Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball: Another Prediction Surfaces for VJ Edgecombe

Some view Duke basketball as the favorite to land VJ Edgecombe, but others see it differently.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
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Longtime Duke basketball recruiting target VJ Edgecombe, No. 5 on the 247Sports 2024 Composite, plans to decide on a college sometime between now and the end of his senior season at Long Island Lutheran (N.Y.). The Blue Devils are among the three finalists, along with Kentucky and Baylor, that he revealed on Wednesday night.

On Thursday afternoon, after the 247Sports Crystal Ball for the 6-foot-5, 180-pound five-star guard's recruitment had been without any action since early November, another prediction appeared. And the pick aligns with the previous three, all painting Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer and his gang as the frontrunner.

It's worth pointing out that the latest Edgecombe forecast came from Colby Giacubeno, who has correctly identified the winner in 36 of the 37 now-completed battles that he's predicted in the 2024 cycle.

That said, also on Thursday afternoon, Burner Ball recruiting insider "Trilly Donovan" broke down the race and suggested Duke may no longer be the program to beat:

"If this recruitment ended three weeks ago, I think Duke would've been the pick. Edgecombe visited during their Countdown to Craziness event, where the Blue Devils were able to secure commitments from Cooper Flagg and Pat Ngongba. There was some belief Edgecombe would complete the trio, but nothing materialized in the weeks following. Duke is still very much in the picture, but they've lost momentum from the visit."

Given the above conflicting outlooks, there's still no telling whether or not the Blue Devils like their chances to reel in the explosive perimeter talent.

Meanwhile, Scheyer and his staff enjoy the nation's top-ranked 2024 class, consisting of five early signees ranking in the top 60 among their peers. The impressive haul includes the nation's No. 1 prep, Montverde Academy (Fla.) forward Cooper Flagg.

Duke's Jon Scheyer Watches Cooper Flagg Deliver Filthy Dunk

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com for more on the ongoing VJ Edgecombe sweepstakes and other Duke basketball recruiting news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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