Jon Scheyer’s Duke Blue Devils are targeting John Blackwell and Flory Bidunga, among other top players, in the transfer portal window.
Kansas Jayhawks center Bidunga was slated to visit Duke this weekend. According to reports, he is asking for $5 million for the next season. In his second season with the Jayhawks, Bidunga averaged 13.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 2.6 blocks per game. He shot 64% from the field.
Wisconsin Badgers guard John Blackwell is another big-name target for the Blue Devils. He has narrowed his list down to Duke and Illinois. In his third season with the Badgers, he averaged 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 43% from the field, including 38.9% from the 3-point line.
As per On3’s Joe Tipton, the Blue Devils are also pushing for Alabama Crimson Tide center Aiden Sherrell. The transfer portal will close on April 21, so Scheyer will have plenty of time to pick the players best suited for his program.
The Blue Devils made it to the Elite Eight for the second time under Scheyer’s leadership. They lost 73-72 to the UConn Huskies and will now shift their focus to rebuilding the roster.
Duke has lost sophomore Darren Harris and rookie Nik Khamenia to the transfer portal, whereas Maliq Brown is graduating, and Cameron Boozer is likely going to the NBA. Isaiah Evans, Patrick Ngongba, Dame Sarr, Cayden Boozer, and Caleb Foster are likely returning next season.
Duke is the Frontrunner to Sign John Blackwell
John Blackwell hasn’t confirmed which program he’ll join this year. However, he recently told ESPN what his dreams are, and it seems like the Duke Blue Devils could be a natural fit.
Blackwell said that he’s looking to sharpen his skills to be ready for the NBA and possibly win a national championship. The Blue Devils are tailor-made for those dreams.
“It’s a tough decision,” he said. “I’m looking for a place where I can enhance my skills for the NBA and a place where I can compete for a national championship. A place where that’s the standard and what we’re striving for.”
Blackwell said that he has improved his game a lot over the years, but he still has a long way to go. He said he wants to develop into a better defender and ball-handler at his position.
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