Duke Basketball

Freshman Cassius Stanley has yet to play in an official game for the Duke Blue Devils, but he is already breaking Zion Williamson's records.

On Wednesday, the men's basketball team announced the 6'6", 193-pound guard set a program record in the vertical jump:

This comes one year after the 6'7", 285-pound Williamson claimed the record for himself en route to becoming the consensus National Player of the Year and the eventual No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft.

Stanley is part of Duke's star-studded 2019 recruiting class, which 247Sports rates as the third-best in the nation. Stanley, whom 247Sports rates as a 4-star recruit and the No. 3 shooting guard in his class, joins 5-star recruits Vernon Carey and Matthew Hurt in Durham.

Duke is already loading up its 2020 basketball recruiting class.

The Blue Devils landed a commitment from 5-star combo guard DJ Steward on Wednesday, according to Evan Daniels of 247Sports.

"I'll be heading to Duke University to play under Coach K," Steward said. "Me and my family went on the visit this weekend, and it was amazing. We love the principles of Duke and how united Duke was as a program."

Steward is the third 5-star recruit in the Blue Devils' 2020 class, per 247Sports.

The 6'3" guard is the No. 26 overall prospect in the country and the sixth-best player at his position.

He's a talented offensive option with a consistent shot who can also attack the lane and score in a variety of ways. He should get plenty of buckets, especially considering the talent that will be around him, though he could stand to improve his playmaking skills.

The Chicago native gained a lot of attention on the recruiting trail, eventually narrowing his list to Duke, DePaul, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa State, Louisville, North Carolina and Texas. Despite the variety of options, he eventually settled on the Blue Devils.

Steward said: 

"At Duke we feel like I will be able to get the best of both worlds education wise and on the court playing on the biggest stage possible night in and night out. I will get to chase my goals and be one step closer to my dream of playing in the NBA. Also, I will be able to develop as a person off the court as well as a player while playing under the most winningest coach in history, Coach K."

Duke always has to reload with talent considering how frequently the squad sends players to the NBA, but the 2020-21 season is already looking good with Steward alongside Jeremy Roach and Jalen Johnson.

Each of those players has a chance to reach the NBA after just one year of college, but the Blue Devils should have plenty of success while they are on the roster.

Duke University's five-month investigation into allegations that Nike paid ex-Blue Devil superstar Zion Williamson resulted in the school finding zero evidence supporting those notions, according to Steve Wiseman of the News & Observer. 

"As soon as Duke was made aware of any allegation that might have affected Zion Williamson’s eligibility, we conducted a thorough and objective investigation which was directed by individuals outside the athletics department," Duke spokesman Michael Schoenfeld wrote in an email to Wiseman.

"We found no evidence to support any allegation. Zion thrived as both a student and an athlete at Duke, and always conducted himself with integrity and purpose."

Lawyer Michael Avenatti made the allegations and submitted court documents that reportedly feature Nike executives discussing plans to pay Williamson and a few then-high school basketball players in 2017.

Pat Forde, Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports broke the story in August:

"A series of text messages from February 2017 between [Nike Elite Youth Basketball League director Carlton DeBose], Nike recruiting coordinator John Stovall and Nike EYBL manager Jamal James [concerned] a plan to potentially pay three players—Williamson, Langford and a player from Michigan whose name is redacted because he is still a minor. All three were still in high school, or younger, at the time."

Per Wiseman, the three men specifically discussed paying Williamson $35,000.

Nike is paying Williamson $75 million over five years to endorse the company, according to Darren Rovell of the Action Network. The company also sponsors Duke and men's hoops head coach Mike Krzyzewski.

However, clear-cut evidence proving payments from Nike to Williamson or any other player referenced in the documents during their amateur days has not surfaced, per Wiseman. The same goes for proof indicating Duke did anything illegal.

Avenatti is currently fighting the apparel and shoe company in court. 

In March, the lawyer was arrested on extortion charges after allegedly attempting to extort $25 million from the company by threatening to publicize claims Nike paid families of top high school basketball stars, per Dan Mangan and Kevin Breuninger of CNBC.

Thamel, Forde and Wetzel also wrote that "prosecutors allege he tried to 'shake down' Nike by demanding they hire him to run an internal investigation of the EYBL or he would reveal incriminating details of the payouts."

Nike stated that it "will not respond to the allegations of an individual facing federal charges of fraud and extortion."

As for Williamson, the New Orleans Pelicans took him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft. He's set to make his professional debut on October 22 against the defending champion Toronto Raptors.

After committing to Duke in early July, Jalen Johnson is doing whatever he can to get more talent around him. 

The 5-star prospect has been active on the recruiting trail trying to get other big-name players to join him and Jeremy Roach in the 2020 recruiting class.

"I've been recruiting DJ Steward, Mark Williams, Walker Kessler. ... Those are the main three," Johnson said, per Gary Parrish of CBS Sports. "There's a lot of recruiting going on here."

Steward is a 4-star combo guard who can line up next to Roach to create an exciting backcourt, and he admitted the recruiting effort goes well beyond the coaching staff.

"I'm getting a lot of messages from fans telling me to go to their school. I like a passionate fan base so that's fun to see," he said in an essay for USA Today. "I've had players hit me too; Jalen Johnson and Jeremy Roach have been in my ear a lot lately trying to get me to join The Brotherhood."

Williams and Kessler could also be big-time additions as elite centers who can make an impact on both ends of the court.

While Johnson can do damage on his own as the No. 4 overall player in the class, it's clear he wants to put together a team that can compete for a national championship before he likely leaves for the NBA.

The Wisconsin product has also shown he's willing to recruit players from all over the country, with Williams playing his high school ball in Virginia and Kessler in Georgia. This certainly makes the job easier for head coach Mike Krzyzewski as he tries to put together a winner in Durham.

Recruiting info via 247Sports.

The Duke Blue Devils made a major splash on the recruiting trail Thursday when they landed small forward Jalen Johnson for their 2020 class. 

Johnson told Evan Daniels of 247Sports he was picking Duke over Arizona, Kentucky and Wisconsin.

"I picked them because how much of a priority I was for them and the potential they see in me," he said. "It was just a different vibe that I got with them, and it was just great since my first conversation with them."

Johnson checks in at 6'8" and 215 pounds and is a 5-star prospect, per 247Sports' composite rankings. He is also the No. 4 overall player, No. 1 small forward and No. 1 player from the state of Wisconsin in the class.

His ability to contribute in a number of ways stands out, especially for a forward.

He can get out in transition and fill the lanes, rebound from the wing, slash into the paint, finish above the rim, shoot from the outside when defenders honor his penetration and facilitate for teammates when help shifts his way.

What's more, his length allows him to dart into passing lanes and bother perimeter shooters on defense.

"What I like about Jalen is his versatility," Daniels told Ben Roberts of the Lexington Herald-Leader. "He's pushing 6'8" and he can handle the ball. He's a really good passer. He can play some with the ball in his hands. He can play on the perimeter. He can play as a face-up 4. There's just a lot you can do with him, and I think his versatility and his passing ability are probably the things that stick out to me the most."

That versatility and overall skill set caught the eye of college basketball royalty during the recruiting process, including Duke and Kentucky.

The Blue Devils won the battle for Johnson, which is no surprise considering they are a haven for one-and-done superstars.

Mike Krzyzewski has shown no hesitation toward recruiting playmakers like Johnson in recent years, and the newest addition represents another home run on the trail after he landed the No. 4 overall class in the 2019 cycle, per 247Sports.

Johnson continues that recruiting momentum and gives the ACC school someone who can potentially anchor a deep tournament run in what could be his only collegiate season.

A pair of Zion Williamson game-worn sneakers from his time with the Duke Blue Devils will be put up for auction on July 8.

According to Action Network's Darren Rovell, the shoes that will be up for grabs were worn by the former Duke phenom during a game against the San Diego State Aztecs on November 19, 2018:

Williamson recorded 13 points, six rebounds and five steals in 18 minutes in a 90-64 victory.

The sneakers can be viewed as a collector's item, given he played in only 33 games for Duke. And this pair in particular came near the beginning of his National Player of the Year campaign, as it was just his fourth career game.

According to TMZ Sports, the auction could reach $25,000.

"Even though these are not those historic sneakers, the fact that he played in just 33 college basketball games and these are his first sneakers to be offed at auction make them a truly special item," Goldin Auctions' Ken Goldin told TMZ Sports.

Williamson is expected to be the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft on Thursday.

Cam Reddish had a somewhat disappointing freshman season at Duke, and his dietary habits may have played a role.

During an interview Wednesday on First Take, Reddish acknowledged one area in which he struggled off the court.

"Last year I wasn't necessarily doing a great job of taking care of my body and it affected me on the floor," Reddish said. "Now that I'm feeling good, I'm feeling healthy, I feel I'm going to be able to go out there and perform on a consistent basis."

Pressed by Stephen A. Smith for a deeper explanation, Reddish discussed how he didn't exactly eat healthy at Duke: "I wasn't eating right. I wanted to eat pizza and fries and some tenders. I really can't be eating stuff like that in order for me to be successful."

Reddish added the issue was down to a combination of the additional cost of eating healthy foods coupled with the ease one can quickly fall into a college lifestyle. He closed the discussion by saying he has improved his diet in preparation for his jump to the NBA.

Reddish was the No. 2 player in the 2018 recruiting class, per 247Sports' composite rankings, but he got quickly overshadowed at Duke by teammates Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett. He averaged 13.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.6 steals. Most concerning, Reddish shot 35.6 percent from the field and 33.3 from beyond the arc.

To some extent, occupying a secondary role in the Blue Devils' offense could serve Reddish well because that's likely how he'll be used on whatever team selects him in the draft Thursday. Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman projected Reddish to be the eighth overall pick to the Atlanta Hawks, for whom Trae Young is the clear No. 1 scoring option.

And if part of Reddish's inconsistent performance is down to something as easily fixable as his diet, then that's not too concerning in terms of his potential in the NBA.

His new team should just steer clear of letting Dwight Howard give Reddish any food tips.

Duke Blue Devils forward Javin DeLaurier underwent elbow surgery on Wednesday, something Duke officials called a "clean-up" procedure.

"Just a routine thing," Duke associate head coach Jon Scheyer said, according to Steve Wiseman of the News & Observer. "He's doing really well recovering. It wasn't too big a procedure. He's in a good place."

DeLaurier initially declared for the 2019 NBA draft in April, but after testing the waters, he opted to return for his senior season. According to Scheyer, DeLaurier's decision to withdraw from the draft pool was not related to his elbow injury.

"I just think it was a chance to learn," Scheyer said of DeLaurier testing the draft waters. "When a guy wants to get better in college we're not able to work with them as much as we would like. We get a certain among out hours a week, a certain number of weeks in the summer. So it's tough. It gives a guy a chance to work out against really high-level competition.

"It was a great experience for Javin. He's come back more confident. He knows specific things he needs to work on."

The 6'10", 234-pound forward is coming off a season in which he averaged 3.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 16.3 minutes per game as a junior.

Although he assumed a limited role behind stars Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett, Cam Reddish and Tre Jones, DeLaurier was named a team captain in 2018-19.

DeLaurier will again be expected to take on a leadership role as Duke welcomes another highly touted recruiting class. According to 247Sports, the Blue Devils' 2019 recruiting class—which includes two 5-star prospects and two 4-star recruits—ranks fourth in the nation.

Michael Savarino, the grandson of Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, will walk on and play for the Blue Devils next season.

"He loves the game, so he wanted to play college basketball," Krzyzewski said, per Jeff Gravley of WRAL Sports. "He went to all these camps, but he loves Duke. He wanted to come to Duke and I was happy about that because he earned it and if he's coming to Duke, then he should be a part of our basketball program because he's good enough to be a walk-on."

Savarino played high school basketball at local Durham Academy, playing three years at the varsity level. He averaged 7.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game as a senior.

"I've always tried to avoid that reputation of living in your grandfather's shadow," Savarino said. "I chose this because I feel like I earned it. I feel like I've worked hard every single day for this. I wanted to come to Duke because I wanted to be a part of this program. I want to embrace everything about it and just play under my grandfather, who I've watched my whole life."

Krzyzewski has never coached an immediate family member. Savarino is the son of Krzyzewski's daughter, Debbie. The coach and his wife have three daughters.

Savarino received offers from Army, Columbia and "several" Division II schools. However, he looked at the chance to stay home and play at Duke under his grandfather as an opportunity. 

Major college coaches bringing on relatives is not a new phenomenon. Kentucky coach John Calipari coached his son, Brad, the last three seasons as a walk-on. Brad Calipari recently entered the transfer portal, hoping to find more playing time.

The dynamic is a bit different than father-son, but odds are Savarino finds himself getting only the most minimal playing time at Duke. As long as all sides understand the arrangement, it should be a fun bonding moment for the family. 

Duke Blue Devils star Tre Jones underwent hip and hernia surgeries this offseason, according to head coach Mike Krzyzewski (h/t the Devils Den's Adam Rowe).

Jones made 36 appearances for Duke as a freshman, missing a pair of contests in January with a shoulder injury.

He averaged 9.4 points on 41.4 percent shooting while adding 5.3 assists and 1.9 steals per game. Playing a supporting role behind stars Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett, he helped the Blue Devils go 32-6 while making a trip to the Elite Eight.    

While Williamson, Barrett and Cam Reddish have all declared for the 2019 NBA draft at Barclays Center on June 20, Jones announced last month that he would return for his sophomore season. According to 247Sports' composite rankings, he was a 5-star recruit and the No. 3 point guard in the class of 2018.

Jones discussed his decision to return Wednesday and let it be known he had unfinished business:

Having Jones return gives Coach K an experienced star to work with as a new highly touted recruiting class arrives. Per 247Sports, the Blue Devils have the fourth-ranked class for 2019, with 5-stars Vernon Carey and Matthew Hurt headlining the haul.