INDIANAPOLIS - APRIL 05: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski and the Duke Blue Devils mascot celebrate after their 61-59 win against the Butler Bulldogs during the 2010 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 5, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)Duke pulled off yet another massive recruiting victory on Thursday when Vernon Carey Jr., the No. 2 prospect in the nation for 2019, announced his commitment to Coach K’s team.
But more than giving the Duke Class of 2019 the marquee player they so craved, Carey’s commitment re-affirmed just how dominant Duke’s recruiting efforts have been over the last decade-plus.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Borzello, Carey’s commitment marked the twelfth commitment from a top-three recruiting prospect since 2007 – a full eight more than any other college basketball program.
Just this past year, Duke added two top-three prospects when they landed No. 1 RJ Barrett and No. 2 Cam Reddish.
With Vernon Carey committing, Duke has now landed 12 top-three commits since 2007 — eight more than any other program.
(Via @ESPNStatsInfo)
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) December 6, 2018
The Class of 2017 had No. 1 overall prospect Marvin Bagley III, who earned ACC Player of the Year honors in his one year at Duke. He was drafted second overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 2018 NBA Draft.
In 2016, Duke landed Harry Giles – No. 2 in the nation – who also now plays for the Kings.
Other top-three prospects the Blue Devils have secured include Brandon Ingram and Jahlil Okafor.
