The Blue Devils, who have started to be linked in earnest to several targets in the transfer portal, have landed their first commitment in 6’9″, 230 lb Drew Scharnowski out of Belmont. Scharnowski is a skilled power forward who can slide to the 5, and if I were a betting man, I would imagine him in a backup role to Pat Ngongba as he comes to the Blue Devils with a similar skillset. As athletic as they come, Scharnowski is also a very adept passer who was one of just 5 players with 60%+ EFG, 17%+ AST, 15%+ REB, 5%+ BLK in the last two seasons—those players are Aday Mara, Tarris Reed, Pat Ngongba, Dylan Faulkner, and Scharnowski. Scharnowski averaged 10.7 points per game, 6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game this past season. Ranked as the 30th prospect in the portal, he provides the Blue Devils with not only a defensive presence but a finisher in the paint who fits Duke’s switching defense.
I still expect the Blue Devils to remain active for a starting power forward and possibly a scoring guard. Linked to Allen Graves out of Santa Clara, who is currently going through the NBA Draft process, and John Blackwell from Wisconsin, who should be visiting Durham tomorrow. If they whiff on either, I expect backup plans for both to already be in place.
