By JOSH NEWMAN
BURLINGTON, N.J. – A five-star point guard out of St. Benedict’s Prep, Trevon Duval has a had a big month of July, highlighted by MVP honors at the SC Select Camp and a strong showing at the UAA Finals earlier this month.
Duval’s ascension continued on Wednesday evening here at Burlington City High School when he helped pace his We R1 squad to a 67-66 overtime win over the PSA Cardinals at the Battle of the Borders’ showcase night.
As has been the case all month, Duval played Wednesday in front of a bevy of major college coaches including Maryland head coach Mark Turgeon, Seton Hall’s Kevin Willard, Washington’s Lorenzo Romar, Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim, St. John’s assistant Matt Abdelmassih and Kentucky assistant John Robic.
“I do know that the coaches are out there and watching,” Duval said. “They don’t tell you which coaches are coming, but you know that they’re there. It’s a crazy feeling.”
When asked who is coming at him the hardest right now, Duval, who one coach told SNY recently could be a ‘$100 million player’ down the road in the pros, rattled off a bunch of schools he’d already listed. Among them, he noted Syracuse and Villanova are working hard, but when asked who has been starting to come on recently, he noted Duke and Kentucky.
St. Benedict’s coach Mark Taylor told SNY.tv Duke “loves” Duval and said he spoke with associate head coach Jeff Capel for an hour about him.
“They told me if he does well academically it is a no-brainer [to land an offer],” Taylor said.
The Wildcats have yet to offer a 2017 point guard, but have offered 2016 point guards Dennis Smith Jr., and Kobi Simmons.
Duval’s recruitment is in its infancy. The more immediate concern will be his junior season at St. Benedict’s where head coach Mark Taylor has stated Duval could be among the best players he has ever coached. Keep in mind Taylor has coached the likes of Jay Williams, Tyler Ennis and Isaiah Briscoe.
“Coach Taylor has coached some great players like Jay Williams and Isaiah Briscoe,” Duval said, “so for him to say that about me, that’s a really good feeling.”
