Five of the six Duke University basketball recruits and UNC basketball recruit Drake Powell were set to showcase their skills Sunday at the Jordan Brand Classic in Brooklyn.
Cooper Flagg, Con Knuppel, Isaiah Evans, Darren Harris and Patrick Gomba II are part of head coach John Scheyer's 2024 recruiting class, the top-ranked group according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings. be.
Flagg, Harris, and Knuppel suit up for Team Air. Evans, Gomba and Powell — one of the Tar Heels' top recruits in the 2024 class — participated in a team flight that ended in a 119-113 victory at Barclays Center.
Rutgers rookie Dylan Harper was the star of the showcase, scoring 30 points on the team flight. Flagg had 19 points and 10 rebounds for Team Air.
The event, now in its 23rd year, was created to honor the legacy of Brooklyn-born UNC legend Michael Jordan.
Here's a look at how each of the Duke freshmen and Powell fared in Sunday's showcase featuring some of the nation's best high school senior basketball players.
Cooper Flagg, Duke University Basketball
The 6-foot-9 wing from Maine was one of the top players in the McDonald's All-American game and the Nike Hoop Summit game. Flagg continued that trend as one of Brooklyn's stars, displaying his skills as a scorer, rebounder, and defender. Given his talent as a two-way player, it's easy to see why Flagg is expected to be a top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Drake Powell, UNC Basketball
Powell, a McDonald's All-American, flashed length and athleticism as a 6-foot-6 wing, with a defense not typically displayed in the All-Star Game. He had a deflection, a steal, a rebound, two dunks, a 3-pointer and several layups. The Pittsboro native's athleticism will make him a fan favorite in Chapel Hill.
Isaiah Evans, Duke Basketball
A McDonald's All-American and Nike Hoop Summit participant, Evans became one of North Carolina's top scorers during his time at North Mecklenburg High School. The 6-foot-7 wing from Huntersville showed off his scoring ability in Brooklyn with several treys, pull-up jumpers and finishing at the rim. Evans will bring immediate offense to Durham.
Patrick Gomba II, Duke Basketball
The 6-foot-11 Gomba spent most of his senior season recovering from a broken foot and missed the Nike Hoop Summit game. He got time on the court in the Jordan Brand Classic and showed his potential in the second half with several rebounds and a bucket in the paint for his 3. With Duke's frontcourt depth, Gomba will have a chance to recover over time.
Con Knuppel II, Duke Basketball
Knuppel, a 6-foot-5 wing from Wisconsin, averaged 26.4 points, 8.8 rebounds and 5.1 assists in his final high school season. As he showed at Barclays Center, he's more than just a shooter. Knuppel made two jumpers and two two-handed dunks in the paint at the Jumpman Classic.
Darren Harris, Duke University Basketball
Harris, a 6-foot-5 guard from Virginia, is known as one of the best shooters in the nation. His range allows Harris to fill it in a hurry. He hit 3-pointers from the wing, played great individual defense and found the flag on a three-quarter court pass for a dunk in transition.
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at:rbaxley@fayobserver.com Or @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter.