Rising Sophomore Getting Attention From Duke on Recruiting Trail

The next part of of the AAU cycle is live as players head to South Carolina for the annual Nike EYBL Peach Jam. It's considered the premier recruiting event of the Summer as coaches, recruits, and scouts descend on Augusta for the annual event. 

Among the coaches there are Duke's Jon Scheyer who is watching several recruits over the week. While we know that Kager Knueppel is off to a hot start, we also know that the Blue Devils are watching a rising sophomore. 

Class of 2029 guard JJ Crawford put on a show early on Thursday. He finished with 26 points, showcasing his skill set.

Among the coaches in attendance were Duke's Jon Scheyer and North Carolina's Michael Malone. Also in attendance was Chris Paul who saw the big performance on Thursday morning. 

With coaches watching early, we could potentially be heading towards a blue blood battle, including UNC and Duke for Crawford. The recruit has a total of 20 offers in his recruitment so far, including from Alabama, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville and Michigan, among others.

North Carolina and Duke have yet to offer but if they are watching and showing interest this early, we should expect them to offer eventually. 

Crawford is from Seattle, playing at Rainier Beach. He's the top recruit overall in the 2029 class by ESPN, and while 247Sports doesn't have a ranking out just yet, he will certainly be the top player, if not right there. 

As Jeff Goodman notes above, several other coaches were in attendance to see Crawford as were multiple NBA guys. The attention is certainly on the recruit early in his recruitment. 

Crawford comes from an NBA bloodline as well. His father is former guard Jamal Crawford. Here is what Paul Biancardi wrote on the recruit:

"The son of former NBA great Jamal Crawford, JJ controls the tempo of a game with a poise beyond his years, and he uses his playmaking instincts to create for himself and others. His handle, change of pace and overall polish mirror the advanced feel that made his father successful, while his competitiveness and production continue to separate him from his peers."

This is certainly a recruitment to keep an eye on for Duke even though it's still very early in the process.