Duke’s 2022 class is the best since _?

Duke has long been in the first tier of the team recruiting rankings. Since 2013, they have finished with the No. 1 rated recruiting class four times, more than anyone else. Duke has brought in 21 players ranked among the top ten and finished with top three classes in eight of the previous ten years.

After On3 updated its 2022 rankings, Duke is again in the top spot with four players ranked among the top ten. This fact stands out immediately, how many classes have had four of the top ten players and three in the top five?

Duke’s 2022 class pairs together well positionally, and it has depth; PF Kyle Filipowski is No. 1, C Dereck Lively No. 3, SF Dariq Whitehead No. 4, SF Mark Mitchell No. 10, SG Jaden Schutt No. 61. Three-star C Christian Reeves rounds out the six-man class.

A look back over the past ten recruiting cycles, this is the first one that has had four players ranked among the top ten since Duke’s 2018 class. Zion Williamson (5), Cam Reddish (3), Tre Jones (10), RJ Barrett (1), and three-star Joey Baker. This class also had three players in the top five. Williamson is the headliner here. With his explosion and power mixed in with his IQ and motor, he is a generational talent. Williamson is the best player, and the 2022 class does not have that generational talent.

Looking beyond Williamson, Barrett and Reddish – now teammates with the Knicks – were both lottery picks. While not all-stars, both are experiencing promising pro careers to this point. Tre Jones was a second-round pick out of that class, and Joey Baker is currently a senior captain.

You cannot really compare these two classes with one another because 2018 has already played itself through, and you can speak on the careers they have. The 2022 class is still in high school and, in its infancy, they have not been able to put their mark on the basketball world.

We can agree that the 2022 Duke class does not have a Zion Williamson-type. However, the depth of the class does make it interesting, and It will also be compelling to see what else Duke brings in as a part of this class. The Blue Devils have a history of recruiting from the portal as well as taking players who classify up; neither is out of the question here.

We want to hear from you. This Duke class, with four players in the top ten, is the best high school class since ___? (please leave your comments)

Other notable classes from last 10 years

Kentucky’s 2013 class included Andrew Harrison (4), Julius Randle (2), Aaron Harrison (5), Dakari Johnson (7), Marcus Lee (20), Derek Willis (91), three-star Dominique Hawkins.

Duke’s 2016 class brought in three top ten players with Harry Giles (2), Frank Jackson (5), and Jayson Tatum (6). Marques Bolden (16) was also a part of this class with three-star Jack White.

Duke’s 2017 class again had three in the top ten with Marvin Bagley (1), Wendell Carter (8), and Trevon Duval (7). This class also included Gary Trent, Jr. (16), Jordan Tucker (47), Alex O’Connell (88), and three-star Jordan Goldwire.