Will Duke or Kentucky return to the top of the rankings?
For most of the 2010s, you could find Duke or Kentucky with the No. 1 recruiting class in the country. They were No. 1 and No. 2 in either order every year from 2014 to 2018, again in 2020 and then once again in the 2023 class. The Wildcats have had the top class seven times (including in 2023) since John Calipari took over in 2009, while Duke has done it five times since 2014 and has finished lower than No. 2 just once in that span.So, will one of the two end up back at No. 1 in 2024? Duke has two commitments in the bag in five-star Isaiah Evans and ESPN 100 Darren Harris; Kentucky landed its first pledge of the cycle on Wednesday in ESPN 100 big man Cyril. Obviously, things are far from over. The Blue Devils are certainly in play for top-ranked Dylan Harper and just offered elite big man Flory Bidunga after he visited campus. Fast-rising five-star big man Pat Ngongba also recently picked up an offer from Duke, and ESPN 100 wings Tyler Betsey and Kon Knueppel are targets.
Calipari has a long list of targets in 2024. He's also in pursuit of Bidunga, although it remains to be seen how Cyril's commitment impacts the Wildcats' interest level. Kentucky made the final four schools for point guard Ahmad Nowell, and is one of two favorites for five-star forward Karter Knox, the younger brother of former Wildcat Kevin Knox. Tre Johnson took an official visit to Lexington in January, and Kentucky remains in the mix. Other five-star targets include Jalil Bethea, Billy Richmond and Johnuel "Boogie" Fland.
Recruiting preview: The No. 1 question, grading new coaches and... Rutgers?
What to know about the 2024 and 2025 classes as the recruiting trail's busiest month begins.
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