By JACK LeGWIN & ADAM ZAGORIA
As many had expected, Chase Jeter, No. 13 on the ESPN 100, verbally committed to Duke Monday night on ESPNU.
And he’s already recruiting 6-8 Brandon Ingram to join him. Ingram is due to take an official to Duke Thursday-Saturday after visiting UCLA unofficially Tuesday.
“Shoutout to my bro @chasejeter04 for committing to Duke today!” Ingram Tweeted.
Jeter responded by Tweeting at Ingram, “#DukeWantsIngram.”
(For more on Ingram’s recruitment, read here.)
Duke has long been considered the favorite for the 6-foot-11 power forward from Las Vegas Bishop Gorman, who also considered Arizona, Kansas, Oregon, UCLA and UNLV.
“I just loved the feel and the environment,” Jeter said after putting up 16 points, 14 rebounds and 4 blocks at Adidas Nations. “Cameron Indoor is a great place, and a great basketball environment, so I thought it was the right place for me.”
Duke made Jeter a priority this summer, sending three coaches, including Coach K, to watch him at the Adidas Unrivaled Camp in Chicago in July.
Duke was four deep for Jeter at the at the Adidas Super 64 in Las Vegas in late July, where he went for 24 points and 17 rebounds in the loss to Indiana Elite in the championship game.
Jeter joins Franklin (Ohio) shooting guard Luke Kennard and Rice transfer Sean Obi in Duke’s 2015 recruiting class. They remain in the mix for several other players, including Ingram, Ivan Rabb, Henry Ellenson and Caleb Swanigan. Jeter had nothing but words of praise for the high scoring and smooth Kennard.
“I know that he can shoot the lights out of the gym,” Jeter said. “He’s also a great player and a great passer as well, so I’m looking forward to playing with him.”
There are 10 big men in the top 15 of ESPN’s rankings, and ESPN National recruiting analyst Paul Biancardi says that Jeter belongs with the best of the best.
“In a class where the big men make it special, Jeter is one of the elite post players,” Biancardi said.
“He has the ability to score in the low post with his back to the basket utilizing the jump hook inside, his go-to move. Additionally, he is a very committed and consistent rebounder who runs the floor well resulting in easy baskets on offense and preventing them on defense.”
Photo: Brandon Ingram
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