Duke basketball secured a major win on the recruiting trail Friday as Cameron Williams, a top-five national prospect in the 2026 class, announced his commitment to the Blue Devils. The 6-foot-11 forward from Saint Mary’s High School in Phoenix instantly becomes the headliner of Duke’s increasingly impressive 2026 class and continues head coach Jon Scheyer’s streak of landing elite, program-defining talent.
Williams—considered one of the most complete and versatile frontcourt players in the country—chose Duke over Arizona and Texas after a months-long recruitment. His decision came shortly after an official visit to Durham during the school’s famed Countdown to Craziness, an event that has long served as one of Duke’s most impactful recruiting showcases. For Williams, the visit not only highlighted the program’s basketball culture but also reaffirmed the authenticity of Duke’s staff, particularly Scheyer.
“I felt Coach Scheyer was cool, normal, and authentic in what he said and did,” Williams said, recalling the time he spent observing the team’s practice sessions and interacting with the staff. He noted that Scheyer’s intensity, competitiveness, and strong rapport with his players were unmistakable. Those qualities resonated deeply not only with Williams but with his family, who left Durham believing that the Blue Devils had built an environment centered on trust, development, and long-term success.
The atmosphere at Duke’s basketball showcase sealed the feeling. Williams described the energy in Cameron Indoor Stadium as unlike anything he had experienced before. “The energy in that place was crazy, and it truly shows how much support the basketball team has from everyone,” he said. For a prospect accustomed to big stages on the national circuit, the environment was still overwhelming—in the best way. That emotional spark was a major factor in solidifying Duke as the right fit.
Williams has been a standout on the Adidas 3SSB circuit, competing with the highly regarded Compton Magic program. During the most recent season, he averaged 15.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game, showcasing both his interior presence and his perimeter versatility. His ability to stretch the floor has set him apart from most frontcourt players his size, as he knocked down 37% of his three-point attempts while also serving as a rim-protecting anchor on defense.
Recruiting analysts have long praised Williams for his rare combination of length, mobility, and skill. Some scouting comparisons link him to NBA standout Evan Mobley, citing similarities in fluidity and defensive instincts. Others see shades of a young Jaden McDaniels, particularly in his ability to switch across multiple positions and hold his own on the perimeter. Williams’ defensive versatility—protecting the rim one possession and defending a guard on a switch the next—has made him one of the most valuable prospects in his class.
Offensively, his comfort in Duke’s five-out system was a meaningful factor in his decision. With the Blue Devils increasingly relying on floor spacing and fluid ball movement, Williams envisions himself operating as a hybrid forward who can initiate plays, shoot from deep, and exploit mismatches inside. “Duke has everything I need to develop. They laid out a detailed plan on how I would fit,” he said. That plan included utilizing his perimeter shooting, allowing him to serve as both a pick-and-pop threat and a facilitator in open space.
Williams becomes the third player to join Duke’s 2026 recruiting class, which already included four-star center Maxime Meyer and breakout wing Bryson Howard, ranked No. 20 nationally. Even before Williams’ commitment, Duke’s class was trending upward, but his addition propelled the Blue Devils from No. 21 into the top 10 of the national recruiting rankings. With Scheyer securing a top-three prospect for the third consecutive cycle, the program has reinforced its status as one of the premier recruiting forces in college basketball.
And Duke may not be done yet. The coaching staff recently hosted Deron Rippey Jr., the No. 18 prospect in the 2026 class, and continues to pursue Jordan Smith, the No. 2 player nationally and one of the top uncommitted stars remaining. With new momentum following Williams’ announcement, Duke is positioning itself to challenge for the No. 1 overall recruiting class in 2026—something that would send yet another message about Scheyer’s ability to maintain Duke’s powerhouse reputation on the national stage.
For now, Williams’ commitment stands as the centerpiece of Duke’s future frontcourt. His combination of size, athleticism, and skill makes him a potential program-altering player, and his arrival ensures that the Blue Devils’ long-term vision remains bright.
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