NBA Scouts Eyeing Three Blue Devils Current Players

In Beaverton, Oregon, Mark Mitchell, Jared McCain, and Caleb Foster, who are part of the Duke basketball team, are participating in the Nike Skills Academy. This event allows them to showcase their skills to NBA scouts eyeing to recruit, with each session being attended by representatives from up to two NBA teams. These players are considered potential first-round draft picks for the 2024 NBA draft and makeup nearly 20% of the college roster, which consists of 16 players.

Kentucky and Oregon are the only other schools with multiple current players at the Nike Skills Academy. Rob Dillingham and DJ Wagner from Kentucky, as well as Kwame Evans and Jackson Shelstad from Oregon, are also taking part in the event.

Additionally, the high school roster of 18 members includes Isaiah Evans, a Duke basketball commit from North Mecklenburg High School in North Carolina. Evans is a five-star prospect and is ranked 19th overall in the 2024 Composite rankings by 247Sports.

Furthermore, Duke basketball has its eyes on two notable prospects: Dylan Harper, a five-star combo guard from Don Bosco Prep in New Jersey, who is ranked first in the 2024 class, and Cooper Flagg, a five-star small forward from Montverde Academy in Florida, who holds the second spot in the 2025 rankings.

It’s important for NBA scouts to note that the presence of Duke basketball players is a significant aspect of these high-profile offseason showcases and training events. This exposure also provides an opportunity for the Duke coaching staff to engage in behind-the-scenes recruiting efforts.

Mark Mitchell, a returning starter from the previous season, is gaining attention in early 2024 mock drafts as a potential mid-to-late first-round draft pick. Similarly, McCain and Foster, both newcomers to the Duke basketball team, are also being considered in these mock drafts, although some speculate that they may stay with the Blue Devils for more than one season.