Duke, on the heels of its loaded 2018 recruiting class, has earned the commitment of Vernon Carey, the No. 2 player in the 247Sports' Composite rankings for the class of 2019.
Carey, a 6-10 center from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., had narrowed down his final three choices to Duke, Michigan State, and North Carolina, before opting to go with Mike Krzyzewski and the Blue Devils. Surrounded by family, including his father Vernon Carey Sr., a former NFL offensive lineman, Carey made the announcement at his high school, NSU University School on Thursday.
He averaged 26 points and 10.4 rebounds per game in his junior season and earned MaxPreps National Junior of the Year.
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Duke currently sits at No. 3 in the AP Top 25 behind a star-studded freshmen class that includes RJ Barrett, Cam Reddish, and Zion Williamson ( the Nos. 1, 2, and 5 prospects, respectively, in the 247Sports' 2018 rankings). The Blue Devils are no stranger to getting top recruits, landing at least one top five high school player each year since 2013.
Carey joins fellow five-star recruit Wendell Moore and four-star Boogie Ellis as members of Duke's 2019 recruiting class. The Blue Devils are also pursuing top-10 prospects Cole Anthony and Isaiah Stewart.