Dereck Lively, a highly rated point guard in the 2022 class, committed to Duke University.
6:16 p.m. Eastern
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Borzello, Jeff
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ESPN Contributor
- Insider on basketball recruitment.
- In 2014, he joined ESPN.
- University of Delaware graduate.
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Biancardi, Paul
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Basketball Talent Scouting- ESPN.com’s National Recruiting Director
- Coached at the Division I level for 18 years.
- Wright State’s former Horizon League coach of the year
ESPN ContributorDereck Lively, the top uncommitted prospect in the 2022 class, committed to Duke on Monday, giving the Blue Devils the upper hand in the race for the top recruiting class.
Although Penn State and Michigan were in the running until the last weeks, Lively selected Duke over Kentucky. His mother, Kathy Drysdale, was a 1,000-point scorer at Penn State. Since Lively visited both colleges in June, the Blue Devils and Wildcats have gone back and forth for him.
“I enjoy the Brotherhood, Duke basketball, and Duke University as a whole,” Lively told ESPN. “Next year’s squad, in my opinion, has a good chance of making a long run in the NCAA tournament and perhaps winning the national title. A Duke degree is essential to me beyond my playing career.”
After being appointed Mike Krzyzewski’s successor, Duke coach-in-waiting Jon Scheyer’s first scholarship offer was to Lively.
Lively said of Scheyer, “We formed a very nice relationship.” “[Their goal is to] assist me in my development as an NBA player. To assist me in honing my perimeter and inside-out game.”
Lively, a 7-foot-1 center from Westtown School in Pennsylvania, is rated No. 2 in the ESPN 100 for the 2022 season. After an outstanding July on the Nike EYBL tour with Team Final, Lively rapidly climbed to five-star rank in the spring and early summer, and then became a serious contender for the No. 1 position.
He’s one of the best defensive players in the 2022 class, with 3.7 blocks per game topping the EYBL. In 15 games, Lively averaged 8.4 points and 6.7 rebounds while hitting 11 3-pointers. In the Peach Jam title game, he scored 13 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks.
Over the last two years, Lively has made steady and significant development. For his height, he possesses remarkable agility, movement, and talent, and he has started to play off the bounce and make 3-pointers with confidence. His rim protection is his calling card, but he can also switch away from the hoop. He possesses a wingspan of 7’8″ and a powerful jumping ability. Lively has soft hands on offense and can collect lobs and drop-off passes. As he develops more of a post presence with additional weight, he has a lot of potential.
“Dereck is a fantastic teammate and player. Above all, he is dedicated to winning “Seth Berger, Lively’s Westtown coach, agreed. “Despite his physical and cerebral abilities, he is first and foremost a warrior who fights for his squad. Seeing him develop as a player and a young guy has been amazing. Dereck has made an excellent decision by joining Jon Scheyer’s coaching staff, who will be up to the task of maintaining Duke’s legacy of success on and off the court.”
Lively is Scheyer’s third five-star commitment in the 2022 class, giving Duke the upper hand over Kentucky in the race for the top spot. In the Blue Devils’ group, he joins top-ranked small forward Dariq Whitehead (No. 5 overall), talented center Kyle Filipowski (No. 10) and excellent 3-point shooter Jaden Schutt (No. 47). Last Monday, Duke added five-star point guard Caleb Foster to its 2023 class.
Mark Mitchell (No. 30) and J.J. Starling (No. 30) are two more top-30 prospects for the Blue Devils in 2022. (No. 27).
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