Duke has landed its latest superstar recruit. Vernon Carey Jr. picked Duke over Michigan State on SportsCenter on Thursday afternoon, giving coach Mike Krzyzewski a star freshman center to build around for next year.
Vernon Carey Jr. picks Duke over Michigan State as a 5-star basketball recruit
Duke has landed the No. 1 recruit, according to Rivals.
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Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.
Carey is ranked as the No. 1 recruit in the country, according to Rivals. He’s a 6’10, 275-pound center who thrives scoring with his back to the basket, but also has a face-up game. He is arguably the most college-ready recruit in the country this season, offering what should be a day one interior scorer for a Duke team that is set to lose most of its top players after this season.
Carey has elite athletics in his blood. His father Vernon Carey was a first round pick out of Miami in the 2004 NFL draft as a left tackle for the Miami Dolphins.
Duke landed the top three recruits in the country last season with Zion Williamson, Cameron Reddish, and R.J. Barrett. All three will be gone next season, meaning Duke will be relying heavily on Carey’s inside scoring.
Carey is Duke’s first elite recruit in this cycle, joining shooting guard Wendell Moore in the 2019 class.
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