Duke Is Closing In On A Recruiting Win Fans Have Wanted

Duke's successful recruiting surge looks poised to continue as top prospect Asa Montgomery leans toward joining the Blue Devils ahead of his decision day.

Duke is sitting in the driver’s seat for one of the biggest recruiting prizes in the 2027 class.

With five recruiting experts now on record through the 247Sports Crystal Ball and Rivals Recruiting Prediction Machine, every prediction for Hillgrove High School (Ga.) senior small forward Asa Montgomery points to Jon Scheyer and the Blue Devils. At this stage, that kind of unanimity says plenty about where things appear headed.

Montgomery also isn’t dragging this out much longer. On Monday, the 6-foot-7, 215-pound five-star said on social media that he will announce his college decision at 1:30 p.m.

ET Wednesday. That timing suggests he has likely already settled on his choice.

Duke offered Montgomery in mid-August, when he was ranked No. 28 overall on the 247Sports 2027 Composite. Since then, his stock has climbed sharply. He now sits at No. 8 nationally, No. 3 at his position, and No. 2 in Georgia.

Montgomery’s visit trail has included LSU, Georgia Tech, UConn, UNC, and most recently Duke. His trip to Durham earlier this month lined up with Countdown to Craziness at Cameron Indoor Stadium, and he made an immediate impression with the student section.

During the Blue-White scrimmage, he answered the Cameron Craizes’ “Sit With Us!” invitation, then smiled as he hoisted the Blue Devil baby doll in the air after joining the crowd on their side of the court.

The momentum around Duke started building after that visit.

Montgomery’s rise has been backed by strong play on the circuit as well. He turned heads during summer grassroots action and also stood out with current Duke freshman big man Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje for Team USA at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup. That’s part of what drew praise from 247Sports national director of scouting Adam Finkelstein.

“He has good instincts on both ends of the floor and a nose for the ball defensively,” Finkelstein noted. "Even in FIBA competition, he showed an ability to get his hands on a lot of balls, rebound it well enough to match-up with opposing fours, and be switchable on the ball.

"What’s exciting about Montgomery is that he shows a willingness and ability to do the 'little things' that will help him get on the floor right away at the next level, but also has a clear upside."

Duke’s 2027 class already has two major pieces in Wisconsin Lutheran High School five-star power forward Kager Knueppel, the younger brother of former Blue Devil star and current Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel, and Australian five-star point guard Luke Paul, who committed on Oct. 1 and is projected as a 2028 first round draft pick.

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Duke Fans Have One Huge Reason To Watch Asa Montgomery Today

There is plenty happening around Duke right now, but the spotlight today is on the recruiting trail, where five-star small forward Asa Montgomery is expected to announce his college commitment. For a program that keeps landing in the conversation for elite talent, this is the kind of decision that can shape both the immediate future and the long view, especially with the Blue Devils already carrying momentum from a roster that includes names like Kager Knueppel and Luke Paul.

The timing adds to the buzz, too, with former Duke standouts Cooper Flagg and Cameron Boozer off to strong starts in the NBA and the football program gearing up for a key home game against Boston College during a demanding stretch. Still, for basketball fans, Montgomerys announcement is the headline worth circling, because it could give Duke another major piece to build around and keep the programs talent pipeline rolling. [Read more 🡒]

Duke Freshmen Just Gave Jon Scheyer A Real Rotation Problem

Duke is coming out of preseason with something every coach wants and every rotation chart hates: options. As the Blue Devils get ready to host Army in their regular-season opener, a handful of freshmen have already made the case that they belong in the mix, with Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje, Deron Rippey Jr., Cameron Williams and Bryson Howard all showing different flashes of what they can bring. For Jon Scheyer, the early challenge is less about finding talent than figuring out how to sort through it.

The upside is obvious, but so is the uncertainty that comes with freshmen learning the pace and demands of college basketball. Some of those roles figure to change from game to game as Duke settles in, which gives the staff flexibility but also creates a tricky balancing act once the games start counting. The opener should offer a first real look at how much trust Scheyer is willing to place in that young group right away. [Read more 🡒]

Duke Faces A Real Test As Boston College Brings New Momentum

Boston College is showing up to this Atlantic Coast Conference matchup with a little more life than its record might suggest, and Duke will have to be ready for it. The Eagles have pieced together back-to-back comeback wins, leaning on the kind of late-game resilience that can change the feel of a season, and now they get their first meeting with Duke since 2022 in a game that should tell both teams something.

For the Blue Devils, the timing is interesting after a close win over Virginia, the kind of game that can either sharpen a team or leave it vulnerable if the edge slips. Duke will be watching its own health as well, with Walker Eget expected to play despite a recent finger injury, while Boston College brings Mason McKenzie, Bo MacCormack III and a bit of momentum into a matchup that suddenly looks more demanding than it might have a few weeks ago. [Read more 🡒]