Two top guards from the 2026 high school class—Brandon McCoy of St. John Bosco High School and Jordan Smith Jr. of Paul VI Catholic High School—recently visited the Duke Blue Devils as they prepare for their college careers.
As high schoolers and prospective recruits, McCoy is ranked the No. 2 overall player and No. 1 point guard, while Smith is ranked the No. 6 overall player and No. 3 shooting guard, making both quite formidable prospects.
How Do They Feel About The Duke Blue Devils?
McCoy’s talent has attracted numerous programs, with offers from Duke, Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, California, San Diego State, Stanford, UCLA, and USC. Smith has also drawn interest, receiving scholarship offers from Duke, Arkansas, Kentucky, Houston, Florida State, and Louisville, among others.
Their official visit to Duke has generated buzz across the basketball community.
What makes it especially noteworthy is that, despite attending different schools, both players are seriously considering the same program—and both have expressed interest in joining the Blue Devils.
Two of the best guards in the 2026 HS class teamed up at the USAB minicamp in San Antonio and were unstoppable. My interview with Brandon McCoy and Jordan Smith Jr and candid answers about recruiting and possibly playing together at the college level. pic.twitter.com/zC27vEFqtn
— Krysten Peek (@krystenpeek) April 9, 2025
McCoy and Smith previously showcased their skills together at the USA Basketball Minicamp in San Antonio, Texas. Standing at 6’4″ and 6’2″, respectively, both players have said they are excited about the possibility of teaming up again if they land in Durham.
Despite the distance between Duke and their respective high schools, both McCoy and Smith have shared positive impressions of the program and said it’s a team they’d love to be a part of. After receiving his offer from Duke, McCoy said, “I want to play for a coach I trust, someone who wants the best for me.”
The statement reflected the warm reception he received during his visit, especially how the staff treated him throughout. More importantly, Duke’s winning reputation in major tournaments and conferences played a significant role in shaping his outlook.
Smith also shared his thoughts: “I like that they’re trying to switch things up from what they were the last couple years. They got a new coach, and Coach (Pat) Kelsey is trying to switch up their scheme and trying to play fast as much as possible. Watching them play, it looks like their scheme is working. They’re beating ranked teams and all, I’ve been impressed so far.”
This season, Duke notched eight conference wins by margins of 25 points or more.
MORE: Jon Scheyer Thanks Duke Seniors Following Tournament Loss
With Jon Scheyer leading the way, there’s no doubt the Blue Devils remain a powerhouse in college basketball—and that success has likely caught the attention of both players.
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