Duke basketball strengthened its 2025 recruiting class—already ranked No. 1—by securing a commitment from five-star recruit Shelton Henderson on Saturday. The 6-foot-6, 220-pound small forward from Bellaire, Texas, chose Duke over Texas and Louisville, announcing his decision via YouTube live stream. Henderson credited Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer and associate head coach Jai Lucas, who also attended high school in Bellaire, as key reasons for his choice. “Coach Scheyer believed in me,” Henderson stated, adding his appreciation for Lucas’s local connection and the belief they have in his ability to contribute as a freshman.
Henderson’s journey to Duke included an official visit in late September, followed by attending the program’s Countdown to Craziness event at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Known as a versatile forward who can score both by shooting and driving, Henderson is ranked as the No. 15 player in the country by 247sports.com. He joins three others in Duke’s 2025 class, including five-stars Cameron Boozer, the No. 2 prospect, and his twin brother Cayden Boozer. Both Boozers, sons of former Duke player Carlos Boozer, committed last month. Henderson noted his comfort playing alongside the Boozers, saying, “They make everyone better around them, so I’m excited to team up with them.”
Also part of Duke’s 2025 class is 6-foot-8 power forward Nikolas Khamenia, a four-star from Los Angeles’s Harvard Westlake High School, ranked No. 19. Even before Henderson’s commitment, Duke led 247sports.com’s recruiting rankings, ahead of programs like UConn, Notre Dame, LSU, and Iowa State. With the current season starting against Maine, Duke could see up to three freshmen and two senior transfers depart for the NBA, with guards Tyrese Proctor and Caleb Foster also potential draft candidates. Additionally, Duke remains in contention for another top recruit, five-star Nate Ament, the No. 4 player, who has shown strong interest in the program with two unofficial visits and a recent meeting with Scheyer.
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