Future Duke Basketball Flamethrower Among 'Top 2024 Rising Players'

Duke basketball signee Darren Harris should be in line for a rankings bump.

Matt Giles | Dec 27, 2023

Photo credit: Ricardo Rolon-USA TODAY NETWORK

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Duke Blue Devils

It's safe to say that Paul VI Catholic (Va.) wing Darren Harris, the first of now-five pieces to the Duke basketball program's top-ranked 2024 recruiting class, has lived up to his billing as a four-star prospect. One could argue the 6-foot-6, 195-pound senior has proved deserving of a fifth star by his name.

Last week, Harris, No. 57 overall on the 247Sports 2024 Composite, successfully defended his title in net-whipping fashion at the City of Palms Classic 3-Point Shootout.

A few days later at that premier holiday prep tournament in Fort Myers, Fla., he scored 25 points, shooting 4-for-9 from downtown to power a win in the third-place game.

Darren Harris is, in my opinion, the most underrated player in the class of 2024 and one of its better shooters.

The Duke commit scored an efficient 25 points against Link Academy last night, and looked as dynamic as always off the catch, and attacking closeouts. pic.twitter.com/0cYevjtzse
— Logan Adams (@LoganPAdams) December 24, 2023

So, on Christmas Day, it wasn't surprising to see him on the list of 14 "Top 2024 Rising Players" that HS Top Recruits posted on social media. Harris, a Paul VI teammate to a fellow future Blue Devil in five-star 2024 center Patrick Ngongba II (out of commission with a foot injury), checks in at No. 8 among the following group:

My Top 2024 Rising Players (Dec)

1. Boogie Fland
2. Billy Richmond
3. Daquan Davis
4. Labaron Philon
5. Donnie Freeman
6. Rakease Passmore
7. Ahmad Nowell
8. Darren Harris
9. Jalen Shelley
10. Somto Cyril
11. Travis Perry
12. Jahki Howard
13. Tahaad Pettiford
14. Darrion Sutton
— HS Top Recruits (@HSTopRecruiting) December 25, 2023

Following Darren Harris' 17-point outing in his squad's opening-round victory at the City of Palms, 247Sports national recruiting expert Travis Branham noted the long-renowned sharpshooter's budding abilities in other areas:

"Harris, a Duke signee, shined in DC last weekend and is continuing to show the expansions he made in his game this offseason. He once was a specialist that would drill shots from three off the catch, but now he has developed his handle and his body and has become a better defender and scorer because of it."

Harris and Ngongba are set to arrive in Durham alongside at least three other Duke basketball recruiting prizes. They're five-star talents: Wisconsin Lutheran forward Kon Knueppel, North Meck (N.C.) wing Isaiah Evans, and the composite No. 1 recruit, Montverde Academy (Fla.) forward Cooper Flagg.

Kentucky May Overtake Duke Recruiters for Top Spot in 2024

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

Published Dec 27, 2023

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.