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Duke Reacts to Big News on Five-Star Recruit Before Freshman Season

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Robert Marvi | Last updated Jun 21, 2025 12:43 AM ET

Duke men's basketball had what looked like a powerhouse team this past season. Led by freshman sensation Cooper Flagg, it was expected to win the NCAA basketball, but it fell short in the Final Four round to a less talented Houston Cougars team.

Flagg, big man Khaman Maluach and sharpshooter Kon Knueppel are all headed to the pros after making themselves for the NBA draft, which will take place next week. But Duke has had a very strong recruiting season, and it has therefore largely replenished its roster for next season.

One prospect it has gotten a commitment from is Nikolas Khamenia, a 6-foot-8 forward from the greater Los Angeles area. The school announced on its official X account that he will be on Team USA men's basketball's under-19 squad.

He will represent the United States at the FIBA U19 Men’s World Cup, which will take place in Switzerland starting on June 28. He made the cut after over 30 players were invited to tryouts.

S/O to our guy @NikolasKhamenia on making the USA U19 squad! pic.twitter.com/PW31kefXpy
— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) June 20, 2025

Khamenia grew up in North Hollywood in the San Fernando Valley just minutes north of downtown Los Angeles, and he attended Harvard-Westlake School, an elite prep school in L.A.

His father, Valery, who is originally from Belarus, once played college basketball at George Washington and is currently an assistant coach at Los Angeles Valley College.

He is considered one of the top prospects in the class of 2025, and according to 247 Sports, he is a five-star recruit. He reportedly had offers from other prominent basketball schools, including UCLA.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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