Duke has won a major recruiting battle with North Carolina. Five-star small forward Asa Montgomery, ranked No. 3 nationally in the 2027 class by Rivals, has committed to the Blue Devils, he told Rivals’ Joe Tipton. The 6-foot-7 prospect visited both Duke and UNC during his recruitment, along with Auburn, LSU, Georgia Tech and UConn.
Montgomery’s decision gives Jon Scheyer another coveted wing for Duke’s future and adds to a recruiting class that already includes four-star forward Kager Knueppel and Australian point guard Luke Paul. Montgomery is from Hillgrove High School in Georgia.
A recruiting win with a familiar rival in the mix
UNC’s presence on Montgomery’s visit list adds some extra edge to the news for Duke fans. The Tar Heels were among the programs he saw before making his decision, but the Blue Devils came away with his commitment.
NEWS: 5⭐️ Asa Montgomery has committed to Duke, he told @Rivals. The 6-foot-7 small forward is the No. 3 overall recruit in the 2027 class, per Rivals. He also visited North Carolina, LSU, and others. https://t.co/WCkuPhqj1H https://t.co/gOWNufN6sO
— Joe Tipton (@JoeTipton) October 28, 2026
The Rivals ranking places Montgomery third overall in the 2027 class. Rankings differ across recruiting services: 247Sports’ composite lists him No. 8 nationally, while CBS Sports reported that 247Sports’ own ranking had him No. 14. The consistent takeaway is that Duke landed a player widely regarded as one of the country’s top prospects.
MORE: A 7-foot-2 freshman hit four threes and helped end a Kansas streak dating to 1993
Montgomery brings scoring and versatility
Montgomery’s summer production helps explain the attention surrounding his recruitment. On the Nike EYBL circuit, he led the league in scoring at 27.9 points per game, while adding 10.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.9 blocks per game for AOT, according to Rivals. He also helped the United States win gold at the FIBA U17 World Cup.
That combination of size, scoring and activity on the boards gives Duke a versatile prospect to build around. Rivals’ scouting report highlighted his ability to handle the ball, create advantages, shoot from beyond the arc and finish above the rim. Those are promising traits for a wing who can contribute in several areas, though his college role will depend on how his game develops before he arrives in Durham.
For now, Duke has secured a top-ranked recruit after competing with a list of high-profile programs that included its fiercest rival. Montgomery’s commitment is the third for the Blue Devils in the 2027 class, and another sign of the recruiting momentum Scheyer is building.
