Jon Scheyer and his staff at Duke are still building out their 2026 recruiting class, but they’re not waiting around to get a head start on 2027. With two 5-star prospects already committed for ’26, the Blue Devils are turning their attention to the next wave of elite talent-and at the top of that list is CJ Rosser.
Scheyer was courtside at the John Wall Holiday Invitational in Raleigh, North Carolina, recently to get a firsthand look at Rosser, the No. 1 overall player in the 2027 class according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings. And he wasn’t alone. Coaches from UNC, NC State, Michigan, Georgetown, Louisville, Mississippi State, and more were all in attendance, underscoring just how much buzz Rosser is generating this early in his high school career.
At 6-foot-10 and 195 pounds, Rosser is already flashing the kind of shot-making ability and two-way potential that gets high-major programs lining up. He’s a long, fluid power forward with a developing frame and a skill set that’s well ahead of the curve for his age. Originally from Rocky Mount, North Carolina, Rosser began his high school career at Northern Nash before transferring to Southeastern Prep in Florida for his junior season-a move he says is already paying dividends.
“It’s been going pretty good,” Rosser said of the transition. “I’m meeting new teammates who are high-level players, just competing every day.
As iron sharpens iron, they are helping me get better every day. I’ve grown with my consistency, really.
I’m getting better at defense and I’m getting stronger.”
Back in his home state for the holiday tournament, Rosser didn’t just show out-he hit a major career milestone by scoring his 1,000th high school point. That kind of production, combined with his upside, is why he’s already on the radar of blueblood programs.
Before taking the court in Raleigh, Rosser made an unofficial visit to North Carolina, where he watched the Tar Heels dominate East Carolina in a 99-51 win. The visit clearly left an impression.
“It went really well,” Rosser said. “I enjoyed it a whole lot-the atmosphere and the crowd going and everything like that. I really like their playing style.”
Duke, meanwhile, hosted Rosser for an unofficial visit back in February, though the Blue Devils haven’t yet extended a formal offer. Florida State also recently welcomed him to campus. As of now, Rosser holds offers from UNC, NC State, Louisville, Arkansas, Kentucky, and several others.
It’s still early in the 2027 cycle, but the race for Rosser is already heating up. He’s the kind of player who can shift the trajectory of a recruiting class and, potentially, a program. Whether Duke jumps into the mix with an offer remains to be seen, but Scheyer’s presence at the John Wall Invitational is a clear sign that the interest is very real.
In the meantime, Duke fans have another big date circled on the recruiting calendar. Five-star guard Deron Rippey Jr. is set to announce his college decision on December 30, choosing between Duke, Texas, Tennessee, NC State, and Miami. The Blue Devils are widely seen as the frontrunner, and a commitment from Rippey would give Scheyer another cornerstone piece in what’s shaping up to be a loaded 2026 class.
But make no mistake-eyes are already on 2027. And CJ Rosser is the name to know.