Blue Devil Country

Future Duke Basketball Sharpshooter Turns Some Heads at Peach Jam

Duke basketball commit Darren Harris may boast an underrated hunger for winning.

Matt Giles

Future Duke Basketball Sharpshooter Turns Some Heads at Peach Jam
Future Duke Basketball Sharpshooter Turns Some Heads at Peach Jam /
In this story:

Paul VI Catholic (Va.) small forward Darren Harris, Duke basketball's first of two 2024 pledges, has slightly slid in the rankings recently. The 6-foot-6, 200-pound heralded sharpshooter now sits at No. 66 overall on the 247Sports 2024 Composite, down 13 spots since his commitment to the Blue Devils in October and 18 below his peak.

RELATED: Rumblings of Priority Duke Target Possibly Reclassifying to 2024

Even so, Harris continues to contribute his smooth stroke and effective overall arsenal for winners, whether that be at Paul VI Catholic — the prep powerhouse that has already produced two Duke basketball guards this decade in Jeremy Roach and Trevor Keels — or for Team Takeover (D.C.) on the Nike EYBL circuit.

This week, Harris has a prime opportunity to boost his stock considerably. He could play a key role in Team Takeover, one of the top contenders to win the coveted Peach Jam title on Sunday after finishing with the second-best record in the standings, emerging victorious. 

And they are off to a good start at the premier showcase event in North Augusta, S.C., notching a 64-60 win over Expressions Elite (Mass.) in Monday's opening action. 

Harris, averaging 11.4 points per game entering Peach Jam, was one of only two Team Takeover players to reach double digits in the scoring column against Expressions Elite. With a dozen or so NBA scouts on hand, he tallied 10 points, shooting 3-for-6 from the field and 4-for-5 from the charity stripe in 25 minutes on the floor.

Judging by the following tweet, Darren Harris' opening-day effort at Peach Jam, which included two rebounds and two assists with only one turnover, impressed college basketball analyst Terrence Oglesby:

The four-star prospect's highlight fastbreak poster in the tweet below demonstrates his confident open-floor handles, determination in attacking the basket, and perhaps underrated explosiveness:

As for Harris' teammate and relatively new 2024 Duke basketball target Patrick Ngongba II, the 6-foot-11, 235-pound four-star center (No. 26 composite ranking) totaled nine points, seven boards, and two dimes in the victory.

Ngongba, who also attends Paul VI Catholic, and Harris were the leading scorers for Team Takeover across the four sessions leading up to Peach Jam.

RELATED: Something 'Stood Out' in Patrick Ngongba II's Duke Visit

Their next outing is against Vegas Elite (Nev.) at 4:30 p.m. ET Tuesday.

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com for more Duke basketball recruiting news.

Published
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.

Home/Recruiting