Scheyer's Top Duke Target Makes Surprise Announcement

Asa Montgomery, a rising star in high school basketball, is set to announce his college decision, marking the culmination of a closely watched recruitment journey.

One of the fastest-rising prospects in the 2027 class is about to come off the board.

Four-star small forward Asa Montgomery has set his commitment for Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. ET, bringing his recruitment to a close after official visits to LSU, Duke, Georgia Tech, North Carolina and UConn.

The 6-foot-7, 215-pound standout from Powder Springs (Ga.) Hillgrove is No. 14 in the latest rankings, a massive climb of 28 spots that has pushed him into the top tier of the class.

Montgomery’s rise has been one of the biggest storylines in the 2027 cycle. He now has five official visits behind him and will choose from the programs that hosted him as he prepares to announce his college decision.

The evaluation on Montgomery shows why the buzz has built so quickly. He was viewed in two sharply different settings this summer: in the EYCL, he operated as a high-usage scorer with a full green light, putting up 27.9 points per game on 54/34/76 shooting to go with 10.2 rebounds, 3 assists and 3.3 stocks, including 1.4 steals and 1.9 blocks. With USA Basketball, he leaned into a different role, bringing energy, offensive rebounding, cutting, defensive versatility and playmaking in a pressure-heavy system, even while he was notably hesitant to let it fly at times.

That contrast offers a clear look at what Montgomery can become. At 6-foot-6 with a 6-foot-10 wingspan and a naturally broad frame, he projects as a combo forward who is still evolving from a stretch-four look into a bigger wing. He’s a powerful vertical athlete who finishes well off two feet, has strong timing in transition and as a cutter, and brings enough shooting touch to space the floor, attack closeouts, work from the midpost and crash the glass.

Defensively, Montgomery’s instincts stand out. He tracks the ball well, gets his hands into plays and rebounds effectively enough to hold his own against opposing fours. He’s also shown switchability on the perimeter and a willingness to do the kinds of things that help him earn minutes early.

There’s still room for his game to grow, and that’s part of the appeal. He’s very young for his grade and won’t turn 18 until July after his senior year, leaving plenty of time for his scoring and skill package to keep developing into what could be a versatile two-way threat.

In Other News...

Virginias Upset Hopes Just Got Tougher Ahead Of Wake Forest

Virginia heads into its road matchup with No. 14 Wake Forest carrying a thinner margin for error than it would like, and the injury picture only adds to the challenge. Wide receiver Jekail Middlebrook is among the unavailable pieces, leaving Tony Elliott to navigate a difficult week as his offense tries to keep pace against a ranked opponent in a tough environment.

Elliott praised Wake Forests performance during his midweek press conference, but he also voiced confidence in the work his own team has put in. Still, the opening availability report is a reminder that Virginia may have to adjust on the fly, with multiple wide receiver injuries clouding the setup ahead of a game already stacked against the Cavaliers. [Read more 🡒]

Thijs De Ridder Just Raised Virginias Ceiling Even Higher

Thijs De Ridder keeps turning offseason buzz into something sturdier for Virginia. After earning All-ACC first-team honors last season, he has now been tabbed for the 2027 National Association of Basketball Coaches Division I Player of the Year Preseason Watch List, another sign that the Cavaliers enter the year with real top-end talent and not just promising depth. He is also one of two Virginia players to earn preseason ACC Player of the Year recognition, which says plenty about how opposing coaches view the ceiling in Charlottesville.

The watch list itself is another layer of attention on a player already expected to carry a big load for the Cavaliers. The award will be decided by Division I head coaches and announced during the week of the 2027 Mens Final Four, so there is a long runway ahead for De Ridder to build on last season and strengthen his case. For Virginia, the bigger takeaway is simple: if he takes another step, the teams ambitions could rise with him. [Read more 🡒]

Virginia Faces A Make-Or-Break Test With One Huge Offensive Decision

Virginia heads into a tricky matchup with No. 14 Wake Forest sitting at 4-4, and the offense is clearly searching for a better rhythm at exactly the wrong time to be searching. Des Kitchings said the Cavaliers are looking to lean more on heavier personnel, with extra tight ends helping both the ground game and the play-action package as Virginia tries to find a more stable identity.

The quarterback picture is just as important, because Tony Elliott is still sticking with Pribula despite the recent struggles that have made every series feel more consequential. Eli Holstein remains there as an alternative if the Cavaliers decide they need a different look, but for now Virginia is trying to pair a more physical approach up front with the same starter under center against one of the tougher opponents on the schedule. [Read more 🡒]