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No. 1 prospect R.J. Barrett commits to Duke

Rowan Barrett Jr. #6 of UPlay Canada

Rowan Barrett Jr. #6 of UPlay Canada

Over the course of the last six months, Duke has become the single-greatest recruiting force in the basketball world.

For the fourth time since August and the fifth time since May, the Blue Devils have landed a commitment from a player that is considered to be the best player at their position in their class: Trevon Duval, Marvin Bagley III, Tre Jones, Cameron Reddish and, as of Friday evening, R.J. Barrett.

Barrett is a 6-foot-6 wing from Canada that was the best player at the U19 World Cup this summer, leading the Canadians to a gold medal with a performance that included a 38-point, 13-rebound and six-assist outburst against the Americans in the semifinals.

Barrett is considered by many to be the top recruit in the Class of 2018, although he may not even be the best wing prospect that Duke is bringing into the fold next season. Reddish may end up being the best NBA player in the Class of 2018. Duke is going to have to find some size somewhere, particularly if the trio of Marvin Bagley III, Wendell Carter and Marques Bolden all head to the NBA after the season, but even if they do, the perimeter talent on the Blue Devil roster next year will be undeniable.