The Duke Blue Devils have officially entered the race for one of high school basketball’s brightest young stars. Earlier this week, head coach Jon Scheyer and his staff paid a visit to Christian Collins, a dominant 6-foot-8 power forward from St. John Bosco High School in California.
The result?
An official scholarship offer a late, but meaningful move in what’s quickly becoming one of the most competitive recruitments in the country.
Collins, currently ranked No. 3 overall in the 247Sports Class of 2026 rankings, confirmed Duke’s offer on Tuesday via his X account. That makes the Blue Devils the latest and possibly most intriguing blueblood to enter the conversation.
Durham Comes Calling
Collins isn’t just another talented big man, he’s a versatile interior force with a modern skill set. In his junior season, he averaged 13.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and just under a block per game. He’s fluid, physical, and plays with the kind of motor that makes coaches take notice.
He’s also the top-ranked power forward in the 2026 class and one of three California prospects in the top five, alongside teammate Brandon McCoy, who holds the No. 2 overall spot. That kind of pedigree rarely comes without attention, and Collins has had plenty. Programs like Kansas, Kentucky, Arizona, Alabama, and USC have already extended offers.
But Duke’s late entrance shouldn’t be mistaken for hesitation. If anything, it signals precision. Scheyer and his staff saw Collins up close and quickly decided he fits the future vision in Durham.A Crowded Field, But a Familiar Game
Duke’s offer arrives in a recruitment that’s already humming with activity. More than a dozen top-tier programs have expressed interest in Collins, and for good reason. His upside is enormous, and in an era where skilled forwards are vital to championship runs, Collins looks like the kind of player who can change a team’s ceiling.
Despite joining the race later than some, Duke brings weight to the table. The Blue Devils have consistently landed elite talent even in the shifting waters of NIL and the transfer portal. Their 2025 class is once again among the nation’s best, and Collins could be the anchor of another loaded group in 2026.A New Chapter Begins
With no commitments yet for the 2026 cycle, Duke’s offer to Collins may mark the beginning of their next great recruiting push. And while the competition is fierce, few schools can match the combination of tradition, development, and national spotlight that Duke offers.
Collins’ decision may still be months away, but there’s no denying that the Blue Devils are officially in the hunt.
