Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball Pursuing Three Premier 2026 Guards

Backcourt talents highlight the Duke basketball offer sheet.
Matt Giles|
Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer
Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer | Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

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St. John Bosco High School (Calif.) five-star Brandon McCoy Jr., Paul VI Catholic High School (Va.) five-star Jordan Smith Jr., and Melissa High School (Texas) four-star Austin Goosby account for a third of the 2026 preps who have received an offer from fourth-year Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer and the Blue Devils.

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And in the eyes of 247Sports national recruiting expert Adam Finkelstein, all three of those heralded Duke backcourt targets were among the five best combo guards on this year's Nike EYBL grassroots circuit.

Smith, who landed on the Blue Devil wishlist around the same time as McCoy last summer and visited the program back in early November, sits atop that list, which Finkelstein revealed on social media this week.

"One of the most competitive players in the country, who drives winning like no one else," Finkelstein noted about the 6-foot-2, 200-pound Smith. "He's long. He's strong. He's powerful. He's aggressive. He's a terrific defender and rebounder."

Finkelstein placed the 6-foot-4, 185-pound McCoy, who checked out the Blue Devils on an offical visit the same weekend as Smith, at No. 4.

"He's one of the premier defenders and rebounding guards in the entire country," Finklestein said about McCoy. "And he hunts the rim violently in transition, looking to dunk everything."

Goosby, a 6-foot-5, 190-pound sharpshooter who picked up his Duke basketball offer in June and has already scheduled an official visit with the Blue Devils for the first weekend in October, rounds out Finklestein's top five.

"Just a wealth of tools," Finkelstein commented in praising's Goosby's versatile skillset. "He's got size, length, fluidity, great hands, great touch, deceptive vertical athlete, but most of all, a terrific feel for the game."

Stay tuned to Duke Blue Devils On SI for more Duke basketball recruiting news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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