5-star recruit Marques Bolden commits to Duke over Kentucky

The top uncommitted recruit in the class of 2016 is finally off the board. Marques Bolden, a 6’10 center from DeSoto, Texas, picked Duke over Kentucky on Thursday afternoon during a ceremony at his high school. Bolden is ranked as a five-star prospect and the No. 11 player in the class of 2016, according to Rivals.

Bolden’s decision was particularly compelling because of his two finalists. John Calipari and Mike Krzyzewski often fight for the same players, but rarely does a prospect drag out his decision until late May. With the selection of Duke, Coach K has put the finishing touches on arguably the best recruiting class in the country and one of the finest hauls of his esteemed career.

Bolden is Duke’s fourth five-star prospect in the class of 2016, joining big man Harry Giles, wing Jayson Tatum and combo guard Frank Jackson. With Grayson Allen returning for his junior season and veterans Matt Jones and Amile Jefferson around for one more year, Duke will likely enter the season as the No. 1 team in the country.

Bolden will be Duke’s best low-post threat since Jahlil Okafor, the former No. 3 overall draft pick he’s sure to draw comparisons to. Bolden doesn’t enter college with as much hype as Okafor, but he has a similar skill set as a back-to-the-basket scorer with long arms. He gives Duke great insurance for Giles, who is coming off a torn ACL, and should be part of the big man rotation from day one.

The final five-star prospect to make his decision is another big man from Texas, Jarrett Allen. Allen has given no timetable for his choice. He is thought to be deciding between Kentucky, Texas and Houston.