In the fiercely competitive world of college basketball recruiting, few rivalries are as storied as that of the Duke Blue Devils and the North Carolina Tar Heels. As the 2025 recruiting cycle intensifies, Duke’s head coach Jon Scheyer has set his sights on a coveted prospect who has long been a priority for UNC: Nikolas Khamenia. This strategic move not only underscores Duke’s commitment to securing top-tier talent but also adds a new layer of intrigue to the Tobacco Road rivalry.SI
Nikolas Khamenia, a 6-foot-8, 210-pound forward from Harvard-Westlake School in California, has rapidly ascended the ranks of high school basketball. Ranked No. 30 overall and No. 9 among power forwards in the 2025 class by 247Sports, Khamenia is celebrated for his versatility, combining the agility of a guard with the physicality of a forward. His performances on the grassroots circuit have drawn attention from numerous high-major programs, including Duke and UNC.
In June 2024, Duke extended an official scholarship offer to Khamenia, a move that significantly altered the dynamics of his recruitment. Coach Scheyer and his staff had been monitoring Khamenia’s progress and decided to make their interest known. Khamenia announced the offer on social media, expressing his excitement about the opportunity. This development marked Duke’s entry into a competitive race against UNC, which had already been pursuing Khamenia for some time.
The Tar Heels’ coaching staff, led by Hubert Davis, had been actively recruiting Khamenia and had extended an offer prior to Duke’s involvement. However, the arrival of Duke in the recruitment has added a new layer of complexity. Both programs are now vying for Khamenia’s commitment, making it one of the most anticipated recruiting battles in recent memory. The proximity of the two campuses and the historical rivalry between the schools only heighten the stakes of this recruitment.
Duke’s pursuit of Khamenia is part of a broader strategy to bolster its roster with elite talent. The Blue Devils have already secured commitments from several top prospects in the 2025 class, and adding Khamenia would further solidify their standing as a national powerhouse. His potential fit within Duke’s system, which emphasizes versatility and high basketball IQ, makes him an ideal candidate to contribute immediately.
As the recruitment of Nikolas Khamenia unfolds, all eyes will be on the developments between Duke and UNC. With both programs pulling out all the stops to secure his commitment, the outcome of this recruitment could have significant implications for the future of college basketball in the ACC. For now, Coach Jon Scheyer’s strategic targeting of a top UNC prospect has added a new chapter to the enduring rivalry between the Blue Devils and the Tar Heels
