si
Five-star prospects frequently express admiration for the Duke basketball program, and Jon Scheyer has secured multiple top-ranked recruiting classes during his five cycles as head coach. His staff has also developed five NBA lottery picks in center Dereck Lively II, center Khaman Maluach, guard Kon Knueppel, forward Cooper Flagg, and forward Cameron Boozer. Now, Harlan High School (Texas) five-star forward London Jackson has joined the ranks of elite prep talents who have acknowledged a childhood affinity for Duke basketball.
"Duke was my favorite team growing up," Jackson told reporters this weekend at the USA Basketball Men's Junior National Team October Minicamp in Colorado Springs, Colo., where he solidified his standing among the event's top performers. According to Zagsblog's Matt Whitfield, who covered the event, Jackson has already been in contact with Scheyer. "I've talked to Duke," said the 6-foot-7, 205-pound left-handed wing, "but they haven't offered me yet." At this early stage in his recruitment, Jackson's offer list includes five high-major programs: Georgia Tech, Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, and Texas.
Scouting Report on Potential Duke Basketball Target London Jackson
If Jon Scheyer and his staff begin extending offers in the 2029 recruiting cycle, London Jackson's current ranking of No. 7 overall on ESPN's 2029 SCNEXT 25 indicates he will be a prime candidate for that Blue Devil wishlist. "The attributes that immediately caught our attention were his frame, shooting prowess, and skill with the ball," 247Sports' Dushawn London observed after watching Jackson compete a couple of weeks ago. "Still an underclassman, Jackson already possesses a physically strong, college-ready frame. He uses his strength to move defenders out of his way when getting downhill and does a good job staying balanced through contact. He couples those physical tools with a pretty-looking long-range jumper and enough skill with the ball to make plays off a live dribble in spurts. He shoots more of a set shot from deep, and projecting ahead, he looks best suited as a designated long-range bomber who can keep the ball moving and attack closeouts."
Duke Basketball Recruiting Update
Scheyer and his powerhouse recruiting team currently boast a two-deep 2027 collection with early commitments from Wisconsin Lutheran forward Kager Knueppel and Australian point guard Luke Paul. On the 2028 trail, they recently hosted Coatesville Area High School (Pa.) Colton Hiller on an official visit and also have an offer out to St. Francis High School (Calif.) center Yann Kamagate. However, both of those targets are candidates to reclassify to 2027.
Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience. Follow MattGilesBD.