After missing out on the Kevin Knox sweepstakes last Saturday evening when the five-star forward picked Kentucky, the Blue Devils received some much-needed good news a week later, adding a different small forward into the mix.
Four-star forward Jordan Tucker committed to Duke Saturday via Twitter following his official visit to Durham Wednesday and Thursday.
Officially a Duke Blue Devil⚪️‼️ #RiPUncleHev pic.twitter.com/fCpDcWXvZQ
— The Juice Man (@Therealjtucks) May 13, 2017
Just one day after Knox announced his intentions to play in Lexington last weekend, the Blue Devil coaching staff moved to Plan B and offered Tucker a scholarship to fill the void on the wing left by Jayson Tatum's early departure for the NBA. The White Plains, N.Y., native chose Duke over ACC foes Georgia Tech and Syracuse.
Tucker, the No. 40 prospect in the ESPN 100, possesses a sweet shooting stroke for a combo forward—at 6-foot-7, he has smooth footwork and mechanics with a quick release. Tucker shot 39.5 percent from beyond the arc in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League this spring.
At Wheeler High School in Marietta, Ga., Tucker proved that he was capable of scoring from anywhere on the floor, helping to lead the Wildcats to a 21-9 record. Recruiting experts say there is still plenty of room for improvement in his
Tucker played for the New York Rens AAU team, a program directed and coached by former Blue Devil walk-on Andy Borman, who is Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski's nephew.
Although Tucker appears to be a downgrade from Knox, who is ranked ninth in the ESPN 100, he still offers a lot of long-term potential with his ability to hit from distance. Given his physical profile, he will be a tough matchup for most guards and may be too quick for big men to cover. Tucker is unlikely to be a one-and-done, but could get plenty of chances to see the floor next year when the Blue Devils go up against other athletic wings.
Tucker becomes the fifth player in Duke's 2017 recruiting class, joining five-stars Wendell Carter and Gary Trent Jr., four-star shooting guard Alex O'Connell and three-star point guard Jordan Goldwire.
The lone real question mark remaining on Krzyzewski's roster next year is whether Duke will land Trevon Duval, the top point guard in the class. A lot of potential playing time at the point opened up for Duval Friday, when Frank Jackson announced his intentions to remain in the NBA Draft.
The Blue Devils are also still in the mix for five-star center Mohamed Bamba, though Kentucky and Texas appear to be more likely destinations for him.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.