NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Top 2021 prospect Jonathan Kuminga grabs Duke offer
Top NCAA Basketball prospect from 2021 class Jonathan Kuminga picks up an offer from Duke.
Impressive 2021 NCAA Basketball prospect Jonathan Kuminga’s recruiting had been at standstill for quite a while. However, that changed all when Kuminga, the consensus No. 1 player in the class, picked up an offer from Duke on July 16. He announced the Duke overture via his twitter account, saying that he was “Blessed and grateful to have received an offer from coach K and Duke University”
Duke’s offer was the first that Kuminga had received since mid-June when Nebraska officially got involved and just the third this year. The 6-8, 210-pound forward currently holds 25 offers overall which include a number from high major programs including Kentucky, Auburn, Arizona State, Alabama, Connecticut, Illinois, LSU, Marquette, Maryland, Memphis, St. John’s, and Texas Tech among others.
Kuminga is a five-star prospect that is rated as the top player in 2021 by 247Sports, 247Sports Composite and Rivals. ESPN has him ranked second in their rankings.
Kuminga is a physical specimen who relies heavily on his athleticism, length, and versatility. At this point, he is mainly a slasher and rebounder. Although he also has shown the ability to guard multiple positions as well as block shots.
Kuminga was dominant at the recently concluded Peach Jam where he was selected as the “Best Rising Junior” by Rivals Eric Bossi after leading the NY Rens to the quarterfinals. The 16-year-old averaged 27.4 points and 6.0 rebounds in five games. He compiled 34 points and collected six rebounds in Friday’s contest against Team Final.
Despite the fact that the Blue Devils offer is a little later than others, Duke has been on the Congo national since early in the process. Kuminga even got to see the Blue Devils in action last year at Madison Square Garden according to 247Sports’ John Watson.
"“When they played St John’s here, I went to go see them play and you know with Coach K, he knows my coach Andy Borman.I’ve heard a lot from people that I should think about playing for Duke because they are good guys there and they really coach you to get you better. They don’t babysit you, they tell you what you need to know that will help you with your future. It’ll be a big move for me if they are interested.”"
Kuminga is the fourth player from the class of 2021 to receive a scholarship offer from Duke, joining A.J. Grifffin Jr., Paola Banchero, Patrick Baldwin Jr., and Terrence Clarke being the others. Texas Tech, St. John’s, Duke, Nebraska, and Kentucky appear to have the upper hand on his recruitment at this point.