Duke, Scheyer Sign Second Straight Top Class

DURHAM, NC – Duke head men’s basketball coach Jon Scheyer announced the signing of five players to the class of 2023 during the NCAA’s early signing period. The second class fully recruited and signed by Duke’s first-year coach is currently ranked No. 2 overall by both ESPN and 247Sports.

It would mark Scheyer’s second consecutive top-two class after inking the nation’s No. 1 class in 2022 for his first season as the Blue Devils’ head coach. In each of the 10 seasons that Scheyer has been a part of Duke’s staff, the program has signed a top-three class.

“We’re so excited about this 2023 class,” said Scheyer. “We feel there’s incredible versatility in this class, but more importantly they are guys with great character. Each are hard workers that bring special attributes not just on the court, but who they are as people. They’re about winning, and with their size, skill, and athleticism, we’re excited about the possibilities of what we can do with them. Our staff has done a terrific job and I’m thankful to each of them, and the five guys we have signed, for believing in the vision of our program.”

Each of the five is ranked in 247Sports’ top 25, with four in the top 20, led by the No. 5 overall player in forward Mackenzie Mgbako (pronounced “em-BAH-ko”). Three of the signees are ranked as the overall No. 1 player in their respective state – Sean Stewart (Florida), Caleb Foster (California) and TJ Power (Massachusetts).

Each of the members of this class are entering their senior years of high school and are set to enroll at Duke next season.

Caleb Foster – G – 6-5 – Notre Dame HS (Calif.) — Charlotte, N.C.

“Caleb was our first commit in this class and we’re excited to welcome him and his family to Duke,” said Scheyer. “A true point guard that really knows how to play, Caleb is a dual threat that can score in the paint, shoot and create for others. He’s got a toughness to his game. He can defend the ball and is well coached and battle-tested playing at Oak Hill for several years and now at Notre Dame High School.”

Rated by 247Sports with five stars as the No. 13 player nationally, the No. 3 point guard and the No. 1 player from the state of California
Rated by ESPN with five stars as the No. 13 player nationally, the No. 3 point guard and the No. 1 player from the state of California
Transferred from Oak Hill Academy in Virginia to Notre Dame High School in California for his senior season
Played for Team Thad (Tenn.) on the Nike EYBL circuit
Averaged 28.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists a game in the final EYBL session in Kansas City in the summer of 2022
Was a force at the 2022 Nike Peach Jam, averaging 25.2 points, shooting .444 from the three-point line with 4.7 assists a game
Initially committed to Duke on Sept. 16, 2021
Also had offers from Illinois, Stanford and Louisville among others

Mackenzie Mgbako – G/F – 6-8 — 210 – Roselle Catholic – Gladstone, N.J.

“Mackenzie is a big-time addition to the Brotherhood,” said Scheyer. “He’s shown he’s one of the best players in the country with his size and ability to score at every level – shooting the three, creating off the bounce and in the post. I could tell early that he had a special feel for the game, an ability to score and rebound and make his teammates better. We felt from the first time we met him and his family that they belonged at Duke, and we’re excited to get started.”

Rated by 247Sports with five stars as the No. 5 player nationally, the No. 1 power forward and the No. 2 player from the state of New Jersey
Rated by ESPN with five stars as the No. 4 player nationally, the No. 1 power forward and the No. 2 player from the state of New Jersey
Averaged 19.5 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game during his junior season at Gill St. Bernard’s.
Transferred to Roselle Catholic for his upcoming senior season, where his younger brother, Ethan, will enroll for his freshman year.
Named to the NJ.com’s All-State First Team
Earned Skyland Conference Player of the Year honors following his junior year.
Played for the NJ Scholars on the Nike EYBL circuit, where he averaged 16.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in 12 games
Initially committed to Duke on April 8, 2022
Also had offers from Kentucky, Auburn, Connecticut and Memphis among others

Sean Stewart – F – 6-8 – 230 — Montverde Academy (Fla.) – Windermere, Fla.

“Watching Sean play, he’s as good of an athlete as there is in the country,” said Scheyer. “He plays hard, can protect the rim, and plays above the basket on offense. The thing we love is that he keeps getting better and better. He’s made an incredible progression since the first time we saw him, and we know that will continue. He can play multiple positions, defend anybody on the court and has great bloodlines with his dad, Mike, who played in the NBA.”

Rated by 247Sports with five stars as the No. 8 player nationally, the No. 2 power forward and the No. 1 player from the state of Florida
Rated by ESPN with five stars as the No. 7 player nationally, the No. 2 power forward and the No. 1 player from the state of Florida
Joins former Blue Devil RJ Barrett and current forward Dariq Whitehead from powerhouse Montverde Academy
Transferred to Montverde for his senior season after beginning his high school career at Windermere, where he averaged 20.5 points, 13.6 rebounds and shot .521 from the field and totaled 553 points as a junior
Initially committed to Duke on Dec. 23, 2021
Played for the USA U-17 National Team, helping the squad to a gold medal at the 2022 FIBA World Cup in Spain in July
Scored 10 points with 10 rebounds in the FIBA World Cup gold medal game win over Spain, 79-67
Played for the Florida Rebels on the Nike EYBL circuit
Also had offers from Michigan, Georgetown and Ohio State among others
Grew up a Duke fan
His father, Mike, played eight years in the NBA, while his grandfather, Mike, played at Santa Clara where he was the WCC Player of the Year in 1972

Jared McCain – G – 6-2 – 195 – Centennial HS – Corona, Calif.

“Jared’s a winner,” said Scheyer.” He’s won everywhere he’s been, whether it’s at Corona Centennial, in the EYBL and with USA Basketball. He’s a great guard and one of the best shooters in the country. He’s underrated as a passer and a playmaker, but we love his versatility. He can play both ends of the floor and he’s easy to play with. He’ll bring a winning mindset to Duke and can’t wait to coach him every day.”

Rated by 247Sports with five stars as the No. 18 player nationally, the No. 3 combo guard and the No. 3 player from the state of California
Rated by ESPN with five stars as the No. 16 player nationally, the No. 2 shooting guard and the No. 2 player from the state of California
Named the 2021-22 Gatorade California Player of the Year
Averaged 23.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 steal in 33 games as a junior
Helped lead Centennial to a second consecutive California Open Division state title in the 2021-22 season.
Named the MVP of the Open Division in 2022
Also earned first-team Open Division and All-League honors in 2019 and 2021.
Played for Russell Westbrook’s Team Why Not on the Nike EYBL circuit
Part of the gold medal winning USA U18 National Team in Mexico
Initially committed to Duke on March 18, 2022
Also had offers from Gonzaga, Kansas and Houston among others

TJ Power – G/F – 6-8 — 210 – Worchester Academy – Shrewsbury, Mass.

“TJ is one of the premier shooters in the country and he showed that on the EYBL circuit,” said Scheyer. “The thing that we loved though, is that he’s a heck of a competitor and plays with a spirit and motor that’s infectious. He’s also a great passer that makes his teammates better. He and his family believed in our vision for him and he’ll be a great addition with his versatility and winning attitude.”

Rated by 247Sports with five stars as the No. 24 player nationally, the No. 6 power forward and the No. 1 player from the state of Massachusetts
Rated by ESPN with four stars as the No. 39 player nationally, the No. 7 power forward and the No. 1 player from the state of Massachusetts
Averaged 23.6 points and shot 45 percent from three-point in the final EYBL session in Kansas City in the summer of 2022, including a 41-point, 15-point, 5-assist outburst against Houston Hoops
Averaged 13.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.5 steals as a junior at Worchester Academy
Initially committed to Duke on Sept. 7, 2022
Also had offers from North Carolina, Virginia, Iowa and Notre Dame among others
Is also a standout prep baseball player
Duke women’s basketball signee Oluchi Okananwa also attends Worchester Academy.