Blue Devil Country

Kentucky Visiting Duke Basketball Target at Blue Devil Pipeline School

Mark Pope and his crew are making a strong push for longtime Duke basketball offer holder Jordan Smith Jr.
Matt Giles|
Duke basketball recruiting target Jordan Smith Jr.
Duke basketball recruiting target Jordan Smith Jr. | Nathan Papes/Springfield News-Leader / USA TODAY NETWORK

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Duke Blue Devils

Five-star guard Jordan Smith Jr. remains a priority target on the 2026 Duke basketball recruiting trail. But the competition is heating up in his high-profile recruitment, with bluebloods and others clearly liking what they've seen when it comes to the Paul VI Catholic High School (Va.) junior's off-the-charts continued development.

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On Tuesday, the Kentucky coaches will be at his school. According to 247Sports' Dushawn London, the primary purpose of their trip is to check in on Smith, who has held an offer from the powerhouse Wildcat recruiting team since September.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound standout landed an offer from Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer and his staff back in July. At the time, Smith stacked up at No. 9 overall on the 247Sports 2026 Composite. He's since risen to No. 4 in the class.

And considering Jordan Smith Jr.'s eye-popping overall production of late against fellow top-shelf talents in Nike EYBL action, it'd be wise not to rule out the fierce competitor and versatile athlete as a contender to finish No. 1 overall among his peers.

Of course, Scheyer & Co.'s full-on pursuit, not to mention the fact that Smith attends the school that has produced three Duke basketball guards this decade plus current Blue Devil freshman center Patrick Ngongba II, suggests the staff in Durham ought to remain in the mix until the finish line.

Smith has reeled in a long list of offers and has yet to name finalists in his recruitment.

Stay tuned to Duke Blue Devils On SI for more Duke basketball 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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