Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball Signee Excited to Play Alongside 'Generational' Talent

Darren Harris sounds comforted by the idea of soon joining forces with premier Duke basketball recruiting prize Cooper Flagg.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: Amanda Inscore-USA TODAY NETWORK
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It's no secret that Montverde Academy (Fla.) forward Cooper Flagg is the most anticipated Duke basketball addition for next season. The 6-foot-9, 200-pound five-star, who enjoys extreme length and innate instincts across all 94 feet on the court, ranks No. 1 overall on the 247Sports 2024 Composite.

So, how do the other four members of the Blue Devils' top-ranked 2024 class feel about playing next to Flagg?

Well, the first in the cycle to commit to Duke head coach Jon Scheyer and his staff, Paul VI Catholic (Va.) four-star sharpshooter Darren Harris, appeared to be all smiles recently in explaining to Rivals' Krysten Peek that he's thrilled to have Flagg as a future teammate rather than opponent.

After all, in late December, Flagg's Montverde squad, still undefeated and ranking No. 1 among all high school teams in the country, handed Harris and prep powerhouse Paul VI their first of only two losses this season.

"He guarded me most of the game, and it was pretty tough on me," Darren Harris, a repeated 3-point contest champion boasting a No. 57 composite ranking, conceded to Peek about the utterly smothering defense that Cooper Flagg employs. "You know, he's a really good player. He's gifted, generational on both sides of the floor.

"So, to get to practice against that and with that every day in practice next year, it's going to be crazy."

With Flagg, three fellow five-star prospects, and Harris all in tow for Scheyer & Co., there's no doubt the haul is dreamy in the eyes of the Cameron Crazies, Duke basketball's famously rabid student section.

Although Harris was active behind the scenes in helping the Blue Devils reel in the other eventual early signees, including his Paul VI teammate in center Patrick Ngongba II, he suggested to Peek that Duke basketball pretty much sells itself. 

"No, I don't take credit," Harris said. "I mean, Duke is a great program. At the time [of my commitment in October 2022], I knew a lot of great players would come join me because Duke is a great program, like I said. They make a lot of players better...

"I did some of the recruiting myself. But Duke is a historic program. It's kind of hard to turn down."

That could be the case again soon, as the Blue Devils are about to host NBA Academy Africa five-star big man Khaman Maluach, the potential final piece to Scheyer's 2024 collection.

Gigantic Recruit Coming to Next Duke Home Game

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com  for more 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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