Great news for Duke fans as coveted guard Frank Jackson has chosen to spend his college year/s in Durham. Will his commitment convince Harry Giles to come over?
Frank Jackson announced his decision via press conference. He decided to make his choice just days after an official visit to Duke. Most observers felt it was just a formality at that point. ESPN had the players' comments.
"On my visit it was just a different feeling," Jackson said of Duke. "The players treated me great and I think I am a great system fit. Coach K is all about winning and I am all about winning."
Jackson, just like former Duke recruit Jabari Parker, is a Mormon. He had already committed to BYU in November 2013 but he pulled out and opened his recruitment again. He also decided to forego his two-year mission.
"Doing a mission is a great thing, but as of right now I am planning on playing in 2016," Jackson said. "I am still praying about it, so doing a mission still remains a possibility and Coach K was good with that."
The 6-4 guard is ranked 14th on ESPN, but made the top 10 in other scouting services. SB Nation notes that Coach K is already at the top of the class rankings at this time.
"In Jackson, Duke has an essential piece to what's turning into one of the better recruiting hauls of the decade," the site stated. "Duke already has a commitment from 6'8 wing Jayson Tatum -- a consensus top-three player in the class -- and is the heavy favorite to land No. 1 overall player Harry Giles. Jackson gives Duke a scoring guard who can play off his teammates by swinging between either backcourt spot while adding outside shooting."
If there's one thing we learned from last season, winners like to play with winners and the package deal of Jahlil Okafor, Justise Winslow and Tyus Jones resulted in a national championship for Duke and getting all of them drafted in the first round. This is very enticing for Harry Giles. He may be the next Blue Devil recruit.