Good Sign for Duke Basketball in Huge Recruiting Battle
There might be a delay in Duke basketball recruiting target Flory Bidunga deciding on his college destination. Even so, there's still reason to believe the Blue Devils, the 247Sports Crystal Ball favorite, could land the Kokomo (Ind.) rising senior at some point in the first few weeks of August.
Bidunga's finalists are Auburn, Duke, Kansas, and Michigan. But many insiders have viewed it as a two-horse race between Duke and Kansas, the only two schools that hosted the 6-foot-9, 220-pound five-star for an official visit.
Speaking of visits, the fact that Kansas just scheduled an early September official visit from another talented 2024 center, 7-footer Emmanuel Stephen, has some implying it's another sign that Duke is the team to beat for Bidunga.
Renowned national recruiting expert Andrew Slater responded to the news of Stephen's visit on X by posting, "No coincidences in recruiting."
An hour later, Rivals' Rob Cassidy opined, "I'm not sure this suggests Kansas feels it's outside looking in on Flory Bidunga, but it's something to be aware of because Duke and all."
Whichever school comes out on top for Flory Bidunga, No. 4 overall and No. 1 at his position on the 247Sports 2024 Composite, will receive a long-limbed explosive giant who is likely to be a one-and-done lottery pick but first should serve as a game-changer post force in college the season after next.
And no doubt that the Blue Devils, who will see graduate center Ryan Young expire his eligibility next season and likely lose Kyle Filipowski to the pro ranks in the spring, should have ample playing time available at Bidunga's position.
Duke basketball's 2024 class consists of two sharpshooting wings in Paul VI Catholic (Va.) four-star Darren Harris and North Meck (N.C.) five-star Isaiah Evans.
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Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com for more Duke basketball recruiting news.