New England's David Duke sees stock on the rise
A year ago, David Duke was a virtual unknown, even for those nearby his Providence, R.I. locale. Fast-forward a calendar year and the 6-foot-3 guard has seen his name and college stock soar. Despite having to sit out his lone outing at the Hoophall Classic last weekend due to an injured foot, things remain on the uptick for the improving junior.
Duke has earned all 10 of his offers in the last 12 months. Providence, Rhode Island, VCU and Northwestern are among his 10.
Originally a member of the 2017 class, Duke reclassed this past summer to 2018 and in recent months, has really seen his college recruitment pick up steam. He brings great size and strength off the ball as he is at his best driving to the basket and then exploding for highlight dunks. Bringing a solid scoring punch to any perimeter core that he is thrown into, Duke is just now beginning to see the fruits of his labor pan out.
IN HIS OWN WORDS
“From the point of having no offers, it has been motivation. I went through some injuries but I haven’t allowed for any of that stuff to hold me down,” the Cushing product stated as he then rattled off those remaining in touch with him the most often. “Creighton, Providence, NC State a little bit, Kansas talks to me every game day, Northwestern a lot and Rutgers.”
Having not taken any visits of late and not planning on doing so any time soon, the option of reclassing back into the 2017 class has been a top under consideration for the Mass Rivals guard. “(Reclassifying to 2017) has been brought up, but not so much. Not to me personally but some have talked to my coaches,” Duke said.
NC State is one school that would like to take him for next year.
It has been a whirlwind of year for Duke, going from an unknown to now a heavily followed high-major guard. The 6-foot-3 junior remains steadfast in playing another year of prep ball next winter, though he did give further insight on what it would take for him to go to college instead.
“It depends on how I like the school; it would be a key factor of whether I would reclass back into the 2017 class or not,” the three-star guard noted before giving a timetable for a definite decision. “Just after the season with how things go and if it’s necessary, I would consider it.”
WHAT'S NEXT
Duke will take the college entry exams next month for the first time and if the proper scores come back and the right school comes along, a re-entry back into the 2017 class could play out. That scenario is unlikely, however, as Duke has plans of grabbing more and more college scholarship offers this winter before entering his senior summer with the Mass Rivals gang.
RIVALS REACTION
Every year, a few prospects make a jump out of the New England hotbed and see their stock soar. Duke is a prime example. Whether he decides to enter the college ranks this upcoming fall is up for debate, but what isn’t is the fact that Duke is due to become a priority recruit sooner rather than later.