Duke Basketball's Search for Backcourt Depth Hits a Snag

Duke basketball's search for backcourt depth hits a snag as Koby Brea, a two-time Atlantic 10 Sixth Man of the Year, cancels his visit to Durham and becomes the perceived outright frontrunner for UConn.

Duke Basketball’s Search for Backcourt Depth Hits a Snag

The reigning champions, Duke basketball, looked like the clear favorite to land transfer target Koby Brea, a two-time Atlantic 10 Sixth Man of the Year and the NCAA’s 2023-24 leader in 3-point percentage at 49.8 on 201 attempts. However, in this new transfer era, plans can change quickly, and a frontrunner can emerge with precisely what the transfer is looking for, snagging a visit and ensuing commitment.

Koby Brea, a two-time Atlantic 10 Sixth Man of the Year

Initially, Brea planned to arrive in Durham on Tuesday for a three-day Duke basketball visit. However, it now appears that defending back-to-back national champion UConn is the perceived outright frontrunner for the 21-year-old Brea, who arrived in Storrs on Friday for a visit with Huskies head coach Dan Hurley and his staff extending through Sunday.

“Can report that Dayton transfer guard Koby Brea is not visiting Duke next week. It had been discussed and planned but is now off. The Blue Devils do need another veteran guard but it doesn’t look like it will be Brea, whose strength is more as a shooter than a ballhandler.” - Steve Wiseman, The News & Observer

Hours later, the 247Sports Crystal Ball received its first prediction in the Koby Brea sweepstakes, pointing to UConn as the favorite over fellow blueblood finalists Duke, Kentucky, UNC, and Kansas.

UConn, the perceived outright frontrunner for Koby Brea

Meanwhile, it appears as though Duke basketball’s search for backcourt depth via the transfer portal may well extend for another couple of weeks. As of the canceled visit between Brea and the Blue Devils, there are currently no reported transfer prospects on tap for Jon Scheyer and his staff to host as they try to add to their two portal pickups thus far in forwards Mason Gillis and Maliq Brown.

It’s also worth noting, though, that players have until Wednesday to enter their name into the transfer portal. So, it’s possible the ideal perimeter addition (or two) for the 2024-25 Duke roster hasn’t officially made themselves available to be recruited just yet.

Duke basketball’s search for backcourt depth continues