Observers claim that top-ranked player Harry Giles already has one foot in the door of the Duke Blue Devils.
Duke University is assembling another top-ranked class, and to do that, you need to get the top-ranked player. Harry Giles is currently ranked no.1 in the ESPN 100 list of high school prospects, and the Blue Devils may already have the inside track on him.
Giles recently impressed scouts during Nike's Peach Jam event, Bleacher Report believed he is the model of the modern big man. "The athleticism and versatility at 6'10" are what make Giles so special, B/R points out. "He is really quick, and big men have no chance when he faces up and attacks off the dribble. His jumper is reliable enough that you have to respect him, even beyond the arc."
While it's clear that Giles is an impressive talent, what's not clear is where he'll spend probably the lone year of College Basketball life and the clear favorite is Duke.
Recently, Giles elected to transfer from Wesleyan Christian Academy to Oak Hill Academy, probably the most famous hoops high school in the nation. As Duke Basketball Report points out, also the school of Quinn Cook, William Avery and Nolan Smith. Oak Hill, though, has more popular alumni in Carmelo Anthony, Rajon Rondo and Josh Smith.
While that is not a clear argument for Duke, the best, and probably the definitive point is Harry Giles is his rumored "package deal" with his "best friend" Jayson Tatum. Tatum is ranked no.2 in the ESPN 100 and he has already committed to Duke.
Giles shared his bond with Tatum to Scout: I mean, that's my best friend. So it's going to impact me a little bit, but at the same time I have to make the best decision for me. Regardless if he went to Duke or not, if he didn't go there, I would still consider Duke just as much."
It also helps that Giles is from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, which is why ACC schools North Carolina, NC State and Wake Forest are in the mix. Duke is just an hour away, and it may just be one commitment-Giles' commitment, from another top recruiting class in 2016.