Blue Devil Country

One Explanation for No Duke Basketball Commits on 2025 Trail

Duke basketball is by no means the only powerhouse with an empty recruiting class.

Matt Giles

Duke basketball recruiting targets Cayden Boozer and Cameron Boozer
Duke basketball recruiting targets Cayden Boozer and Cameron Boozer / Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
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By this juncture in each of Jon Scheyer's first three recruiting cycles as head coach, his Duke basketball staff had already set the foundation for a top-shelf haul via at least a couple of prized pledges.

The 2025 recruiting arena is telling a different story — not just for the Blue Devils, though.

Only one prospect sitting among the top 20 on the 247Sports 2025 Composite has come off the board. And it was only last week when that lone five-star commit, IMG Academy (Fla.) guard Darius Acuff Jr., announced his allegiance to Arkansas.

ALSO READ: Premier 2025 Point Guard Acaden Lewis Ready for Blue Devil Tour

As Travis Branham proposed on this week's episode of the 247Sports College Basketball Show, the increasing opportunities to cash in on one's brand beginning in high school has effectively applied the brakes on early decisions among high-profile talents.

In other words, the incentive to essentially tease college fanbases is now off the charts.

"In the day of NIL, it is absolutely to the player's advantage, whether it's by design by the player, their people around them, or specifically their agents, it plays into their hands to leverage this," Branham opined, "and put on as many schools as possible, garner as many offers as possible — especially from the bluebloods — and keep people believing that there is more than just two or three schools involved.

"And I believe that that is a reason why this...has been the slowest recruiting cycle I have ever seen in my five years of being here."

So, it's true that the 13-deep Duke basketball offer sheet has yet to yield a win for Jon Scheyer and his cohorts, not even from the heralded prep named after the school's Cameron Indoor Stadium in Columbus High School (Fla.) five-star forward Cameron Boozer.

At the same time, though, it shouldn't come as a surprise that all 13 targets remain undecided, and only one has formally cut the Blue Devils from a list.

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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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