Duke’s 2028 recruiting board picked up another major name Thursday, and this one comes from the Blue Devils’ own backyard in the Midwest.
While in Illinois for recruiting work, fifth-year Duke head coach Jon Scheyer extended an offer to Bolingbrook High School junior combo guard Brady Pettigrew, giving Duke its fifth offer in the 2028 cycle. Pettigrew announced the news on social media, writing, "After a great conversation with Coach Scheyer and [Duke basketball associate head coach Emanuel Dildy]," Pettigrew noted, "I'm blessed to receive an offer from Duke University!!"
Pettigrew has already become one of the most heavily pursued prospects in the class, with more than 35 offers already on the table. The 6-foot-4, 185-pound five-star sits at No. 12 overall in the 247Sports 2028 Composite, while also checking in as the No. 1 combo guard and the top player in Illinois.
The Duke offer does not come out of nowhere. Pettigrew was among the 2028 prospects who heard from the Blue Devils soon after college coaches were first permitted to contact players in the class in mid-June. That early traction shows Duke has been monitoring him closely for a while.
And the résumé keeps building. Pettigrew’s spring and summer run with Bradley Beal Elite in Nike EYBL action was a big one: 23.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.4 steals per game, plus a scorching 46.2 percent shooting from three-point range.
247Sports national recruiting analyst Eric Bossi described Pettigrew this way: "At a shade over 6-foot-3 with a solidly built 185-pound frame, Pettigrew plays a mature game based on good decision-making and taking what is offered," Bossi said. "He likes to hit mid-range shots, takes advantage of driving lanes and does a good job of moving the ball via the pass. He's a cerebral player on both ends with solid base of skills."
Duke’s 2028 board already includes four other full-fledged targets: St. Francis High School (Calif.) five-star center Yann Kamagate, Coatesville Area High School (Pa.) five-star small forward Colton Hiller, Faith Family Academy (Texas) five-star point guard Josiah Rose, and The Tatnall School (Del.) five-star small forward Mason Collins. Kamagate and Hiller, who are ranked No. 1 and No. 2 overall in the class, are both possibilities to move up to 2027.
For now, the Blue Devils still do not have a 2028 commitment. Pettigrew is also set to take an official visit to UNC this weekend, a notable stop on a packed itinerary that already includes trips to Michigan, Indiana and Illinois. He also has official visits lined up with Ohio State, Kentucky and Arkansas.
In Other News...
Duke Carries Momentum Into A Notre Dame Test With Bigger Stakes
Duke heads into its regular-season finale at Notre Dame with some real momentum after turning in a strong stretch against two of the ACCs biggest names. The Blue Devils picked up a win over Virginia and followed it with a draw against North Carolina, a stretch that has helped steady the group as it reaches the most important part of the season. Ethan Congleton and Jack Ottley have led the way in points, giving Duke the kind of top-end production it has needed to stay on track.
The bigger picture now is less about finishing the regular season and more about what the Blue Devils can take into postseason play, and the test at Alumni Stadium arrives with that in mind. Duke is still managing several injuries, which adds another layer of importance to how it handles this final tune-up against Notre Dame. Even with the lineup uncertainty, the recent form suggests the Blue Devils have given themselves a chance to carry something useful into the tournament run. [Read more 🡒]
Sebastian Wilkins Is Becoming A Quietly Important Piece For Duke
Sebastian Wilkins arrived at Duke a year early after reclassifying for the 2025 roster, then took a patient path through his first season as a redshirt. Now in his second year in the program, he has moved into a meaningful role off the bench, giving the Blue Devils a flexible option as they sort out their rotation and look for dependable minutes behind the starters.
Through exhibition play, Wilkins has been producing 21 minutes, 9 points and 5 rebounds a game, a sign that his game is translating into real trust from the staff. Jon Scheyer has pointed to Wilkins attitude and versatility, and that combination appears likely to keep him in the mix as Duke leans on him as a backup on the wing and at the four spot. [Read more 🡒]
Duke Commitment Has Fans Wondering About Jon Scheyers Next Big Prize
Asa Montgomerys commitment gave Duke another early jolt on the recruiting trail, adding a five-star small forward and top-10 prospect in the 2027 class to a group that is already starting to take shape. It also reinforces how far ahead Jon Scheyer is thinking, with the Blue Devils building momentum around elite talent before those classes even fully arrive on campus.
The next questions now turn to the 2028 board, where Duke is in the mix for Colton Hiller and Yann Kamagate. Hiller could potentially reclassify into 2027, which would change the timing of Dukes plans, while Kamagate, a highly ranked 7-foot center, already has a Duke offer and remains a target for several major programs. For Scheyer, the challenge is not just landing one blue-chip name, but staying positioned for whichever direction the class takes next. [Read more 🡒]