Tireless Duke Basketball Staff Pops By for Undecided Recruit

In the ever-competitive world of college basketball recruiting, timing, presence, and persistence are everything. And no program understands that better than Duke.

Earlier this week, the Blue Devils coaching staff once again showed why they’re considered among the hardest-working—and most strategic—recruiters in the country. While most programs were content sending texts or scheduling Zoom calls, Duke assistant Jai Lucas and head coach Jon Scheyer made a surprise in-person visit to one of the most talked-about names in the 2025 recruiting class: Tariq White, a 6’8” forward out of Houston, Texas.

The visit, unannounced to the public and only leaked afterward through recruiting insiders, was more than just a drop-in. It was a message, loud and clear: Duke wants White—and they’re not going anywhere until he makes a decision.

If you haven’t heard the name yet, it’s time to get familiar. Tariq White is a rising senior at North Forest High School, a 5-star forward currently ranked No. 9 nationally by Rivals and No. 2 among power forwards. He’s long, athletic, and fluid with the ball in his hands, with scouts comparing him to a young Jayson Tatum—ironically, another product of Duke.

White averaged 21.5 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks as a junior, leading his team to the 5A state semifinals and earning Gatorade Player of the Year honors in Texas. His game is versatile: he can post up, stretch the floor, and initiate offense as a secondary ball handler. Defensively, he’s a rim protector with switchability, the kind of modern forward NBA teams love.

White’s recruitment has been a whirlwind. He holds over 20 offers, including from Kansas, Kentucky, Baylor, Michigan, Texas, and Arkansas. But one program has been relentless in their pursuit—and that’s Duke.

According to multiple sources close to the situation, Coach Jon Scheyer and assistant Jai Lucas flew to Houston on Wednesday evening, arriving quietly before attending White’s early-morning team workout on Thursday.

“They didn’t want the cameras. Didn’t even alert the local media,” one AAU coach said. “They just showed up—no hype, just work.”

It was the kind of move that makes an impression. White was reportedly caught off guard, but thrilled.

“To see Coach Scheyer walk into our gym at 7 a.m.—it meant everything,” White told 247Sports. “They’re showing me that I’m a priority, not just a number on a list.”

The Blue Devils staff spent close to 90 minutes at the workout, observing Tariq, chatting with his coaches, and later meeting briefly with his family. This wasn’t just a courtesy call—it was another signal of serious intent.

Since taking over the program from Coach K, Jon Scheyer has redefined Duke’s recruiting identity—retaining its prestige but dialing up the personal touch. Scheyer and his staff are everywhere: practices, tournaments, classrooms, living rooms. And it’s working.

They landed the No. 1 class in 2024, featuring Cooper Flagg, Khaman Maluach, and Isaiah Elohim. And they’ve already secured two top-20 pledges in 2025, with guard Jaylen Harrell and center Mason Johnson on board.

But they’re not done.

“Tariq White is one of the final big pieces they’re going after,” said recruiting analyst Jerry Meyer. “He’s the ideal modern stretch-four. Duke’s system is tailor-made for his skill set.”

There’s no question that White would be a seamless fit in Durham. With Flagg likely gone to the NBA after one season, and Kyle Filipowski already out the door, the Blue Devils are building around a new frontcourt core.

White would arrive with a clear opportunity to start immediately—or at the very least, play heavy minutes as a freshman. His ability to face up, hit the three, and guard multiple positions would allow Scheyer to continue running his favored five-out spacing sets, while giving the defense a reliable anchor inside.

“It’s not just that he’d fit,” said ESPN’s Paul Biancardi. “He could thrive.”

Duke isn’t alone in the hunt.

• Texas is pushing hard, emphasizing proximity and playing time. White has family in Austin and knows the staff well.
• Arkansas, under new coach John Calipari, has reengaged in a big way, trying to sway White with the promise of NBA prep and national spotlight.
• Baylor, always strong in Texas, offers a player-centric program and proven success developing long forwards into pros.
• Kansas and Michigan are both trying to get official visits this summer.

But Duke’s pitch, by all accounts, has struck the most emotional chord.

“They’ve built a relationship over time,” White’s AAU coach said. “It’s not just basketball. They talk about life, education, how to handle pressure. That goes a long way with him and his family.”

One of the most powerful parts of the Duke visit was the off-court connection.

After the early-morning workout, the staff was invited to breakfast with White’s parents at a quiet local diner—a rare move for a major coaching duo during an unofficial trip.

“They didn’t come in like rock stars,” said a source close to the family. “They came in as people who genuinely care about Tariq’s future.”

Coach Scheyer reportedly talked about his own journey, the weight of succeeding Coach K, and the importance of building a team that functions like a family. Assistant Jai Lucas, who has strong Texas ties, connected deeply with White’s father.

“They weren’t selling Duke,” White’s mom said. “They were selling growth, accountability, and belief. That sticks with a parent.”

White hasn’t set a commitment date, but sources expect a fall decision, likely before the early signing period in November. He’s currently finalizing his list of official visits.

• Duke is expected to host him again in August, likely during their “Countdown to Craziness” preseason festivities.
• Texas, Baylor, and Arkansas are also in line for officials.
• A visit to Kansas remains possible, but not guaranteed.

Recruiting insiders say the Blue Devils are in pole position—but anything can happen in the NIL era, and programs are ready to pull out all the stops.

Still, Scheyer’s visit may have done more than just keep Duke in the lead. It may have sealed something deeper: trust.

It’s easy to forget that behind the stars and rankings, these are 17-year-old kids making life-altering decisions. And the visit from Duke this week showed that some programs still value showing up in person, shaking hands, and looking people in the eye.

“I’ve got a lot of great schools recruiting me,” White said. “But Duke made me feel seen in a different way. It wasn’t about pressure. It was about partnership.”

As one recruiting analyst put it, “That visit wasn’t just about Tariq. It was a masterclass in how to build a relationship.”

Tariq White’s recruitment is far from over. But Duke, once again, has done what it does best: lead with consistency, humility, and an unwavering belief in their program’s culture.

They’re not banking solely on their brand name or banners. They’re flying out, waking up early, and being present. That matters.

In a world where high-level recruiting is more cutthroat and NIL-influenced than ever, Duke is showing that real connections still count.

White might not be ready to commit just yet—but if he does end up in Durham, this visit will be remembered as the turning point. A quiet gym in Houston. A breakfast table with parents. A head coach showing he’s willing to fly across the country just to say, “We believe in you.”

And in the world of recruiting, that might just be enough.