NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing top-40 guard JJ Starling top 5 teams

Another top-50 NCAA Basketball guard prospect is closer to making a decision. This time it’s JJ Starling, a consensus four-star recruit in the 2022 class that 247sportsComposite has inside the top-40 overall.

Starling is a 6’4 playmaker that is comfortable playing both on and off the ball on the perimeter, while also having the size to defend just about any opposing guard as well. He’s an all-around versatile talent with a high basketball IQ and projects to be a power conference starter for multiple years.

After scheduling a few visits a week ago, Starling has now officially listed a group of finalists, including a couple of perceived “favorites” in the mix. A decision could be coming in a couple of months so keep an eye on what happens with this recruitment.

But for now, here’s a closer look at what each program has to offer Starling and what the overall situations are.

Duke Blue Devils

The Blue Devils always have various recruiting scenarios, since they typically get multiple five-star prospects in each class. And they have future head coach Jon Scheyer on the trail already landing several commitments, including five-star shooting guard/wing Dariq Whitehead, as well as five-star big man Kyle Filipowski and top-50 guard Jaden Schutt.

What they don’t have yet is a point guard commit and assuming that target Anthony Black goes elsewhere, Starling is the only high-level ball-handler left for Duke to get unless they go after someone not currently on their radar. He can come to the Blue Devils for the opportunity to run the offense but he may have to play behind Jeremy Roach if he doesn’t go pro after next season. It’s a big name but the path to playing time is a bit uncertain, even for a top-40 recruit like Starling.