“Surging Prospect Secures Spot on Duke Basketball Wishlist”:
Surging Prospect Secures Spot on Duke Basketball Wishlist
By [Your Name]
As the 2025 recruiting cycle heats up, one name is beginning to surge into national prominence and now finds himself squarely in the crosshairs of one of the most prestigious programs in college basketball: the Duke Blue Devils. The surging prospect in question? Four-star combo guard Elijah “E.J.” Randolph, a 6-foot-5, 190-pound playmaker out of St. Louis, Missouri. Known for his relentless motor, explosive athleticism, and advanced feel for the game, Randolph has become one of the most talked-about late risers in the country—and Duke has taken notice.
Over the past two months, Randolph’s stock has soared, thanks to his standout performances on the Nike EYBL circuit and an eye-opening showing at the Pangos All-American Camp. Scouts from nearly every top-25 program have packed gyms to see the rising senior, but none have been more deliberate in their evaluation than Duke, who recently added him to their 2025 wishlist and sent head coach Jon Scheyer and assistant Jai Lucas to watch him in person.Just a year ago, E.J. Randolph wasn’t even on the radar of high-major programs. Playing for an under-recruited high school team in Missouri and battling injuries as a sophomore, his exposure was limited. However, since transferring to Cardinal Ritter College Prep and joining the Brad Beal Elite AAU program, everything has changed.
Randolph’s game has blossomed under the spotlight, and the numbers tell the story. Through 12 EYBL games this spring, he’s averaged 19.8 points, 6.3 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game, while shooting 47% from the field and 39% from beyond the arc. His ability to run the offense or slide off-ball and create scoring opportunities has made him an intriguing dual-threat guard—something the Duke staff values highly in their backcourt system.
According to several sources close to the program, Randolph’s name surfaced during an internal meeting of Duke’s recruiting staff following the high school season. With the Blue Devils likely to lose both Tyrese Proctor and Caleb Foster to the NBA Draft or professional opportunities after the 2024–25 campaign, Duke will have a pressing need to reload in the backcourt.
Enter Randolph.
His skill set mirrors that of several recent Duke guards: tough, creative, and instinctive. His ability to push the tempo, make the right read in pick-and-roll sets, and shoot off the dribble makes him a seamless fit in Jon Scheyer’s offense.
“Elijah has this natural feel—he sees plays before they happen,” said Brad Beal Elite head coach Victor Williams. “He’s just scratching the surface, and Duke knows that. He reminds me a lot of a young Jrue Holiday, the way he defends and controls
Duke isn’t alone in its pursuit of Randolph. Kansas, Arkansas, Baylor, and Ohio State have all ramped up their interest. However, insiders believe Duke’s reputation, early contact, and developmental pitch could give them the inside track if an official offer is extended in the coming weeks.
What makes Duke’s interest particularly notable is the fact that Randolph was not among the early blue-chip targets in the class. While Duke has already offered several five-star prospects like Darrius Acuff Jr., Meleek Thomas, and Koa Peat, Randolph’s sudden emergence presents the Blue Devils with an opportunity to snag a high-upside guard who’s ascending at the perfect time.
“He’s the kind of player that programs love to discover late,” said 247Sports analyst Travis Branham. “There’s a hunger in his game. And Duke sees the potential for a major leap once he’s in a college strength and development program.”
Randolph is expected to visit Duke’s campus unofficially in mid-June, with the potential for an official visit during the fall should an offer materialize. The Blue Devils’ interest became more evident when Coach Jon Scheyer personally attended his EYBL game in Louisville last weekend. According to those present, Scheyer was courtside for the entire game and was seen speaking with Randolph’s parents afterward.
“I saw Coach Scheyer sitting there, and my heart jumped a little,” Randolph said in a postgame interview. “I grew up watching Duke. I watched Jayson Tatum, Kyrie Irving—those were my guys. Just knowing they’re watching now is crazy.”
Sources say Duke is evaluating how Randolph fits alongside other guards on their board, and the next few weeks could determine whether an offer is extended. If that happens, Duke may become the leader in his recruitment.
Offense:
Randolph thrives in transition and has a shifty handle that allows him to create separation off the dribble. He’s a three-level scorer, capable of finishing through contact, pulling up in the midrange, and knocking down threes off catch-and-shoot or off the bounce. His 1.8-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio in EYBL play shows steady growth in decision-making, and he’s comfortable running halfcourt sets or initiating fast breaks.
Defense:
Defensively, Randolph is active and physical. With a 6’9” wingspan, he can guard multiple positions and disrupt passing lanes. His footwork is polished for a high school player, and he takes pride in locking down his matchup.
Intangibles:
Randolph’s work ethic is often cited by coaches. He’s described as “a gym rat” who watches film religiously and seeks feedback constantly. Off the court, he maintains a 3.6 GPA and is viewed as a future leader in the locker room.
With multiple five-stars on Duke’s radar, some may question how Randolph fits in. But history has shown that Duke thrives with a mix of elite talent and development players who grow into their roles—think Jordan Goldwire, Jeremy Roach, or more recently, Jared McCain.
If Scheyer decides to pivot slightly from the one-and-done model and invest in a high-upside, multi-year contributor, Randolph fits the mold perfectly.
Duke already has one commitment in the 2025 class—5-star forward Cooper Stephens—and adding a guard like Randolph could lay the foundation for a balanced class built on athleticism, defensive intensity, and high basketball IQ.
Elijah Randolph may not have entered the spring as a household name, but his breakout performances and rapid development have turned him into a serious target for one of college basketball’s blue bloods. Duke’s presence in his recruitment is not only a validation of Randolph’s talent but also a reflection of how fluid recruiting can be.
Should the Blue Devils make a formal offer, expect the trajectory of Randolph’s recruitment to skyrocket even further.
In a year loaded with elite talent, Duke might have just found one of its hidden gems.
- Elijah Randolph is a fast-rising 4-star combo guard out of Missouri, now on Duke’s radar.
- Coach Jon Scheyer and his staff are heavily evaluating Randolph for a potential 2025 offer.
- Randolph is averaging nearly 20 points per game on the Nike EYBL circuit and drawing comparisons to Jrue Holiday.
- A visit to Duke is scheduled for June, with a formal offer potentially coming soon.
- Adding Randolph would balance Duke’s 2025 class and provide a multi-year backcourt leader.
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