2020 is a Special Class

[DukeNation12]

6 guys that all have a legit chance to make it and play in the NBA-has K ever had that?

Expecting very big things from ALL of these dudes! Really hope they all stay and finish their careers at Duke as guys like Coleman and Brakefield should be around as Sophs!

What I really love is all these guys seem to be very high character-high energy motor guys!

Has Duke and K ever had a more talented versatile/deep squad 1-11?!

 

[BlueDevilStop]

6 guys that all have a legit chance to make it and play in the NBA-has K ever had that?

Expecting very big things from ALL of these dudes! Really hope they all stay and finish their careers at Duke as guys like Coleman and Brakefield should be around as Sophs!

What I really love is all these guys seem to be very high character-high energy motor guys!

Has Duke and K ever had a more talented versatile/deep squad 1-11?!

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I love this class. Loaded indeed! And the best part is I believe at least three come back for their Sophomore year. Five returning is possible, though I would not bet on that. Johnson is the only locked and loaded one and done.

 

[TheDude1]

In these times, guys who shouldn’t be one and dones sometimes become that.

So many freshmen... I never would have anticipated it.

 

[Liftee]

What struck me is how hard it must be for Coach K to accurately evaluate these players. There is no semblance between the (lack) of defense played in AAU and what is played in the ACC. 99% of the drives were to the strong-handed side with no effort to make the driver go to his weak hand. Also, the two guards looked really small.

However, the talent and athleticism is clearly present and Coach K should have fund molding them into ACC level players.

 

[christophero]

It is a good group. Hopefully a multi year group; I'd even take a few more losses this year for them to grow and mature and come back next year. I think our 4 returnees need to be consistent as this group is not as highly rated as other classes (other than JJ) and they may take some time to develop.

 

[Duke fan in souhern Ohio]

Really looking forward to watching Brakefield, I live about an hour away from Huntington prep , I really enjoy watching players that played somewhat local to me go to Duke , I never got the chance to watch Brakefield in person , but I have heard great things (obviously) from people who did see him play in person.

 

[christophero]

Roach has some Kenny Anderson to his game.

 

[Friction.]

Jalen Johnson is obviously underrated and Mark Williams has taken a giant leap just in the last year.

But to me, I still think the absolute steal is Steward. His ranking is probably more because of NBA potential but I think his productivity will be really good. He’s outclassed pretty much everyone he’s played against and has that ability to just take over. Defensively will be a question mark but if this were a game of investing, I would be loading up on shares of DJ.

 

[timo0402]

Jalen Johnson is obviously underrated and Mark Williams has taken a giant leap just in the last year.

But to me, I still think the absolute steal is Steward. His ranking is probably more because of NBA potential but I think his productivity will be really good. He’s outclassed pretty much everyone he’s played against and has that ability to just take over. Defensively will be a question mark but if this were a game of investing, I would be loading up on shares of DJ.

I’m as excited for Steward, as a shooter, as much as anyone coming in as I’ve been in a long time. Probably since Luke. And i expect him to have a much better freshman season than Luke did. Luke was very inconsistent (partly due to the team he was on), but DJ should be an integral part and asked to shoulder a big part of the scoring load from the perimeter.

 

[Jake1985]

There is something positive to be said about each player in the class. But the guy that hasn't gotten much attention, is Patrick Tape'. I completely get that his contribution is unknown, but should Mark Williams struggle, Tape' is a true 5 that adds that interior size. He could be the hidden gem in 2020-2021

 

[christophero]

He's a senior so he has a big advantage over the other big men. It wouldn't shock me if was ahead of Williams the first semester.

 

[BlueDevilStop]

I absolutely love this class. Very versatile and these guys are fearless.

 

[DukeNation12]

Agreed with a lot of what it is said!

Some off the cuff player comparisons:

I usually try and stick to Duke guys but this class is pretty unique. Here’s what I came up with. Threw in a few player projections for fun!

Roach-Quinn Cook (smaller/feisty/can knock down jumpers and 3s/under the rim player but finishes well in traffic with both hands/floaters/tough/good defender. *Played in same conference and area as QCook in HS. I could see Roach averaging something around 10PPG/5Asts. As mentioned earlier I don’t see both him and DJ as both 1 year guys. Could be wrong but I see Roach In a Duke uniform for a 2nd year. Only time will tell tho and things change quick.


Steward-Nolan Smith (Under sized Combo guard who can really shoot it and create/gets to the hoop and finishes with floaters and runners/plays it’s a ton of energy and a big smile just like Nolan. Probably a bit less athletic but with a better shot at the same age. Willingly passer with improving handles. Big time shot maker. Kid can really fill it up when hot. Probably our best pure shooter since Luke. (I hope Joey can battle that with him this season). He should be good for Stanley type numbers minus the boards even if he comes off the bench. Right around 10-12PPG/2Asts


Johnson-Think Ben Simmons. (Super skilled/Point forward, very willing and great passer for nearly 6’10. Plays like guard with nice pace and always under control-will grab a board and push it fast-make the right pass or finish strong. Tight handles for someone his size. Improving 3pt shot but willingly to take them unlike Ben. All around game/Athletic finisher. Should be good for around something around 17PPG/5Asts/5 rebounds nightly)


Williams/Mo Bamba (Nice blend of size/length/strength/ and finishing ability. Very defensive minded/great on the boards. Weighing at 230 hes bigger than Bamba was coming in. Still pretty raw but all the skills are there to be a very solid player. Plays with a great motor and has very nice timing on D and blocking shots. Improving post moves and jump shot. Main points will be off lobs/rebound put-backs. Something in the ballpark of 6pts/6rebs nightly.


Colemen/Semi Ojeleye (Think big strong powerful athletic. 6’7 240 and unlike Semi won’t float around the 3pt line. Will use his size and strength to bully smaller opponents. Great rebounder. Improving handles/jump shot and 3 ball but for right now his strength is his motor and outworking the other guy-Think Winslow toughness)


Brakefield/“poor mans” Tatum.

Small tidbit on JB: he now shoots lefty now he originally shot right handed-switching around the 7th grade; making him a very unique player. Like Zion he shoots lefty but loves going right and finishing strong and dunking almost everything righty. Very hard to guard-extremely unique. At one point around his freshmen season JB was a top 5-10 player. Highly skilled-but motor has come into question at times, mainly bc his game is so smooth. Sometimes it looks like he’s not trying. I used the comparison of JB To Tatum bc The smoothest of both of their games. JB obviously isn’t on the level of Jayson but the skills are similar. Can do a little bit of everything and very versatile: Shoots/rebounds/passes/handles the ball well for his size **West Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year as a sophomore, junior and senior, becoming the first player to be recognized three times in the award’s 35-year history.

Tapé/Marshall Plumlee (Strong finisher/solid rebounder/defender/rim protector)

Those 6 freshman, Dukes first ever Grad transfer, + the 4 mainstays have a nice blend of talent/versatility/and unique skill for K to have it his disposal next season!!