Duke’s latest recruiting win may have come with a little extra juice attached.
When 5-star small forward Asa Montgomery announced Wednesday that he was committing to the Blue Devils, the moment did more than give Jon Scheyer another top-tier addition in the 2027 class. It also sparked plenty of buzz around 5-star center Yann Kamagate, who left a comment under Montgomery’s post that had Duke fans looking ahead fast.
Montgomery, a Top 10 overall prospect in the 2027 recruiting class, is now the third commitment in Duke’s 2027 group. He joins 5-star Kager Knueppel and Australian point guard Luke Paul, giving Scheyer another loaded foundation to work with.
The bigger-picture move now shifts Duke’s focus toward the top of the 2028 board, where Kamagate sits at No. 1 in the composite and Colton Hiller is No. 2 overall. Hiller is the name Duke has been trying to pull into next season’s roster through reclassification, and he remains the program’s top priority at the moment.
Kamagate, though, is the other prize. The 7-foot, 230-pound center out of La Canada Flintridge, California, has already made himself one of the most sought-after players in the country.
He’s described as a two-way force with elite feel, massive athleticism, and the kind of length that can wipe out the paint on defense. He also moves like he isn’t anywhere near 7 feet tall.
After Montgomery’s Duke commitment, Kamagate’s comment caught attention immediately: “Yeah Scheyer let’s get him to Durham pic.twitter.com/7s85pgjy75”
That’s the kind of line that gets recruiting boards buzzing, especially when it comes from a player with Kamagate’s profile.
Duke offered Kamagate over the summer, making him the second offer Scheyer sent out in the 2028 class behind Hiller. The Blue Devils also recently extended offers to guard Josiah Rose and wing Mason Collins, giving them four total offers in that cycle. And at Duke, those offers are not handed out lightly.
For now, Arizona and BYU appear to be the strongest competition for Duke. But Kamagate’s recruitment is wide open enough that several heavy hitters are still in the mix, including Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan, North Carolina, Texas, and USC.
If Duke gets the outcome it wants, the dream scenario is straightforward: land Hiller and get the reclass, then keep building around Kamagate as the centerpiece of the 2028 class. Montgomery’s commitment already gave the Blue Devils another major piece. Kamagate’s comment made clear why the ceiling may still be climbing.
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Asa Montgomery Commitment Creates A New Duke Roster Debate
Dukes 2027 recruiting picture changed quickly when Asa Montgomery, a 5-star forward ranked No. 8 overall in the class, announced for the Blue Devils. The commitment immediately pushed Dukes class from No. 39 to No. 9 in the 247Sports Composite Rankings, a jump that reflects both Montgomerys national profile and the kind of momentum a program can build when it lands an elite piece early.
What makes the addition especially intriguing is the fit. Montgomery brings versatility and defensive ability, traits Duke has long valued in high-end forwards, and he had taken official visits to several other schools before settling on Durham. His pledge gives the Blue Devils a major foundation in 2027, but it also leaves the next roster debate hanging in the air as Duke continues shaping how this class will come together. [Read more 🡒]
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Duke Fans Suddenly Have A New Reason To Watch Jon Scheyer
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If Scheyer ever does decide to make that jump, one possible successor has already entered the discussion in a familiar way. Jai Lucas, now Miamis head coach and a former Duke assistant, was mentioned as a candidate to eventually take over the Blue Devils, and an ESPN insider has even speculated about him as a future option. For now, it is just conversation, but it gives Duke followers another reason to keep an eye on both Scheyers next moves and the coaching tree around him. [Read more 🡒]