The Duke basketball recruiting board just got a little more interesting, and one of the top names on it has already given Asa Montgomery’s decision a public stamp of approval.
On Wednesday afternoon, St. Francis High School (Calif.) five-star center Yann Kamagate reacted to Montgomery’s commitment to Jon Scheyer and Duke with a short but clear message: "That's the move fam," Kamagate commented on Wednesday afternoon in response to a social media post revealing Montgomery's decision to commit to Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer and suit up for the Blue Devils next season.
Kamagate’s response matters because he’s not just another name floating around in the recruiting world. The 7-foot, 230-pound junior sits at No. 1 overall on the 247Sports 2028 Composite, though recruiting experts have noted in recent months that he could potentially reclassify into the 2027 class. If that happens, he’d be right in the mix with the class Duke is trying to build.
His offer list already reflects that kind of status. Duke got in early with an offer in early July, but the Blue Devils are far from alone. Arizona, BYU, Kansas, Kentucky and UNC are among the more than two dozen schools chasing him.
247Sports director of basketball scouting Adam Finkelstein pointed to Kamagate’s unique profile back in June, when the big man was surging in the rankings. "Kamagate has glaring size and athleticism, but he's different from most young and athletic big men for a few key reasons," Finkelstein noted. "First, he has soft hands at an early stage...the foundation for a lot of potential future development.
"Second, he's very mobile - not just in terms of running in straight lines but being able to fluidly change direction and cover the court. Third, he's shown a rapid learning curve..."
Duke is also still in the mix for another elite prospect who could end up sliding into the same class. Coatesville Area High School (Pa.) junior small forward Colton Hiller, a 6-foot-6, 210-pound five-star ranked just behind Kamagate on the 247Sports 2028 Composite, has recently taken official visits to Duke and Florida.
He has also said in recent weeks that he is still considering a reclassification to 2027. If he goes that route, he would need to spend at least two years in college, since he did not turn 16 until June and will not be eligible for the NBA Draft until 2029.
For now, Duke’s 2027 class includes Montgomery, Wisconsin Lutheran High School five-star power forward Kager Knueppel and Australian point guard Luke Paul, who is projected as a 2028 first-round draft pick. That group currently ranks No. 5 nationally, according to 247Sports.
In Other News...
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 🡒]