In the ongoing war for basketball supremacy between Duke and North Carolina, every recruit becomes a potential tipping point. The rivalry, forged in tobacco road fire and fanned by decades of fierce competition, has now spilled beyond the court once again. This time, the spotlight shines on Isiah Harwell—a five-star shooting guard out of Wasatch Academy in Utah—who has quickly become one of the hottest targets in the 2025 recruiting class.
What adds fuel to the fire is that Harwell is a top priority for North Carolina, yet Duke head coach Jon Scheyer has recently inserted himself into the race, setting the stage for a recruiting battle that could shape the next era of college basketball dominance in the ACC.
The Player: Who Is Isiah Harwell?
Isiah Harwell is not just another highly ranked high school prospect—he’s a difference-maker. At 6-foot-6 and 190 pounds, Harwell has the size, versatility, and two-way potential that today’s game demands. Ranked among the top five recruits in the 2025 class by multiple scouting services, he brings a blend of athleticism, shooting prowess, and defensive tenacity rarely seen at the prep level.
At Wasatch Academy, Harwell has drawn national attention for his ability to take over games. Scouts praise his elite shot creation, quick release from three-point range, and his strong court vision. What stands out most, however, is his poise—an uncommon trait for someone so young. Whether he’s slicing through defenders, rising up in transition, or calmly draining a fadeaway jumper, Harwell exudes a calm intensity that reminds many of NBA stars like Devin Booker or Bradley Beal.
College coaches see Harwell as a player who could not only shine in the NCAA but transition quickly to the professional level. That’s why his recruitment has become one of the most tightly contested storylines of the 2025 cycle.
UNC’s Head Start—and the Blue Blood Tug-of-War
North Carolina was one of the first major programs to get seriously involved with Harwell. Head coach Hubert Davis hosted Harwell on an unofficial visit earlier this year and extended a scholarship offer soon after. From that moment, UNC made it clear that Harwell was a top priority.
The Tar Heels have spent considerable energy building a relationship with the young star, emphasizing their track record of developing NBA-ready guards and their historic guard lineage that includes names like Michael Jordan, Vince Carter, Raymond Felton, and more recently, Coby White and Cole Anthony. For Harwell, the idea of following in that tradition is understandably enticing.
But Duke isn’t going to let their biggest rival win this easily. Though the Blue Devils have yet to officially offer, the buzz surrounding Jon Scheyer and his staff’s interest has grown rapidly over the last several weeks. Sources close to the situation indicate that Scheyer has been in frequent communication with Harwell’s camp and that a formal offer is likely imminent.
Duke is known for making strategic, well-timed offers, often after thorough in-house evaluation and direct dialogue with prospects. And in Harwell’s case, they’re putting on the full-court press.
Scheyer’s Recruiting Philosophy: Quality Over Quantity
Jon Scheyer’s blueprint as a recruiter has been clear since the day he took over for Mike Krzyzewski—land elite talent that fits a modern system of positionless basketball, spacing, and switchable defense. In Harwell, he sees a player who could thrive in a scheme built around fluid motion, intelligent playmaking, and defensive pressure.
Scheyer’s recent classes have been full of dynamic players—Cooper Flagg, Isaiah Evans, and Darren Harris, just to name a few. Each of those players has shown the kind of maturity and polish Scheyer covets. Harwell checks all those same boxes. In fact, many within the Duke community believe he would be the crown jewel of the 2025 class if he commits.
There’s also a personal angle: Scheyer, a former high-scoring guard himself, sees a bit of his own game in Harwell—except Harwell is even more athletic and has a better vertical. That connection has reportedly helped foster mutual respect, even if the recruitment is still early.
Harwell Speaks on the Process
While Harwell hasn’t tipped his hand, he’s acknowledged the attention from Duke and says he’s intrigued by their program.
In a recent interview, Harwell noted: “Coach Scheyer has been reaching out. I’ve been watching what they’re doing, and it’s definitely something I’m paying attention to. I like how Duke develops guards. That’s important to me. It’s not just about where I’ll shine now—it’s about being ready for the next level.”
When asked about North Carolina, he was equally complimentary: “They were one of the first schools to believe in me. The visit to Chapel Hill was great. The fans, the campus—it’s special. And Coach Davis has been really honest with me about how I’d fit into their system.”
Clearly, Harwell is keeping his options open. But his measured comments also underscore a level of maturity that will make his ultimate decision all the more impactful.
The Recruiting Chess Match
What makes this recruitment more than just a battle over a single player is the symbolic weight it carries.
For Duke, snatching Harwell from under UNC’s nose would be a major statement. It would signal that the Blue Devils not only still dominate the recruiting trail, but that Scheyer has maintained—and perhaps even sharpened—the program’s edge.
For UNC, losing Harwell to their biggest rival would be a gut punch. Hubert Davis has made recruiting elite guards a focal point of his rebuild, and Harwell fits perfectly into that vision.
And for Harwell? Choosing one program over the other would etch his name into the lore of the rivalry before he ever plays a college game.
National Competition Brewing
While Duke and UNC are at the forefront, other national powerhouses haven’t backed off.
Gonzaga, Kentucky, Baylor, and even Arizona have reportedly been keeping tabs on Harwell’s recruitment. Each school offers a unique pitch: Gonzaga’s player development pipeline, Kentucky’s NBA track record, Baylor’s guard-friendly system, and Arizona’s recent success in the Pac-12 and Big 12 transitions.
Still, sources close to Harwell believe the battle may ultimately come down to two programs: Duke and UNC. The visibility, the tradition, and the chance to be a defining figure in college basketball’s greatest rivalry—it’s hard for any young star to ignore.
What Harwell Would Mean for Duke
If Jon Scheyer does land Isiah Harwell, it would be a thunderous win for the program—both on the court and in the optics war.
Harwell could immediately slot in as a starting combo guard, capable of initiating offense or playing off the ball. He’d give the Blue Devils another layer of perimeter scoring, with an ability to stretch the floor, finish at the rim, and defend at a high level. Pair him with a frontcourt like Khamenia or Boozer, and Duke could have one of the most balanced lineups in the country.
Moreover, the symbolic value of stealing UNC’s top guard target would resonate with recruits across the nation. It would reaffirm Duke’s place as the premier destination for elite high school talent—even with Coach K gone.
Final Thought: The Battle Is Just Beginning
We’re still months away from any decision by Isiah Harwell, but one thing is clear: this is not just another recruiting story. This is Duke vs. North Carolina in its purest modern form—a high-stakes battle for a player who could tip the scales in either direction.
Harwell is more than just a recruit. He represents the future of either Duke or UNC basketball. His choice will reverberate through Cameron Indoor and the Dean Dome, ignite social media battles, and likely influence who owns the ACC over the next five years.
Jon Scheyer’s pursuit of Harwell signals that Duke isn’t playing defense on the trail—they’re attacking. And when Duke and UNC both go after the same player, fans know to buckle up. Because in this rivalry, even recruiting can feel like March Madness.