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.
2020 top-55 prospect Mark Williams thrives during Peach Jam
Four-star center Mark Williams had an outstanding Peach Jam, producing a double-double over five games. The 7-0, 225 pounder averaged 15.4 points per game on 55.9% shooting to go along with 10.2 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game.
The Norfolk (VA) native is ranked among the top 40 players in his class by 247Sports (No. 35), 247Sports Composite (No. 37) and ESPN (No. 32). Rivals only have him slated at No.51 in their rankings.
Williams is not overly explosive athletically, but he possesses a nice blend of length, strength, and mobility. He plays with a tremendous motor and can defend multiple positions. Rebounding and shot-blocking are his two biggest strengths at this point. Offensively, he is limited to finishing around the rim though he is developing as a face-up scorer, ball-handler and passer.
Williams holds 23 scholarship offers overall. UCLA, Ohio State, Stanford, West Virginia, Baylor, and Vanderbilt are among the other offers that he has received. Stanford and Duke are considered the favorites to obtain the Norfolk Academy product with UCLA also a possibility. Williams has yet to make any official visits, although he has taken an unofficial visit to Duke and spoke to Steve Clark of the Devils’ Den about the visit.
“Coach K said I could potentially be a multi-year player. But he wanted to make it clear that he didn’t want that to be offensive in any way, he just wanted to be clear because he said they thought they could help me develop even more than I already have. He said that I’m pretty long and athletic so he’s not worried about my weight or anything like that, he talked more about helping me develop in other ways. He said he would want me to just do what I do best. He said he wouldn’t want to limit me to just playing in the post, but he felt like I could make an impact all over in different ways and he also said that he liked my ability to play defense and make plays for my team.”
Duke is projected to have two more roster spots for next season available after receiving verbal commits from Jeremy Roach and Jalen Johnson. The Blue Devils are in desperate need to add a big man or two in this upcoming recruiting unless Vernon Carey and/or Matthew Hurt do not leave for the NBA. They are favorites to land five-star center Walker Kessler.
Duke offers Henry Coleman
The Blue Devils have also offered three other players recently. Henry Coleman III (Richmond, VA) was the most recent player of the trio to receive an offer from Duke on July 14. Coleman is a consensus four-star prospect who is among the top-50 players in 2020. He is ranked 42nd by ESPN, 47th by Rivals, 39th by 247Sports Composite and 33rd by 247Sports. He holds 31 offers after receiving overtures from Michigan (July 17), Arizona State (July 14), and Florida State (July 9).
The 6-6, 220-pound forward is powerfully built and can play either the three or four. He is a two-way player who is tough and physical with his biggest strength being rebounding and possessing a high motor.
Coleman told Chris Balas of The Wolverine that he plans to have a top-eight probably after the LA period and then take five officials off of that. Duke is currently seen as the favorite for Coleman with Michigan, NC State, Virginia, and Virginia Tech is the other top options. But we shall see who lists as his top eight.
Banchero and 2020 four-star point guard D.J. Steward (Oak Park, IL) are the other players to grab an offer from Duke in the past week.
Four-star Lance Ware receives offer from Wolverines
The Michigan Wolverines also offered 2020 four-star power forward Lance Ware on July 17. Head coach Juwan Howard and his assistants kept a close eye on Ware at the Peach Jam where the 6-8, 215-pounder averaged 14 points and six caroms. Ware has made a couple of trips to UM’s campus a few times, including once for the College Practice Camp last year.
Ware holds 19 offers with Georgia Tech, Louisville, Providence, and Georgetown being among those programs. Clemson, Michigan, North Carolina, and Providence are among his top-four, per Balas. The Camden (NJ) native is expected to cut his list sometime this month and set official visits up shortly thereafter. He is expected to sign sometime in November.
Other recruiting tidbits:
- Kansas offered 2021 four-plus star point guard Kennedy Chandler (Memphis, TN) on July 16. He holds 35 offers overall.
- Georgia offered 2021 five-star forward Michael Foster (Milwaukee, WI) on July 16. Foster holds 18 offers overall.
- 2020 five-star Cam’Ron Fletcher trimmed his list to five on July 16 and is down to Michigan State, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, and Alabama.
- Kansas offered 2021 Canadian big man Javonte Brown on July 17.
- Top-30 2021 Zion Harmon (Bowling Green, KY) picked up an offer from Kansas on July 17. Harmon holds 10 offers and has been on unofficial visits to Louisville and Murray State recently.
- 2020 power forward Giancarlo Rosado (West Palm Beach, FL) received his 13 D-I offer from Southern Illinois on July 17.
- 2020 Polk State College (FL) guard Tekorian Smith received an offer from ETSU on July 17.