The Blue Devils have gotten used to having a roster littered with former McDonald's All-Americans, and their only two 2015 commits made sure that trend would likely continue for at least another year.
Chase Jeter and Luke Kennard were among those officially named 2015 McDonald's All-Americans Sunday when the honorees were unveiled on a special selection show Wednesday evening on ESPNU. Kennard will play on the East Team with top-ranked recruit Ben Simmons, who is committed to play at Louisiana State next year, and Jeter will play on the West Team with in-state forward Brandon Ingram, who Duke is heavily recruiting. Each squad has 12 of the nation's top players, all of whom will compete on the same floor April 1 at the United Center in Chicago.
Both Jeter and Kennard are ranked in the top 25 nationally by all major recruiting outlets. A 6-foot-10 forward, Jeter is a five-star talent ranked in the top 10 by all major recruiting outlets and known for his athleticism and potential to keep growing and improving as he gains weight and experience. The Las Vegas product currently weighs around 220 pounds, but still manages to hold his own down low because of his motor and raw talent. Jeter committed to Duke Aug. 4, 2014..
Kennard is a Franklin, Ohio, product known for lighting up scoreboards in the state with his sweet shooting and knack for finding different ways to score. The 6-foot-5 guard averaged 40 points and 10.4 rebounds last year and is putting up more eye-popping numbers this season. Kennard is a consensus top-25 recruit, though ESPN still only tabs him as a four-star talent. He committed to Duke very early in the recruiting process March 24, 2014.
Jeter and Kennard both officially signed with the Blue Devils Nov. 12, 2014 and have valuable experience playing for USA Basketball throughout their decorated high-school careers, which should make the transition to the high-profile setting of the McDonald's All-American Game a bit easier.
Duke is still trying to add to its already solid 2015 class and has been heavily pursuing Ingram, a five-star small forward. The Kinston, N.C., native visited the Blue Devils Nov. 15 early in the season and is the only realistic major piece that could be added to Duke's recruiting class at this time. Five-star forward Caleb Swanigan, another McDonald's All-American, technically has the Blue Devils on their list, but most believe he will end up at Michigan State and has seen his interest in Duke dip of late.
Duke might also be in a precarious position waiting on touted freshmen Tyus Jones, Justise Winslow and Jahlil Okafor to announce whether or not they will return for their sophomore campaigns when the season ends. With senior Quinn Cook definitely leaving, depending on whether or not two or more freshmen leave, the Blue Devils might be put in a last-second bind to add another scholarship player late in the process.
For now, though, the core of Duke's next freshman class looks to be solid and will show off its skills against the nation's best April 1 in Chicago.
Keep up with the Blue Zone for all of your Blue Devil recruiting news and Duke basketball coverage as the season progresses.
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