Duke basketball recruiting: Five-star package deal still in play

It may be no coincidence that Don Bosco Prep (N.J.) combo guard Dylan Harper and Overtime Elite (Ga.) small forward Naas Cunningham, two of the top five prospects in the 2024 recruiting arena, each named five finalists within the past month and has the Duke basketball program in the mix (not to mention Kansas and Rutgers).

At least that's what Rivals' Rob Cassidy implied when placing the Blue Devils at No. 2 this week in the Cunningham sweepstakes while alluding to Duke's seemingly strong positioning to reel in Harper:

"It's hard to rule out the Blue Devils from any high-profile recruitment nowadays, but they feel especially alive in this one. Cunningham has called Duke a 'dream school' in the past and says he grew up rooting for the program. He's been on campus in an unofficial capacity and has hinted that he may return for an official down the road.

"Duke is also a major contender to land Cunningham's NY Rens grassroots teammate, Dylan Harper, and the two have publicly discussed the possibility of teaming up at the next level. In fact, almost everything about Cunningham's recruitment suggests that the Blue Devils shouldn't be ruled out and could be within striking distance of the top spot..."

In Cassidy's eyes, that top spot belongs to Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway. His staff, currently hosting Cunningham for an unofficial visit, includes first-year assistant Andy Borman, a former Duke basketball walk-on (also Mike Krzyzewski's nephew) who was the director of the NY Rens before landing with the Tigers.

Naas Cunningham turned 18 six days ago.

Hard to find many players his age with shot making like this 🎯💰 pic.twitter.com/NatsL9LzTs
— Overtime Elite (@OvertimeElite) February 16, 2023

As Cassidy noted, Cunningham, a 6-foot-7 versatile playmaker who ranks No. 5 overall on the 247Sports 2024 Composite, has not revealed a timeline for his recruitment but "seems to be inching closer to a decision." The Rivals FutureCast and 247Sports Crystal Ball for Cunningham both remain devoid of predictions.

Harper, a 6-foot-5 crafty lefty who is the son of five-time NBA champ Ron Harper and ranks No. 4, has provided no timeline either. But the Crystal Ball pegs first-year Duke head coach Jon Scheyer and his crew as the frontrunners; they hosted him for an official visit in October, coinciding with Countdown to Craziness.

6’5 PG Dylan Harper ( @dy1anharper ) is super tough 😳 he’s only a junior in high school with elite skill.. Son of NBA Champion Ron Harper 🔥 pic.twitter.com/CV1jWQSPS4
— Swish Cultures (@swishcultures_) January 13, 2023

Meanwhile, the Blue Devils' 2024 haul consists of only one commit: Paul VI Catholic (Va.) four-star small forward Darren Harris.

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country for more Duke basketball recruiting updates.