Blue Devil Country

Top Duke Basketball Target Slated to Face 'Other No. 1 Prep'

Potential Duke basketball recruiting prize Cooper Flagg versus AJ Dybantsa will be a must-see event.

Matt Giles

Duke basketball recruiting target Cooper Flagg (Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports)
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Cooper Flagg, a priority Duke basketball visitor this weekend, sits at No. 1 on the 247Sports 2024 Composite. The recently reclassified AJ Dybantsa, who has drawn some Blue Devil interest but hasn't reported an offer from second-year head coach Jon Scheyer, now ranks No. 1 in 2025.

On Jan. 14 in Springfield, Mass., the two top-of-their-class prospects will square off when Flagg's prep powerhouse Montverde Academy (Fla.) meets Dybantsa's arguably equally loaded Prolific Prep (Calif.) squad, insider Samad Hines reported on Tuesday.

As one can see in the video below from Stephen Curry's camp in August, the battle won't be the first time Flagg and Dybantsa — both listed as 6-foot-9, 200-pound small forwards — have been on the same floor:

However, as Hines noted, it will mark the first meeting between Montverde Academy and Prolific Prep.

Cooper Flagg, who reclassified from 2025 to 2024 and has held an offer from the Blue Devils since May 2022, was in Durham for an unofficial visit in early August. That was the first trip anywhere in his recruitment.

Duke, his "dream school" as a kid, still looks like the frontrunner. But reigning national champ UConn is the other program that has hosted Flagg for a visit (an official in mid-September, when Flagg attended Duke football's win at UConn). And the Huskies haven't backed down.

RELATED: Announcer Predicts UConn to Land Premier Duke Target

Many insiders have noted he'll likely decide on a winner shortly after his Duke basketball visit, where he'll attend Countdown to Craziness in Cameron Indoor Stadium alongside two fellow 2024 Blue Devil targets in five-star shooting guard VJ Edgecombe and five-star big man Patrick Ngongba II.

However, Flagg hasn't officially confirmed any decision timeframe yet.

Duke Recruit Mixtape: 'Pledge Allegiance to the Flagg'

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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