Here's Latest Intel on 5-Star 2026 Duke Target

Duke continues a heated battle for the nation's top combo guard.

Dec 31, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer directs his team during the second half against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils won 85-79. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images | Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer and his staff currently sit with the No. 1 overall 2026 recruiting class according to 247Sports, led by commitments from three 5-star prospects. However, the Blue Devils are still heavily in the mix for another 5-star in top-three recruit Jordan Smith Jr.

Smith is the No. 2 overall player, No. 1 combo guard, and No. 1 player out of Virginia according to the 247Sports 2026 Composite Rankings. The 6' 2", 200-pound guard will be deciding between Duke, Arkansas, Georgetown, Kentucky, Syracuse, and Indiana.

Dec 20, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer coaches against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Duke was viewed as the favorite to land Smith for some time after the elite guard took an official visit to Durham for Countdown to Craziness back in October, along with current Blue Devil 5-star commit Cameron Williams.

After his official visit, Smith picked up a crystal ball prediction to land with the Blue Devils. However, over the past couple of weeks, John Calipari and the Razorbacks have emerged as the new potential frontrunner to land the nation's top combo guard.

Jan 3, 2026; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach John Calipari reacts to a call in the second half of the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Bud Walton Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images | Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

John Calipari in Attendance To Watch 5-Star Duke Target Jordan Smith Jr.

Calipari was in attendance to watch Smith at the Bass Pro Shop Tournament of Champions on Jan. 15 in Springfield, MO. Paul VI took down Logan-Rogersville (MO) 64-58 with Calipari in attendance.

Smith took an official visit to Fayetteville back in September, and it was reported that the visit went about as well as it possibly could have.

Arkansas head coach John Calipari is courtside for the Paul VI vs. Logan-Rogersville game about to tip off in the quarterfinal round of the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions (@BassProTOfC) pic.twitter.com/LWmG2x8jMt

— Ozarks Sports Zone (@OzarksOzone) January 16, 2026

"When I talk amongst all my sources, there is one team that comes up the most consistently, and that is Arkansas," 247Sports' Travis Branham said. "They had him on for an official visit back in the fall. And based on all the information, that official visit basically couldn't have gone any better."

Did Deron Rippey’s commitment to Duke impact the Blue Devils chances with Jordan Smith?@TravisBranham_ answered that and more on our latest show.

📺 https://t.co/IJRnO9Uxoj pic.twitter.com/6UDiHMvtwG

— Adam Finkelstein (@AdamFinkelstein) January 14, 2026

Recent signs indicate that Duke and Arkansas are the clear leaders to land Smith, but the top recruit has also said that he hasn't ruled any programs out. Nonetheless, after the Blue Devils seemed like the team to beat, that may no longer be the case.

Dec 16, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer gestures to an official during the second half against the Lipscomb Bisons at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils won 97-73. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images | Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

What Does Duke’s 2026 Recruiting Class Currently Look Like?

Scheyer and Co. have sealed commitments from 5-star guard Deron Rippey Jr., 5-star forwards Cameron Williams and Bryson Howard, and 4-star Canadian seven-footer Maxime Meyer.

Highly coveted Duke target Jordan Smith Jr. is taking his time, and it’s shaping up as a Duke or Arkansas battle.

The more you watch him, the clearer it is he’s built for the next level with college-ready strength, skill, and real impact potential. pic.twitter.com/0aifnwYxac

— Blue Devil Voices (@DukeEchoes) January 17, 2026

A pledge from Smith would assuredly secure Duke with the No. 1 overall 2026 recruiting class, which would be Scheyer and his staff's third consecutive year with the nation's top class.

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