Duke Basketball’s Pursuit of Shelton Henderson: A Firsthand Account

As a lifelong basketball enthusiast, I’ve had the privilege of following the Duke Blue Devils’ recruitment process for years. And recently, I had the opportunity to delve deeper into their pursuit of Shelton Henderson, a 6-foot-6, 220-pound four-star forward from Bellaire High School in Texas.

The Duke Blue Devils are determined to land top recruit Shelton Henderson

Henderson, who ranks No. 25 overall on the 247Sports 2025 Composite, has been on the radar of top college basketball programs for some time now. And after receiving an offer from Duke head coach Jon Scheyer, it was clear that the Blue Devils were serious about landing this talented young player.

I recently spoke with Henderson, who shared his thoughts on the recruitment process and what stands out about the Duke program. “It’s been going really good lately,” he noted. “I really like the people that they send to the league and how they can build me, see me as a player and what I can bring to that team. So just building that relationship on and on until it’s time to come down to a decision is really good.”

“It’s been going really good lately. I really like the people that they send to the league and how they can build me, see me as a player and what I can bring to that team.”

— Shelton Henderson

What struck me about Henderson’s comments was his emphasis on the people involved in the Duke program. It’s clear that he’s looking for a program that will not only develop his skills on the court but also provide a supportive environment that will help him grow as a person.

NCAA basketball programs are in hot pursuit of top recruits like Shelton Henderson

As I dug deeper into Henderson’s recruitment, I discovered that he’s not just a talented player; he’s also a determined individual who’s keenly aware of what he wants from a college program. And with Duke’s strong track record of producing NBA-ready players, it’s no wonder he’s seriously considering the Blue Devils.

Despite initially scheduling an official visit to Durham for the last weekend of September, Henderson recently rescheduled for the first weekend of October. This change in plans hasn’t seemed to deter the Duke staff, who are reportedly still very much in the running for his services.

College basketball is a high-stakes world, where top recruits like Shelton Henderson are highly coveted

As I reflect on my experience following the Duke basketball recruitment process, I’m struck by the intensity and competitiveness of the college basketball landscape. It’s clear that top programs like Duke are willing to go the extra mile to land the best talent, and it will be fascinating to see how Henderson’s story unfolds in the coming weeks and months.

The Duke University campus, where Shelton Henderson may soon find himself

In the end, one thing is certain: Shelton Henderson is a talented young player with a bright future ahead of him. And as a basketball enthusiast, I’ll be keeping a close eye on his recruitment process, eager to see where he’ll ultimately end up.