Ranking the 9 Key June Commits Who Are Keeping Duke Basketball’s 2026 Recruiting Class Firmly in the National Spotlight

In the high-stakes world of college basketball recruiting, momentum is everything. Programs rise and fall based not just on the commitments they secure but on the narrative those commitments help shape. For Duke basketball, the month of June in 2024 was not just about adding talent—it was about maintaining dominance, establishing continuity, and proving that the Blue Devils still rule the recruiting wars.

Jon Scheyer and his staff went on a tear, reeling in nine significant commitments in June that have solidified Duke’s 2026 recruiting class as one of the nation’s elite. These prospects didn’t just commit—they sent a message. From versatile wings to high-IQ guards and physically imposing bigs, each player brings something uniquely valuable to the table. Together, they form the foundation of a class built to contend for national titles and continue Duke’s storied tradition.

Here’s a look at each of the nine June commits—ranked based on talent, potential impact, and overall importance to the future of the program.

1. Jaylen McDowell (5-star PG)
The engine of the class. McDowell is a pure point guard with elite court vision, lockdown defense, and an advanced feel for the game. He committed to Duke over Kansas and Michigan, and for good reason—he’s a leader who elevates everyone around him. At 6-foot-4, he’s long, athletic, and unafraid of the big stage. If Scheyer is looking for a floor general who can run the show from day one, McDowell is that guy. His commitment alone raised the ceiling of the 2026 class.

2. Kellen Rhodes (5-star SF)
The crown jewel of the wing corps, Rhodes is a matchup nightmare. At 6-foot-8 with a silky jumper and downhill explosiveness, he blends offensive polish with defensive versatility. He’s the type of wing Duke has thrived with for decades—a player who can switch one through four and create his own shot. With NBA scouts already circling, Rhodes’ decision to join Duke adds instant star power.

3. Marcus Trent (4-star C)
Duke’s interior presence for the future, Trent isn’t just big—he’s dominant. At 6-foot-10 and 240 pounds, he anchors the paint like a seasoned veteran. What makes him special, though, is his motor and mobility. He runs the floor like a guard, sets vicious screens, and finishes through contact. Trent provides the toughness and rebounding grit that Duke desperately needs. His game is raw but rapidly developing, and in a system like Duke’s, his upside is enormous.

4. Darius Wolfe (4-star SG)
A scoring machine. Wolfe lit up EYBL circuits this summer with his deep shooting range and fearless drives to the basket. What separates him is confidence—he believes he’s the best player on the floor every night, and sometimes he is. He chose Duke over Tennessee and Villanova, citing the Blue Devils’ developmental track record and fast-paced system. Expect Wolfe to play early and often. He has the makeup of a breakout star.

5. Isaiah Bledsoe (4-star PF)
An underrated gem, Bledsoe brings grit and glue. He’s a 6-foot-7 power forward who thrives on physicality, defends multiple positions, and plays with a chip on his shoulder. His commitment flew under the radar, but coaches know he’s the kind of player who wins games in March. Bledsoe might not put up 20 points a night, but he’ll dive for loose balls, block shots, and shut down your best scorer. Every great Duke team has a guy like this.

6. Liam Chen (4-star SG)
Chen is a sniper with one of the purest shooting strokes in the class. Hailing from California, he dropped 50% from beyond the arc during his junior year and has deep range off the dribble and in catch-and-shoot situations. He’s not just a shooter, though—his basketball IQ is off the charts. He moves without the ball like a seasoned pro and always makes the right pass. Think of him as the next in line in Duke’s long lineage of cerebral sharpshooters.

7. Keon Ramsey (4-star SF)
Ramsey is all about potential. He’s long (6-foot-7), rangy, and raw—but when he flashes, he really flashes. A late bloomer from Georgia, Ramsey rose up the rankings after dominating spring tournaments and catching the eye of several high-majors. Duke offered and sealed the deal in early June. He’ll need time to refine his game, but his length and athleticism make him a tantalizing project with an NBA ceiling.

8. Seth Doyle (3-star PG)
While not as highly ranked as others, Doyle is a classic Duke “fit” recruit. He’s a coach’s dream—a floor-spacer, playmaker, and on-ball pest who makes everyone better. With McDowell likely to start at point, Doyle may serve as a strong second-unit leader, keeping the offense humming and playing mistake-free basketball. He’s the type of player who can win you tournament games when starters are in foul trouble or having an off night.

9. Carter Simons (3-star C)
Simons is the developmental big every elite program needs. At 7 feet, he’s a shot-blocking presence who’s still figuring out how to use his frame. His offensive game is limited, but he controls the glass and changes shots without fouling. Think of him as a long-term investment—a redshirt candidate or rotation piece in year one, but by year three, he could be a centerpiece rim protector.

Collectively, these nine players represent something more than just individual talent. They represent a vision for what Duke basketball is evolving into under Jon Scheyer. After following in the footsteps of Mike Krzyzewski, Scheyer needed to do more than win games—he had to prove he could build an empire. This class proves it.

The 2026 group isn’t just loaded—it’s balanced. It has star power (McDowell, Rhodes), skill (Wolfe, Chen), toughness (Trent, Bledsoe), and depth (Doyle, Ramsey, Simons). It’s a class designed to compete right away but also grow together. That blend of present readiness and future potential is the hallmark of championship teams.

The biggest takeaway from Duke’s June recruiting haul? Scheyer and his staff are winning the battles that matter. They’re locking up elite talent before their rivals even get a seat at the table. They’re building a roster that fits the modern game—positionless, switch-heavy, and fast-paced. And they’re doing it with players who want to wear that Duke jersey and understand what it means.

While bluebloods like Kentucky, Kansas, and North Carolina make headlines, it’s Duke that has quietly constructed the most well-rounded recruiting class in the nation. And if history tells us anything, a balanced Duke team is a dangerous Duke team.

There will be pressure. There always is in Durham. But with these nine commits in the fold, the Blue Devils aren’t just keeping their 2026 class afloat—they’re charting a course straight for the top of the college basketball world.

Because at Duke, good isn’t good enough.

They’re coming for greatness. They’re coming for banners.

They’re coming for the crown.