Blue Devil Country

Pipeline Duke Basketball Offer Holder Beats UNC Signee in Title Bout

Duke basketball looks like a top contender for another Paul VI Catholic guard.
Matt Giles|
Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer and assistant coach Emanuel Dildy
Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer and assistant coach Emanuel Dildy | Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

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Duke Blue Devils

The Duke basketball family has welcomed three backcourt talents, not to mention big man Patrick Ngongba II, out of prep juggernaut Paul VI Catholic High School (Va.) this decade. Third-year head coach Jon Scheyer and his powerhouse recruiting team aim to add another in Jordan Smith Jr.

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Duke hosted Smith for an official visit in early November. And the Blue Devils have been in the mix since extending an early offer to the five-star junior back in late July.

But the competition level in the Jordan Smith Jr. sweepstakes has been on the rise ever since. The same goes for the 6-foot-2, 200-pound guard's ranking, now up four spots since landing on the Blue Devil wishlist to No. 5 overall on the 247Sports 2026 Composite.

On Monday night, facing a road test against the Gonzaga College High School Eagles (26-5), featuring four-star 2025 UNC basketball signee Derek Dixon, Smith exhibited his coveted attractions to power the Paul VI Panthers (26-5) to a 58-54 win. It clinched the conference championship.

Smith finished with 29 points, accounting for half of his squad's total, along with seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals, letting the Gonzaga crowd hear it after his clutch performance unfolded:

As recently as late January, Duke basketball associate head coach and former ACC Player of the Year Chris Carrawell was at arguably the program's premier recruiting pipeline to check in on Smith, one of only three prospects on the Blue Devils' 2026 offer sheet.

ALSO READ: Blue Devils Tease In-Home Visit With Boozer Twins

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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