Dereck Lively, No. 2 men’s basketball prospect in 2022 class, commits to Duke Blue Devils

6:16 PM ET

• Jeff Borzello

  NearESPN Personnel Writer

  • Basketball recruiting insider.
  • Joined ESPN in 2014.
  • Graduate of University of Delaware.
• Read moreDiede de Groot and Dylan Alcott Did What Novak Djokovic Could Not

  Paul Biancardi

  ShutBasketball Recruiting

  • Nationwide Recruiting Director for ESPN.com
  • 18 several years of coaching encounter at Division I degree
  • Previous Horizon League coach of the calendar year at Wright Condition

Elite centre Dereck Lively, the leading uncommitted player in the 2022 class, introduced his commitment to Duke on Monday — supplying the Blue Devils the edge for the No. 1 recruiting course.

Lively selected Duke around Kentucky, whilst Penn Condition — where his mother, Kathy Drysdale, was a 1,000-position scorer — and Michigan also remained associated until eventually the last weeks. The Blue Devils and Wildcats went back again-and-forth for Energetic in excess of the past couple months because he frequented the two universities in June.

“I like the complete thought of the Brotherhood, Duke basketball and Duke College,” Energetic told ESPN. “I believe that up coming year’s workforce has a opportunity to make a deep run in the NCAA event and probably a nationwide championship. Immediately after my enjoying job, a Duke diploma is significant to me.”

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Lively was Duke coach-in-waiting around Jon Scheyer’s initial scholarship supply right after currently being named Mike Krzyzewski’s alternative.

“We made a true excellent link,” Lively reported of Scheyer. “[Their plan is to] aid me create to become an NBA participant. To aid me learn my video game on the perimeter and within-out.”

A 7-foot-1 middle from Westtown School (Pennsylvania), Lively is ranked No. 2 in the ESPN 100 for 2022. Lively rose swiftly for the duration of the spring and early summer months into five-star standing, and then became a authentic menace for the No. 1 place just after an impressive July on the Nike EYBL circuit with Crew Last.

He is a person of the elite defensive players in the 2022 class, top the EYBL in blocks at 3.7 per recreation. Lively added 8.4 factors and 6.7 rebounds, even though also making 11 3-pointers in 15 online games. He experienced 13 details, 10 rebounds and three blocks in the Peach Jam championship sport.

Energetic has made continuous and robust development more than the past two years. He has remarkable agility, mobility and skill for his size, and has started participating in off the bounce and making 3s with self-confidence. His calling card is his rim security, but he can also switch absent from the basket. He has a 7-foot-8 wingspan and explosive leaping potential. Offensively, Energetic has delicate fingers to capture lobs and drop-off passes. He has large upside as he develops extra of a publish existence with additional bulk.

“Dereck is an remarkable participant and teammate. He is usually committed to profitable higher than all,” mentioned Seth Berger, Lively’s coach at Westtown. “Even with all of his physical and psychological items, he is most of all a warrior that goes into battle for his crew. It truly is been remarkable to watch him improve as a participant and a younger man. Dereck has designed a wonderful decision to engage in for Jon Scheyer, who will be up to the problem of continuing the Duke tradition of excellence on and off the courtroom.”

Lively is Scheyer’s 3rd five-star determination in the 2022 course, and gives Duke the edge in excess of Kentucky for the No. 1 class. He joins major-rated tiny ahead Dariq Whitehead (No. 5 over-all), competent middle Kyle Filipowski (No. 10) and excellent 3-stage shooter Jaden Schutt (No. 47) in the Blue Devils’ team. Duke also landed 5-star position guard Caleb Foster final 7 days to start its 2023 class.

Other targets for the Blue Devils in 2022 involve prime-30 prospective customers Mark Mitchell (No. 30) and J.J. Starling (No. 27).