Duke Recruiting: Blue Devils Extend Offer to Four-Star Forward Maximo Adams, Targeting Versatile Scorer to Bolster 2025 Class.

The Duke Blue Devils continue to assert their dominance on the recruiting trail, this time turning their focus westward. Head coach Jon Scheyer and his staff have extended a scholarship offer to Maximo Adams, a rising four-star forward out of Narbonne High School in Harbor City, California. The 6-foot-7 Adams, ranked among the top 75 players nationally in the 2025 class, is widely regarded for his elite versatility, high basketball IQ, and ability to impact both ends of the court.

For a program like Duke—rich with recruiting tradition and stocked with high-upside talent year after year—the offer to Adams represents more than just a routine extension. It signals the staff’s commitment to broadening their recruiting reach, identifying under-the-radar impact players, and assembling a 2025 class that can compete at the highest level in the ACC and beyond.

Who Is Maximo Adams?

Maximo Adams has quickly risen in national recruiting circles due to his blend of size, skill, and feel for the game. A 6-foot-7 forward with a developing perimeter game and excellent footwork inside the paint, Adams offers the type of modern versatility that elite programs crave.

As a junior at Narbonne, Adams averaged 18.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game while showcasing a steadily improving outside shot and the ability to guard multiple positions. He’s fluid in transition, confident from mid-range, and has shown flashes of three-level scoring.

Scouts praise his motor and instincts, particularly on the defensive end. Whether it’s contesting shots at the rim or switching out to guard wings, Adams projects as a two-way contributor at the next level.

“He’s a coach’s dream,” one West Coast scout said. “Maximo has the length and athleticism to match up with college forwards right now, but it’s his mentality—his hunger to get better—that separates him. He wants to win.”

Why Duke Offered

With Duke already targeting multiple five-star prospects in the 2025 cycle, including Koa Peat, Caleb Wilson, and Cameron Boozer, the decision to offer Adams underscores a strategic emphasis on depth, positional versatility, and long-term development.

Scheyer’s coaching philosophy hinges on having interchangeable pieces who can space the floor, defend multiple positions, and adapt to varying game tempos. Adams fits that mold perfectly. While he may not have the same household name recognition as some of Duke’s other targets, his upside is undeniable.

According to recruiting insiders, Duke had been closely monitoring Adams over the summer, particularly during his impressive performances on the Adidas 3SSB circuit, where he showcased a polished offensive game and improved ball-handling skills. Scheyer and lead assistant Chris Carrawell reportedly watched Adams in person at a July evaluation event in California, leaving convinced that he was worthy of an offer.

“The staff loved what they saw from Maximo this summer,” said a source close to Duke’s recruiting team. “He plays hard, he’s coachable, and he brings a level of toughness that Jon Scheyer really values.”

Adams Reacts to the Duke Offer

Shortly after the offer was made public, Adams took to social media to share his excitement, tweeting, “Beyond blessed to receive an offer from Duke University! All glory to God! #BlueDevilNation”

In a follow-up interview with local media, Adams described the offer as “surreal.”

“Duke is one of those programs you dream about as a kid,” Adams said. “To know that they see something in me—that they believe I can contribute to what they’re building—it means everything.”

He also spoke highly of his conversations with Scheyer, noting that the head coach emphasized player development and the importance of being part of something bigger than yourself.

“Coach Scheyer told me he likes my versatility and the energy I bring,” Adams added. “He said they’re building a team with guys who can do a little bit of everything and play unselfish basketball.”

Where Duke Stands in His Recruitment

Duke is far from the only school pursuing Maximo Adams. The four-star forward currently holds offers from several high-major programs including Arizona, UCLA, Texas, Oregon, and Kansas. USC and Stanford are also expected to be major players in his recruitment, given their proximity to his home in Southern California.

Still, the Duke offer could change the trajectory of his recruitment entirely. The Blue Devils carry unmatched prestige, and their reputation for sending wings and forwards to the NBA is well-documented—from Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram to recent standouts like Paolo Banchero.

Adams has not yet set an official visit schedule, but sources close to his camp suggest that a trip to Durham is likely to happen in the fall. If and when that visit takes place, Duke could quickly emerge as a favorite.

“The Duke offer definitely turned heads,” said one West Coast recruiting analyst. “Adams was already being recruited by a lot of top programs, but Duke is Duke. That’s a different level of exposure, opportunity, and expectation.”

How Adams Fits Duke’s 2025 Vision

Duke’s 2025 recruiting strategy seems centered around building a roster that balances elite talent with long-term program fit. While five-star players like Cameron and Cayden Boozer could provide star power and immediate impact, a player like Adams offers a more nuanced value—he’s the type of glue guy who becomes indispensable by year two or three.

If Adams were to commit, he could fill a role similar to that of recent Blue Devils like Mark Mitchell or Jalen Johnson—versatile forwards capable of defending multiple spots, pushing the pace, and knocking down open looks. His presence would also allow Duke to play smaller, switch-heavy lineups, which have become increasingly common in the modern college game.

Moreover, Adams is known for his strong character, high work ethic, and leadership qualities—all traits that align with Duke’s cultural blueprint under Scheyer.

“He’s a tone-setter,” said one AAU coach. “When he’s on the floor, the energy changes. That’s the kind of guy you want in your program.”

What’s Next?

As Adams continues through the final stretch of his AAU season and prepares for a senior campaign with Narbonne High School, his national profile is likely to grow. More blue-blood programs could come calling, but Duke’s early entry into the mix may give them an edge—especially if the staff stays consistent in their pursuit.

Expect Adams to trim his list by the fall and potentially sign during the early signing period in November. Should he visit Durham and leave impressed, Duke fans might be welcoming yet another West Coast talent to the storied program.

For now, Maximo Adams remains one of the most intriguing names to watch in the 2025 cycle. And with a Duke offer now in hand, his recruitment is sure to accelerate.

Jon Scheyer and the Blue Devils have sent a strong message by offering Maximo Adams: Duke is not just chasing stars—they’re building a team. With Adams’ skill set, mindset, and potential, he fits the vision perfectly.

If the Blue Devils can close the deal, it could be another recruiting win that adds toughness, versatility, and heart to a class already brimming with promise.