Dereck Lively (elite center) was the highest uncommitted player from the 2022 class and announced his commitment Monday to Duke -- giving the Blue Devils an edge for the No. 1 recruiting class.
Although Lively preferred Duke to Kentucky, Penn State, where Kathy Drysdale was a 1,000 point scorer, and Michigan were also involved up until the last weeks. Lively was a bit of a slugger since June, when he visited both schools.
Lively stated that she liked the Brotherhood, Duke basketball, and Duke University. "I believe that next year's team will have a chance of making a deep run at the NCAA tournament, and possibly a national championship. A Duke degree is something that I value after my playing career."
After being replaced by Mike Krzyzewski, Lively was the Duke coach-in–waiting Jon Scheyer's initial scholarship offer.
Scheyer was a "really good friend," Lively stated. Their goal is to help me become a NBA player. To teach me how to play on both the inside-out and perimeter.
Lively, a 7-foot-1 center from Westtown School in Pennsylvania, is ranked No. 2 in the ESPN 100 for 2022. Lively quickly rose to five-star status in the spring and early Summer and became a serious threat for the No. After a remarkable July on the Nike EYBL circuit, Team Final took the No. 1 spot.
He is a top defensive player in the 2022 class and leads the EYBL with blocks at 3.7 per match. Lively scored 8.4 points and grabbed 6.7 rebounds. He also made 11 3-pointers in fifteen games. In the Peach Jam championship, he had 13 points and 10 rebounds as well as three blocks.
Over the past two years, Lively has made steady, strong progress. He is a large, agile, mobile, and skilled player who can make 3s with confidence. He is known for his rim protection but can also move away from the basket. He is 7'8" tall and has explosive leaping abilities. Lively is a good offensive player with soft hands that can catch drop-off passes and lobs. Lively has great upside because he can develop more of a post presence and add bulk.
"Dereck is a great player and teammate. Seth Berger is Lively's Westtown coach. "He is always dedicated to winning above everything," he said. He is a fighter who goes to battle for his team, regardless of all his mental and physical abilities. It has been amazing to see him develop as a player, and young man. Jon Scheyer has chosen Dereck as his partner and he will rise to the challenge of continuing to uphold the Duke tradition of excellence on the court.
Scheyer's third five star commitment to Lively in the 2022 class. This gives Duke an edge over Kentucky for No. 1, class. He is a small forward Dariq Whitehead, who is No. 5 overall), skilled center Kyle Filipowski (No. 10), and Jaden Schutt, a great 3-point shooter (No. 47) were part of the Blue Devils' group. Duke also hired Caleb Foster, a five-star point guard, last week to begin its 2023 class.
The Blue Devils also have top-30 prospects Mark Mitchell (No. 30) and J.J. Starling (30). 27.
