Duke Basketball Contacts Top Transfer Guard Desmond Claude
Per ESPN’s Jeff Borzello, Duke head coach Jon Scheyer and his staff have reached out to Southern Cal transfer guard Desmond Claude. The 6-foot-6, 207-pound senior, a former UNC target and four-star prospect in the transfer portal, is considered one of the top remaining talents available.
Borzello also reported that Claude is drawing interest from Gonzaga, Virginia, Ole Miss, and Kentucky. He’s reportedly seeking a backcourt partner with proven playmaking ability and a roster capable of making a deep postseason run.
Earlier Monday, On3’s Joe Tipton noted that UNC is no longer in the running for Claude, who began his college career at Xavier before transferring to Southern Cal last season.
Duke Basketball Pursuing Southern Cal Transfer Desmond Claude
ESPN’s Jeff Borzello reported Monday that Duke head coach Jon Scheyer and his staff have made contact with Southern Cal transfer guard Desmond Claude. The 6-foot-6, 207-pound rising senior, a four-star prospect in the transfer portal and former UNC target, is among the top uncommitted players still available.
As a junior last season, Claude averaged 15.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists over 33 games, starting all but one. He logged 32.4 minutes per contest while shooting 48.2% from the field, 30.7% from beyond the arc, and 76.4% from the free throw line.
Claude is also drawing interest from Gonzaga, Virginia, Ole Miss, and Kentucky. According to Borzello, he’s prioritizing programs with experienced backcourt partners and rosters built to contend deep into March.
Despite being one of the few high-major programs that hasn’t lost a single scholarship player to the portal this offseason, Duke has added just one transfer: Cedric Coward, a versatile forward who previously played at Eastern Washington and Washington State. However, Coward remains in the NBA Draft process and is now projected as a first-round pick.
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