If Kyrie Irving’s comments during a telephone conference with reporters this afternoon are any indication, Class of 2011 forward DeAndre Daniels may soon be committed to the Blue Devils.
During a conference scheduled to discuss Irving’s decision to enter the NBA draft, Irving was asked if he had given thought to how good Duke might have been next season if he had decided to return.
“That’s something I’ve thought about considerably because of the talent that we’ll have next year,” Irving said. “I think this year’s team was really special and I think next year’s team would be really special if I were to return.
“I think we have about five recruits coming in with the addition of DeAndre Daniels. That’s five recruits. So it would be really special, so that would give me a chance to lead the team. . . .If I were to return, it would be a really special team.”
Daniels, a 6-foot-8 forward rated No. 35 in the nation by scout.com, has not announced a commitment. He has opened up his recruiting after rescinding an earlier commitment to Texas.
If Daniels does choose Duke, it wouldn’t be a surprise. Andy Borman, the basketball director at IMG in Bradenton, Fla., played for Duke from 1999 to 2004.
IMG basketball operations director Greg Spatola is the brother of Duke director of basketball operations Chris Spatola, who is married to Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski’s daughter, Jamie.
Efforts to reach Borman for comment on whether Daniels has committed to Duke were not immediately successful.
Duke already has signed Austin Rivers, Marshall Plumlee, Michael Gbinije and Quinn Cook in the Class of 2011.
