When it comes to elite recruiting battles, few programs are as consistently in the thick of it as Duke. Since taking over for Coach K in 2022, Jon Scheyer has kept the Blue Devils firmly atop the college basketball recruiting hierarchy.
Three No. 1-ranked classes in four years-and a fourth potentially on the way-speak volumes. But even for a program with Duke’s pull, not every blue-chip prospect is a guaranteed lock.
Right now, Scheyer finds himself in a high-stakes recruiting duel for one of the crown jewels of the 2026 class: Jordan Smith Sr. The five-star combo guard is widely regarded as the No. 2 overall prospect in the country and the top player at his position. Simply put, he’s the kind of player who can elevate a program’s ceiling the moment he steps on campus.
But getting Smith to Durham won’t be easy. The competition?
None other than John Calipari-now the head coach at Arkansas-who’s no stranger to winning recruiting wars. Calipari’s 2023 class at Kentucky edged out Duke for the top spot nationally, and he’s looking to make a similar splash in Fayetteville.
Smith has taken official visits to just three schools: Duke, Arkansas, and Kentucky. While the Wildcats remain in the mix, most signs point to this being a two-horse race between the Blue Devils and Razorbacks. And each program has a compelling pitch.
For Scheyer and Duke, the allure is obvious. The Blue Devils are building yet another powerhouse class.
They already have commitments from four elite five-stars: Deron Rippey Jr. (the No. 1 point guard in the class), Cameron Williams (a dynamic power forward), Bryson Howard (a versatile small forward), and Maxime Meyer (a skilled big man with a modern game). Add Smith to that group, and you’re looking at a potential all-freshman starting five that could rival any in recent memory.
But here’s where things get interesting. Rippey’s commitment-while a massive win for Duke-could also complicate the pursuit of Smith.
Both are high-usage guards, and while their games aren’t identical, there’s enough overlap to raise questions. Would Smith want to share a backcourt spotlight with another top-tier guard?
Or might he prefer a situation where he’s the unquestioned lead playmaker?
That’s the challenge Scheyer is facing. Convincing Smith that there’s room for both him and Rippey to thrive in Duke’s system.
That the program’s track record of developing NBA-ready talent speaks louder than any potential positional overlap. And that playing alongside other elite talent can sharpen his game and boost his draft stock.
Of course, Calipari has his own pitch. At Arkansas, Smith would likely have more freedom to run the show, more touches, and a chance to be the face of a program that’s looking to make a serious national push under its new leadership. It's a different kind of opportunity-one that may appeal to a player looking to carve out his own legacy.
Scheyer isn’t backing down, though. He was in attendance at one of Smith’s tournament games over the weekend, making his presence felt and keeping Duke’s interest front and center. And while Smith isn’t expected to announce his decision until late February-or possibly as late as April-the Blue Devils are clearly in it for the long haul.
This is one of those recruiting battles that could shape the trajectory of a program’s next few seasons. If Duke lands Smith, they’ll have arguably the most complete freshman class in the country. If not, Calipari may have just secured a foundational piece for his new era at Arkansas.
Either way, the final stretch of this recruitment is going to be fascinating to watch.