NCAA Basketball: Predicting best player from top 2021 recruiting classes
By Ian Mumm
4. Duke Blue Devils
Recruiting Class: Paolo Banchero, AJ Griffin, Trevor Keels, and Jaylen Blakes
Duke is approaching this season with a lot of storylines. A combination of draft and transfer decisions early in the offseason has left the Blue Devils with only three of their top eight in last year’s rotation: Wendell Moore, Jeremy Roach, and Mark Williams.
An even greater note is the announcement by Coach K this will be his last season as Duke’s head coach before the torch is given to recruiting ace Jon Scheyer. The lack of immediacy for the move likely helped Duke maintain its streak of top-5 recruiting classes since the 2014 group signed with the program.
Outside of 4-star guard Jaylen Blakes, the Blue Devils signed a trio of 5-stars in Trevor Keels, AJ Griffin, and #2 overall Paolo Banchero. The offseason losses for Duke will ensure that all four of the freshmen will be heavily involved in the rotation next year and have the opportunity to emerge as the next star. To complicate matters of which is most likely to thrive next season, each brings a unique dynamic aspect to the court.
However, Banchero is in line for the likeliest path towards stardom in his first season. Already a monster on the offensive side of the ball, the 6’9” forward is an idyllic representation of modern basketball and the wide-ranging skillsets of frontcourt players. Banchero can easily create shots for himself from the perimeter and has both the acceleration and elevation to play over any defender in the ACC. His production should come naturally next season and he’s in line for national recognition.
Prediction: Paolo Banchero