Duke Coaches Visited 2029 Basketball Prospects
The Duke coaching staff traveled to evaluate two top-ranked sophomore basketball players this week.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Basketball
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Duke University coaching staff members visited high school campuses this week to scout two members of the 2029 recruiting class. The staff evaluated Jordan Costley and Harlem Nunez during their respective school programs.
Why it matters
The visits signal the beginning of the program's long-term recruitment efforts for the 2029 class. Currently, the team has not extended any scholarship offers to players in this group as they continue their early monitoring process.
Jordan Costley stands 6-foot-4 at 160 pounds and is ranked No. 49 overall, while Harlem Nunez is 6-foot-8 at 205 pounds and holds the No. 33 spot in the 2029 recruiting class rankings.
The players
Jordan Costley
He is a 6-foot-4 sophomore point guard from Springdale Prep who is ranked No. 49 overall in the 2029 class.
Harlem Nunez
He is a 6-foot-8 sophomore prospect from The St. James who holds the No. 33 ranking in the 2029 class.
The details
Duke coaches visited Springdale Prep on Wednesday to observe Costley, a sophomore point guard, and followed up on Thursday at The St. James to evaluate Nunez. These in-person scouting sessions are part of an early evaluation phase that includes monitoring performance across high school and circuit events.
Timeline
Wednesday, September 30, 2026: Duke staff visited Springdale Prep for Jordan Costley.
Thursday, October 1, 2026: Duke staff visited The St. James for Harlem Nunez.
Season Trajectory
These early scouting trips establish the initial evaluation framework for future roster development years before these players reach collegiate eligibility. The staff's current focus on the 2029 class underscores the long-term planning required to remain competitive in high-major recruiting.
Duke has maintained a policy of zero scholarship offers for the 2029 class as of October 1. These early evaluations serve as the preliminary data points for potential future recruitment and roster composition.
The takeaway
Early evaluation trips allow coaching staffs to track the growth of prospects throughout their high school careers. Fans of the program can expect a multi-year monitoring process before formal scholarship offers are extended to these young athletes.
Further reading
For more information on the team's current development, visit Durham Basketball.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sports Illustrated.
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