Grayson Allen is the first commit of what could be a pretty full 2014 class. Credit: SCOTT WHEELER — THE LAKELAND LEDGER

It's not too often that a high-level basketball recruit publicly identifies his dream school from the start of his recruiting process.

But that's exactly what Grayson Allen, a shooting guard from Jacksonville Providence High, did. He told everyone that would listen that he wanted to go to Duke, and he became Duke's first 2014 commit shortly after Jeff Capel, Steve Wojciechowski and Mike Krzyzewski visited him at home and extended him an offer. You can read the full story on Allen here.

Jabari Parker, seen here in December, has sent his letter of intent to Duke. Credit: CHARLES REX ARBOGAST/AP

It's official: Jabari Parker is coming to Duke.

Parker, the No. 2 overall prospect in the class of 2013, committed to the Blue Devils on December 20th during a special ESPNU broadcast of his decision. But he couldn't sign until the spring, and he signed his binding letter of intent Wednesday at Chicago high school, Simeon Career Academy.

Duke picked up its first commitment for the class of 2014 Wednesday, when 6-foot-4 shooting guard Grayson Allen chose the Blue Devils. According to ESPN, Allen is a 4-star player who ranks 36th in his class.

Jabari Parker is coming to Duke.

The No. 2 recruit of the class of 2013 ended months of speculation when he announced he will sign the Blue Devils Thursday afternoon. Parker made his decision live from his Chicago high school, Simeon Career Academy, on ESPNU.

“In the fall of 2013, I will be attending...” Parker said, as he attempted to pull a T-shirt out of a black bag, “I will be attending Duke University.”

Parker cited Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski as the reason for his decision.

“He has played a key role in my development throughout high school, just telling me basic things and what I need to do,” Parker said. “I just felt comfortable.”

Jabari Parker is one of Duke's top targets. Credit: AP

The wait is on.

Per ESPN Chicago, Jabari Parker, considered the top 2013 basketball recruit, is not planning on committing during the early signing period. If Parker doesn't sign with a school during the Nov. 14-21 window, he will have to wait until at least April 17 to make any commitment official.

"I would like for him to commit and sign in one day," Parker's father Sonny Parker told ESPN Chicago. "He's doing this thing on his own, and I just have to support him. From what I'm hearing (from him), he's going to commit probably in December."

It's down to five for the nation's top basketball recruit.

According to ESPN Chicago, Jabari Parker, a 6-foot-8 small forward who is ranked No. 1 overall in the class of 2013, is still considering Duke, Michigan State, Florida, Stanford and BYU. North Carolina—along with hometown team DePaul, Kansas, Georgetown and Kentucky—was eliminated.

"He thought about it and looked at the programs. That's the five he had," Robert Smith, Parker's high school coach, told ESPN Chicago Friday. "It took him a long time to find. Everyone was really good, but he had to make a decision. He really respected everyone recruiting him and wanted to thank them for their time. He knew he couldn't make everyone happy."

Earlier this week, I caught up with ESPN senior recruiting analyst Dave Telep about Duke's latest recruit, Semi (pronounced Shem-ee) Ojeleye. The 6-foot-6, 215-pound small forward committed to Mike Krzyzewski Sunday night.

Q: What are your general impressions of Semi?

A: Semi is a guy that has a college-ready body. A real balanced approach to the game. He is a threat behind the line. He can put it on the floor and beat you with the mid-range jump shot, and I think the thing about Semi is that he has gotten better since last year. It sounds very simple, but that doesn’t happen for a lot of guys.

Q: How has he gotten better?

Duke has received a commitment from Michael Gbinije, a 6-foot-6,
180-pound junior basketball wing player from Richmond (Va.)
Benedictine.