Jon Scheyer and his Duke Blue Devils are taking a different approach to the NCAA Transfer Portal. Unlike many programs that are actively scouting talent, setting the market, and shaping their rosters for next season, Duke has opted to stay focused on the immediate task at hand.
With Scheyer now in his third year as head coach, his priority remains on securing two more victories to close out the season on a high note. Rather than getting caught up in the frenzy of transfer portal negotiations, he and his coaching staff are dedicating their energy to achieving their ultimate goal.
Meanwhile, Auburn is making waves both on the court and in recruiting. The Tigers are heading to the Final Four for just the second time in program history under Bruce Pearl. The last time Auburn reached this stage was in the 2018-2019 season, when they fell to the eventual champions, the Virginia Cavaliers. As they prepare for a crucial showdown against the Florida Gators, Auburn also finds itself in the midst of a major recruiting battle.
On3’s Joe Tipton recently reported that Auburn is one of four top contenders for UAB Blazers power forward Yaxel Lendeborg, a highly sought-after transfer. The Tigers are competing with Alabama, Kentucky, and Michigan for Lendeborg, who is ranked as the top overall player and power forward in the On3 Transfer Portal Industry Rankings.
Lendeborg had a standout season with UAB, averaging 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. His impressive performance helped UAB reach the AAC Tournament final, though they fell short of an NCAA Tournament bid after losing to Memphis 84-72.
However, Auburn faces a recruiting challenge due to the NCAA’s dead period from April 3 to April 10, which prevents in-person visits. Lendeborg has yet to schedule any official visits, leaving the recruitment battle wide open.
In the meantime, Auburn is preparing for a high-stakes rematch against Florida. The Gators previously defeated them 90-81 in the regular season, but this game carries much higher stakes. Auburn secured its spot in the Final Four after a gritty 70-64 victory over Michigan State. However, the win came with a scare as star forward Johni Broome suffered an elbow injury but managed to return in the second half.
As the Tigers gear up for their biggest game of the season, they remain focused on the present while keeping an eye on the potential game-changing addition of Lendeborg.
Leave a Reply