Elite Recruit Hearing From Duke Basketball Coaches

One of the most explosive big men in the 2027 class appears on the Duke basketball recruiting radar.
Jan 2, 2026; Mesa, AZ, USA; CIA Bella Vista (AZ) center Paul Osaruyi (25) against Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy (TX) during the HoopHall West Tournament at Skyline High School. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Jan 2, 2026; Mesa, AZ, USA; CIA Bella Vista (AZ) center Paul Osaruyi (25) against Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy (TX) during the HoopHall West Tournament at Skyline High School. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

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The 2026 Duke basketball recruiting haul includes a Toronto native in IMG Academy (Fla.) four-star center Maxime Meyer. Perhaps the 2027 Blue Devil class will also feature a big man from Meyer's hometown, as the coaches in Durham are reportedly expressing interest in Paul Osaruyi, a 6-foot-10, 220-pound five-star who now attends Bella Vista Prep in Scottsdale, Ariz.

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According to the following post from League Ready national recruiting insider Sam Kayser on Thursday afternoon, Osaruyi has been hearing from Duke, Syracuse, Georgia Tech, Arkansas, Kansas, BYU, Illinois, Texas, Houston, West Virginia, Oregon, Southern Cal, and Oklahoma State.

Plus, it's worth noting that Paul Osaruyi took an unofficial visit to Duke last year.

"When I looked at the campus, it was pretty good," Osaruyi explained to Zagsblog's Sam Lance back in May. "They're really like a basketball hall of fame over there. Like, you see Coach K and all of them coaches, you know, how they were winning back when he was coaching at Duke. Altogether, the campus was really nice.

Duke basketball
Mar 5, 2022; Durham, North Carolina, USA; A general view of Cameron Indoor Stadium prior to Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski's last home game against the North Carolina Tar Heels. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images | Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

"I watched a few workouts, and then [Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer] and [assistant coach Emanuel Dildy], they were just telling me how the campus is and then how they're going to be ready to watch me this AAU season."

A Springy Duke Basketball Recruiting Prospect

Osaruyi currently checks in at No. 5 overall, No. 2 among centers, and No. 1 in Arizona on the 247Sports 2027 Composite.

"[He] is one of the most explosive athletes in the class," 247Sports' Eric Bossi noted in his summary of Osaruyi's clear upside earlier this month. "Osaruyi can be a bit more productive, but at this point, it's hard to argue anybody else over him, given his tools and ceiling."

Jon Scheyer and the Blue Devils, enjoying the nation's top-ranked collection on the 2026 recruiting trail with four heralded early signees already in tow, have yet to extend any official offers in the 2027 cycle.

But it seems Paul Osaruyi is among the names to remember whenever Scheyer and his crew decide to ramp up their 2027 efforts.

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

As always, make sure you stay up to date with all Duke content by following us on Facebook, by clicking HERE, and following us on X (formerly Twitter) HERE.


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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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