Finally, the Duke Blue Devils have secured the No. 1 recruiting class in the 2025 cycle, a process that was already in motion with the commitment of five-star guard Dame Sarr last Thursday.
However, their top-ranked position became official on Friday, when four-star power forward Sebastian Wilkins committed to Duke and reclassified from the 2026 class to 2025.
Landing a five-star recruit and then securing a four-star power forward within a single day is undeniably praiseworthy for the Blue Devils. However, the challenge now is that their recruiting class is already stacked with elite talent. So, can four-star power forward Wilkins break into the starting five?
Top Recruit Sebastian Wilkins Faces Tough Battle for Duke Starting Spot
Right now, no team in the 2025 college basketball cycle has a more loaded roster than the Blue Devils. Fans and analysts are already debating whether head coach Jon Scheyer is the best recruiter in the country.
With Duke holding the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation, that argument carries weight. But this stacked lineup also brings a big challenge, especially for the latest recruit.
“It was amazing. I had a real good time, me and my family. It’s..it’s…it’s…amazing. I can’t lie. I already knew about the history of the program but kind of learning about what it takes to get to that and what steps they take, that was really interesting (the standards… pic.twitter.com/jgRnHQKyQM
— Blue Devil Voices (@DukeEchoes) May 21, 2025
After a tough Final Four loss to the Houston Cougars, Duke is ready to bounce back with a strong showing. Although star player Cooper Flagg declared for the 2025 NBA Draft, the team’s new recruits make the roster very deep.
Among the incoming recruits are Cameron and Cayden Boozer, along with five-star talents Nikolas Khamenia and Dame Sarr. It’s a class built on both skill and potential. In the middle of this hype, only Wilkins and Cayden Boozer are four-star recruits.
This shows the team’s depth, but also means the starting five spots are highly contested. Wilkins, ranked No. 32 overall, picked Duke over Maryland. He liked Duke’s clear vision for his growth and appreciated the honest approach of the coaching staff.
He is a versatile forward who can play and defend multiple positions. This flexibility makes him valuable in Duke’s lineup. Still, he’s not expected to be the team’s immediate offensive star, but his 3-and-D skill set and ability to attack closeouts might give him an edge.
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Duke’s frontcourt is already crowded, with big names like Cameron Boozer and Nikolas Khamenia projected to play major roles. That means Wilkins will have to shine in preseason workouts and exhibition games to make a strong case for a starting spot.
So, currently, his best path may be as a high-impact reserve who provides defensive versatility and energy off the bench. If he adapts quickly to Duke’s system, he could carve out a larger role as the season progresses.
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