Blue Devil Country

Future Duke Basketball Wing Proves Clutch to Defend 3-Point Crown

Duke basketball signee Darren Harris has a smooth way of putting his competition to sleep from deep.
Matt Giles|
Photo credit: Ricardo Rolon-USA TODAY Sports

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Duke Blue Devils

Last year, as a Paul VI Catholic (Va.) junior and early Duke basketball commit, Darren Harris won the 3-Point Shootout at the City of Palms Classic in Fort Myers, Fla., with a score of 16 points in the final round.

But in his title defense a year later at the prestigious holiday prep showcase on Wednesday night, the 6-foot-6, 195-pound forward, last up in this year's final round, needed 20 to tie and force another round. Instead, he reached 21 on a walk-off swish with the money ball, his last shot from the final rack.

First, here are Harris' highlights from an earlier round, drawing high praise from Hoop Herald in the following post:

And below is footage of his clutch performance in the final round to keep his crown. At the end, pay attention to his signature "go to sleep" gesture, which he famously displayed after draining a silencing 3-pointer late in the championship game at Peach Jam in July on his way to earning MVP honors:

Darren Harris, a perhaps underrated four-star who ranks only No. 57 overall on the 247Sports 2024 Composite but is arguably the nation's premier prep sharpshooter, signed his national letter of intent with the Blue Devils in November.

His teammate at Paul VI Catholic, composite five-star center Patrick Ngongba II, committed to Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer and his staff in early November and put it ink alongside Harris a few days later.

RELATED: Big Duke Signee Out Indefinitely With Foot Injury

The other three members of Scheyer & Co.'s top-ranked class are five-stars: Wisconsin Lutheran forward Kon Knueppel, North Meck (N.C.) forward Isaiah Evans, and the cycle's No. 1 prospect in Montverde Academy (Fla.) forward Cooper Flagg.

Future Blue Devil Forward Anchors Record-Breaking Victory

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com 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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