In the high-intensity world of high school basketball, a debate has raged over the past year about who stands atop the talent heap. Tied to the prestigious Duke basketball program are three names that have dominated this conversation: Cooper Flagg, Cameron Boozer, and AJ Dybantsa. At one point, each of these athletes belonged to a different class, with Flagg moving to the 2024 class and Dybantsa making a leap into the 2025 class, where Boozer is also placed.
Flagg is set to kick off his college career at Duke, leaving Boozer and Dybantsa to light up the AAU scene this summer. Both are prominently on Duke’s radar, especially after the Blue Devils extended an official offer to Dybantsa—a significant move that Dybantsa proudly shared on social media, stating, “I’m blessed to receive an offer from Duke University! Go Blue Devils💙🤍.”
Dybantsa, standing at an impressive 6-foot-9, is the undisputed top player in the Class of 2025 and is seen by many as the best high school player nationwide, regardless of class. This is a notable acclaim considering Flagg’s stellar performance and national title win with Montverde Academy. Prior to an offer from Duke, Dybantsa was largely viewed as favoring Kentucky, though John Calipari’s move to Arkansas has broadened the recruitment landscape, which still includes Kentucky and now, Arkansas as well.
Other heavyweights like North Carolina are also in the mix for Dybantsa, who many believe will be the first pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. His recruitment journey has already taken him on official visits to Auburn and USC, with more trips planned for the fall, though a final decision seems to be on the distant horizon.
With Duke having extended offers to nine of the top-16 ranked players in the 2025 class according to 247Sports, the Blue Devils are yet to secure a commitment for next year’s class, making the chase for talents like Dybantsa all the more crucial for Jon Scheyer and his coaching team.