Duke Basketball: Top 2019 recruiting targets for the Blue Devils

PF Vernon Carey, University School

The No. 2 recruit in the entire class, this would be the ultimate prize for Coach K heading into the 2019-20 season. A 6-foot-9 power forward from Florida, Vernon Carey has impressed just everybody that has watched him play over the past few years. He is physically built to compete immediately at the college level both inside and on the perimeter. In addition, Carey possesses a unique amount of quickness despite weighing in at 245 pounds. He is simply a mismatch nightmare whenever he is on the court.

While leading University School to the Florida state title, Carey averaged an absurd 26 points, 13 rebounds, and four blocks per game. This was, of course, enough to name him Mr. Basketball in the state. An unbelievable post threat, Carey would follow in the footsteps of many other remarkable Duke big men should he commit to play in Durham.

Carey’s final five includes Duke, Kentucky, Miami, Michigan State and North Carolina. These are all high-profile programs, as you would expect, and whoever snags his commitment will have a dynamite player coming in. As is stands, Duke is the leader in crystal ball predictions at the moment with seven while Miami and Michigan State trail behind with two each.

Next: Updated preseason Bracketology

As per usual, you can expect that Duke basketball will receive commitments from at least a couple of these players. Coach K will need to replace a few “one-and-done” players currently on the roster for 2018-19 and some of these recruits could fit that bill. Following the Blue Devils’ recruiting over the next year will definitely be interesting.