Duke Basketball: What to expect from the 2017 recruiting class

By Stuart Gill | May 22, 2017

Mar 29, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; McDonald's High School All-American players Wendell Carter Jr. (34) and Gary Trent Jr. (2) who will both be attending Duke University in the fall of 2017 pose for a group photo before the 40th Annual McDonald's High School All-American Game at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

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Mar 11, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski cuts the net after defeating against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the ACC Conference Tournament Final at Barclays Center. Duke Blue Devils won 75-69. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

Alex O’Connell

Alex O’Connell is being overlooked due to the attention the rest of his freshman class has received throughout the past year.

He is ranked No. 84 on ESPN’s Top 100 and comes in a bit smaller than the others at 6-5 and 175 pounds, much like one of last year’s Blue Devils who has now declared for the NBA Draft, Luke Kennard. Kennard is relatively the same height as O’Connell, and he came to Duke weighing just 180 pounds.

As a freshman, he received a healthy amount of playing time, though was far from being the team’s first offensive option, averaging 11.8 points per game. But in his sophomore year, Kennard looked like a completely different player. He gained 20 lbs, and had a new quickness while handling the ball that allowed him to do much more than just shoot. He became Duke’s go-to guy, averaging over 35 minutes and 19.5 points per game.

If Kennard’s career is any indication, O’Connell is a prospect with high potential who is worth putting on the court early in his time at Duke.

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