Duke pads second-ranked 2020 class by adding top-50 recruit Henry Coleman
The Duke Blue Devils’ 2020 recruiting class was already shaping up to be another impressive haul when Mike Krzyzewski landed another stud on Friday.
In front of friends and family at Richmond’s Trinity Episcopal School, four-star power forward Henry Coleman became the latest top-50 recruit to commit to Duke.
.@TES_Athletics’ Henry Coleman is continuing his basketball and academic career at Duke. @NBC12 pic.twitter.com/UXDEIgjCpn
— Marc Davis (@marcdavissports) September 27, 2019
Ranked as the No. 44 overall prospect and No. 7 at his position, Coleman joins small forward Jalen Johnson (No. 5), point guard Jeremy Roach (No. 24) and shooting guard D.J. Steward (No. 31) in an exciting, well-rounded class. And they’re not done yet, either, with offers still out to top-10 recruits Cade Cunningham and Ziaire Williams.
“Coach K talked about it not being just a one-, two-, three- or four-year plan, but rather, it is a 40-year play and to just be a part of that brotherhood, it really stood out to me,” Coleman said, via Rivals.com. “He talked about that I would know whenever I got onto campus if it was the right school, and I truly did feel that.
“He is the best in the game. That program is top-three or No. one, to me, but that program has had so much history, and it is just a great group of guys around it with great coaches that I related to.”
Henry Coleman gives Duke a throwback 4 with long arms, a powerful body, & high-motor. Unlikely to be offensive focal point but ideal complimentary guy at highest level pic.twitter.com/RS0km0Bjd8
— Adam Finkelstein (@AdamFinkelstein) September 27, 2019
Given that he lacks the prototypical size for a NBA power forward at 6-foot-7, Coleman could be a multiyear big in the mold of Amile Jefferson, Lance Thomas or Marques Bolden. However, if he expands his jumper beyond mid-range, Krzyzewski is hoping he can take on a role similar to Justice Winslow or Matt Jones.
Coleman had offers from Virginia, Michigan, Kansas, Florida and Ohio State, among other schools, but he’ll join the next in a long line of deep Duke teams. With his addition, Duke moves up to second in Rivals’ team rankings, narrowly trailing only Kentucky.
“I can come in and make an immediate impact,” Coleman said. “[Krzyzewski] needs to revamp and he says that I am a really good leader and a guy that can really help with that program.”
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