Duke Basketball Enters Heated ACC Recruiting Battle

Duke Eyes Versatile Forward to Complete 2025 Class

Duke’s interest in Hawthorne emerged in recent weeks as the Blue Devils look to add depth and versatility to their 2025 recruiting haul. Coaches visited the Huntington Prep (W.Va.) product earlier this spring and now have him on campus, hoping to make a lasting impression.

Hawthorne’s profile has grown significantly in recent months. Once an unranked name in the national conversation, he now sits at No. 105 in the 247Sports Composite, a jump of 142 spots since December. Individual outlets rank him even higher, with 247Sports placing him at No. 71 and On3 ranking him 35th overall, making him the third-highest undecided player in the class.

Though not yet a consensus top-50 prospect, Hawthorne’s trajectory suggests he could be by the time final rankings are released.

ACC Rivals Reposition to Stay in Contention

Duke isn’t alone in targeting Hawthorne. Both Virginia Tech and Pitt have recently made staff additions that appear directly tied to his recruitment. The Hokies re-hired Chester Frazier, a former West Virginia assistant who worked under Darian DeVries and helped recruit Hawthorne before DeVries left for Indiana. Meanwhile, Pitt added Jay Kuntz, who served as Director of Recruiting at West Virginia during that same period.

Hawthorne had originally committed to the Mountaineers, but requested and was granted a release from his National Letter of Intent in March after the coaching change. The moves by Virginia Tech and Pitt seem to reflect an effort to reestablish ties and offer continuity during his re-evaluation process.

He has already made visits to Kentucky, Pitt, and Virginia Tech, with Duke now hosting him during a crucial stage in his decision-making.

Strategic Fit for Duke's Evolving Roster

For Duke, Hawthorne represents a potential final piece to an already impressive 2025 class that includes five-star forwards Nikolas Khamenia and Cameron Boozer, along with guard Cayden Boozer. The program expects to blend this incoming talent with a mix of returners and experienced transfers.

While it’s unclear when Hawthorne plans to make his decision, the trajectory of his recruitment and the investment from multiple ACC programs suggest his commitment will be significant. Whether Duke can leverage this weekend’s visit into a long-term relationship remains to be seen, but it’s clear they’re in a strong position as the landscape shifts.