The announcement of 2014 shooting guard Grayson Allen was positive news for the Duke Blue Devil’s next recruiting class but realistically and optimistically it isn’t even the high point.
That isn’t to dismiss Allen’s commitment that came late last week. The 6-foot-4, four-star shooting guard out of Jacksonville, Florida, isn’t exactly chop liver. Allen is an athletic and crafty offensive player who is every bit parts JJ Redick, Jon Scheyer and Seth Curry combined, and more athletic to boot.
Now I’m not suggesting he is better than any three of those guys right now, but he certainly has a high ceiling and a very high skill set that should fit in nicely with Duke’s offense. Still Allen isn’t even the top target for the Blue Devils 2014 class which features the No. 1 Jahlil Okafor.
Okafor is considered among many to be the best prospect in the class and Duke is hot on his tail and in a good position to land the 6-foot-10, 270-pound big man out of Chicago. The Blue Devils have had success recruiting the Chicago area, most notably landing Jabari Parker in the class of 2013.
Okafor though would be the first real big man prospect who appears ready to come in and contribute in the post right away. The last player Duke had who fit that bill was probably Shelden Williams. Okafor has a whos who of suitors but you better believe the Blue Devils are pulling out all the stops to land the big man.
One of the deciding factors could be the decision of Duke’s other top target, point guard Tyus Jones who is said to be very high on the Blue Devils. Jones has been put in the same category as some of the elite point guards to come out of high school in recent years and with Mike Krzyzewski’s track record with point guards you have to like Duke’s chances.
Jones is the kind of talent that could walk on campus and be a starter day one. His friendship with Okafor could be an influencing factor as both have said they would be interested in playing together in college. If one or the other chooses Duke it could tip the balance for the other one to follow.
That is a scenario that nearly every Duke fan is dreaming of and that the Blue Devils coaching staff is working very hard to bring to fruition.
For the time being the addition of Allen is a good start and as always Duke remains in the mix for many others elite prospects including Okafor and Jones.
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