Five-star Duke target AJ Williams didn’t hesitate when describing his visit to Duke. In his defense, he seems to have felt the same way that many other recruits have in the place.
From the moment he arrived on campus, it was clear the experience was a great one, and not just because of the facilities or the coaching staff, but because of the ex-players he met.
“It was a great visit. I stayed up there for two days, toured the campus, talked with the coaches, it was great,” Williams said, per 247. “They also had former players there like Paolo Banchero, Cooper Flagg, Cam Reddish, Harry Giles, the whole Duke team they've got right now, Rodney Hood, and a bunch of other players.”
That list alone shows you exactly what Duke is and has been for a very long time.
Duke doesn’t have to sell itself on something it isn’t, as we all know Duke is who it is at this point.
Duke made sure its past, present, and future were all together and that’s what makes the Brotherhood so special.
Williams is a player who will be one-and-done, pending something drastic happening. It sounds like the guys in attendance, mainly former players, emphasized that.
“They were telling me if you want to come and be one-and-done, this is the place you want to be at,” Williams said. “You can play freely, play together — basically just saying this is the place you want to be.”
Duke has built its program around putting players like Williams in the NBA, while still winning in college, and now, getting paid.
On the court, Williams wants a few different things as a player, and it sounds like Duke can offer him that.
"The main non-negotiable is building a strong foundation of a relationship from now. Establishing trust with the coaches will go a long way throughout the recruitment process."
"I want to be able to play fast, make decisions, and run-and-gun. I want to play on a team with floor spacers and a good big man, that's how I could be used the most effectively."