Duke University’s men’s basketball program has begun a vigorous courtship of the nation’s most coveted high school talent, sending feelers to a handful of five‑star prospects who are still undecided about their collegiate destinations.
Among them, Brady Pettigrew, a 6‑foot‑3 guard from Illinois who sits at No. 14 in the 247Sports 2028 Composite, has drawn particular attention. Known for his explosive ability to finish at the rim, Pettigrew also holds offers from several ACC rivals, including NC State, Florida State, Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech.
The Blue Devils have also extended preliminary contact to top‑ranked forward AJ Williams, as well as big men Yann Kamagate and Dylan Betts, while forward Colton Hiller — currently the No. 2 overall prospect — has been mentioned among the programs keeping a close eye on his development.
Despite the buzz, no player from the 2028 class has yet secured a formal offer from Duke, a fact that underscores the competitive nature of the recruitment cycle. Instead, the school has already extended scholarships to two 2027 standouts, Kager Knueppel and Beckham Black, signaling an early commitment to the next wave of talent.
Head coach Jon Scheyer, who took over the program last season, has emphasized a strategy that blends aggressive scouting with a focus on player development, a approach that appears to be resonating with prospects across the country.
The Road Ahead
The geographic spread of these prospects — from Illinois and Georgia to California, Florida, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin — highlights the national scope of Duke’s outreach, a effort that is documented by scouting platforms such as 247Sports and supported by a network of high schools including Bolingbrook High School, Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy and IMG Academy.