NCAA Basketball: 10 programs poised to land elite 2020 recruiting classes

Duke Blue Devils

Duke is a recruiting powerhouse and it shows every single year. With head coach Mike Krzyzewski as the leader of the program, the Blue Devils are constantly successful both on the court and on the recruiting trail. Now, after landing the No. 2 overall recruiting class for 2019, the program is already off to a scorching start for 2020. With two commits already in tow, Duke holds the No. 2 spot in the 2020 team recruiting rankings behind Virginia and it is difficult to imagine anyone knocking them off the top-5 pedestal. Their class currently features two top-25 prospects and the coaching staff is heavily targeting pieces to place around them.

Jeremy Roach (No. 18) and Jalen Johnson (No. 4) are insanely talented players to build around. Both stars understand the game at a high level and are unique playmakers. Roach, although not an incredible athlete, is an outstanding defender and can score at three levels. Johnson, on the other hand, is a 6-foot-8 small forward with tremendous court vision. He is a unique threat in so many ways and is possibly the perfect player to build around. And considering Duke is likely to send multiple players to the NBA after this coming season, the coaching staff should have plenty of scholarships left to work with for the 2020 class.

At this point in time, the Blue Devils have seven scholarships out to uncommitted prospects. Among these, it seems as though they are favorites to land combo guard DJ Steward (No. 27), power forward Henry Coleman (No. 39), as well as big men Mark Williams (No. 37) and Walker Kessler (No. 16). It seems highly unlikely that all four of these players will eventually sign in Durham but it is reasonable to think that at least two will make their commitment to Duke.

That concludes this look at some of the programs that seem to be in great shape with regards to 2020 recruiting. Of course, many of these teams are bound to hit snags and falter when trying to secure their top commitments, but some might also follow through on landing their top targets and wind up with a highly-rated recruiting class. Only time will tell.

Oh, and don’t think that I forgot about Memphis. I know this is the last line of the article for a shoutout, but the Tigers are arguably the most dangerous program in the country when it comes to recruiting right now. Head coach Penny Hardaway seems to strike fear in the hearts of every other coach in the nation and Memphis should also land a great class. At this point in time, though, it is difficult to determine who they are exactly prioritizing. Coach Penny seems to be scanning the territory before fully launching into a few more recruiting battles.