TJ Power commits to Duke basketball, adds to Jon Scheyer’s top-ranked recruiting class
Duke and UNC joined TJ Power’s list of recruiters late, compared to other ACC schools.
The late pursuit paid off for the Blue Devils.
The 6-foot-8 Power committed to Duke on Wednesday, announcing his decision during a live appearance on YouTube from his high school.
“Ever since I was little,” Power said,. “I wanted to play in the biggest stage in college, and Duke is the biggest stage. That’s what’s great about my experience is that I didn’t have to sacrifice anything as far as fit, relationship.”
His decision only adds more talent to Duke coach Jon Scheyer’s 2023 recruiting class that was already ranked No. 1 in the country. Named Mike Krzyzewski’s successor in June 2021, Scheyer put together the No. 1 recruiting class for 2022 and will coach those players this season in his first as Duke’s head coach.
The 33-year-old Scheyer’s approach impressed Power.
“Our relationship, bottom line, is what really got me,” Power said. “Being a younger coach, he’s super relatable and having a chip on his shoulder to step into that position to really prove himself. And I can relate to a lot of those same things.”
A five-star recruit, rated No. 24 nationally in the 2023 class in the 247sports.com composite rankings, Power joins four other five-star recruits planning to play for Duke next season. He’s a small forward with strong 3-point shooting skills.
Two of the top-10 players of the class — 6-8 power forward Mackenzie Mgbako (No. 5) and 6-8 power forward Sean Stewart (No. 8) — have committed along with 6-5 point guard Caleb Foster (No. 13) and 6-4 combo guard Jared McCain (No. 18).
“I think the way Coach Scheyer wants to play and the way he’s making these classes and his team, it fits my game,” Power said. “Play fast. Move the ball. Be able to shoot.”
Power, who plays at Worcester Academy in Massachusetts, drew early attention from ACC schools like Boston College, Miami, Georgia Tech and Wake Forest, which all offered him last year. This spring, Virginia and Notre Dame joined that list.
Strong play on the summer grassroots circuit, indicated by his rise from No. 65 in the 247sports.com composite rankings to No. 24, caused programs like Duke, UNC, UCLA and Kansas to offer him scholarships in July.
Power visited UNC on July 25 and Duke the following day. Heading into this commitment announcement, Power had Duke, UNC, Virginia, Boston College and Iowa as his finalists.
This story was originally published September 7, 2022 at 5:11 PM with the headline "TJ Power commits to Duke basketball, adds to Jon Scheyer’s top-ranked recruiting class."