Duke Basketball Target Finished With Visits, Talks Decision’

Duke basketball’s pursuit of VJ Edgecombe might be in its homestretch.

This week, League Ready spoke to Long Island Island Lutheran High School (N.Y.) five-star and longtime Duke basketball offer holder VJ Edgecombe about his ongoing recruitment. The 6-foot-5, 180-pound guard noted that he’ll likely choose a winner within “the next couple of months or so.”

Edgecombe, No. 5 overall on the 247Sports 2024 Composite, added that he doesn’t plan to visit any more schools before announcing his decision. He’s checked out Florida, Baylor, Duke, Kentucky, and St. John’s, almost half of his 11 finalists (the other six are UConn, Florida State, Miami, Michigan, Alabama, and G League Ignite).

What will be the most important deciding factor?

“Relationship with the coaching staff,” VJ Edgecombe told League Ready after attending the Blue Devils’ Countdown to Craziness during his official visit in October. “You want to join a team where you’ll be appreciated and needed.” So that’s the most important thing for me.”

On Friday night, in an 81-68 win over Mater Dei (Calif.) at the Hoopfest in Paradise in the Bahamas, the 18-year-old showman showed again why he’s such a coveted prospect. He tallied 30 points on 12-for-14 shooting from the field, adding 12 rebounds and five assists.

For now, all three 247Sports experts who have entered Crystal Ball predictions for the Edgecombe sweepstakes see second-year Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer and his staff prevailing to further fortify what is already a five-deep, top-ranked 2024 Blue Devil recruiting class.