Duke basketball recruiting roundup: 2012-2014 classes

By Taylor Ostrick — Duke as always is in the midst of recruiting  many different players from various classes.  Coach K and the rest of the staff have been hard at work, attempting to get some of the top players in the country to come to Durham and play for the Blue Devils.  With all the rumors that go around, following recruting can sometimes be confusing for a fan so here is a basic rundown of the players that Duke is actively recruiting in the 2012-2014 classes.

Class of 2012:  Commitments (1)- Rasheed Sulaimon #11. 

Offers (3)- Shabazz Muhammad #1, Amile Jefferson #21, Tony Parker #19

Rasheed Sulaimon(Committed): 6’4″ guard, Houston, Texas- Sulaimon officially signed with Duke during the early signing period and is the #2 guard in the class.  The 6’4 guard is a force on both sides of the ball.  He is not only one of the best pure scorers in the class but a great defender and a high character guy. (There is a reason he gets many comparisons to Nolan Smith)  In other words, he is the exact type of guard that Coach K has made a habit of winning with year after year.  Sulaimon is currently in the middle of his senior basketball season at Strake Jesuit High School, averaging 27.8 points per game. His team is 22-3, and he recently recorded his second straight 40+ point game.  Sulaimon was recently selected to participate in the annual Jordan Brand Classic game and the McDonald’s All-American game, both of which feature some of most talented and highly ranked high school players in the country.

Shabazz Muhammad(Offered):  6’5″ small foward, Las Vegas, Nevada- Everyone knows Muhammad, the highly touted #1 player in the class who is considering Duke, Kentucky, UCLA, UNLV, USC, Texas A&M and Kansas. It has been well documented through comments from he and his father that Muhammad is not expected to make a decision until the spring signing period. Although he still pretty long list, many believe Kentucky, Duke and UCLA are in the lead for Muhammad. He has an excellent relationship with Coach K and it looks as though Duke will be in this one until the end.  Shabazz is known for his offensive versatility, scoring, athleticsm, intensity, tenacious demeanor on the court.  This is a player who has a serious killer instinct.  He brings it every night and is a ferocious competitor.  Muhammad is currently averaging  29.1 points per game  in his senior season at Bishop Gorman High and will play in both the Jordan Brand Classic and the McDonald’s All-American game.  Muhammad is scheduled to take his official visit to Duke in the spring for the North Carolina game.

Amile Jefferson (Offered)- 6’8″ power foward, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania- Although not a true back to the basket post player, Jefferson is adept at facing the basket and scoring in the paint.  He is a long, athletic player with a high motor and a great feel for the game.  Perhaps his best quality is his feel for the game, as he is a smart player with a very high basketball IQ (think Shane Battier).  A crucial detail to consider when looking at Jefferson’s recruitment is the importance that he puts on academics.  He is currently averaging 21.3 points and 10.4 rebounds per game at Friends Central High School. Duke, who recruited Jefferson when he was a sophmore before backing off, dove back into this recruitment in a big way.  The Blue Devils contacted him in early January and offered him a scholarship shortly thereafter.  Jefferson, whose father recently stated his son will likely make a decision towards the middle of February (once his high school season ends), has already visited Duke more then once and is very familiar with the Blue Devils’ coaching staff and basketball program.  Amile is considering NC State, Duke, Villanova, UConn and Ohio State.  NC State and Duke are widely considered the leaders for Jefferson’s services. Read more