In a seismic shift for college basketball recruiting, Dame Sarr, the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2025 class, has committed to Duke University, choosing the Blue Devils over the Kansas Jayhawks. The 6-foot-6, 18-year-old Italian-Senegalese wing, known for his versatility and NBA-ready skill set, announced his decision on May 22, 2025, sending shockwaves through the recruiting landscape. Sarr’s commitment to Duke, under the guidance of head coach Jon Scheyer, solidifies the Blue Devils’ position as a powerhouse for the 2025-26 season.
Sarr, who most recently played professionally with FC Barcelona in the EuroLeague and Spanish Liga ACB, brings a unique blend of size, athleticism, and skill to Durham. Born in Italy with Senegalese heritage, Sarr’s journey to becoming the top prospect in his class has been marked by standout performances, including a 17-point showing at the 2025 Nike Hoop Summit and a career-high 28 points against U18 Overtime Elite. His ability to score efficiently, facilitate plays, and defend multiple positions makes him a perfect fit for Duke’s fast-paced, versatile system. Recruiting analysts, including On3’s Joe Tipton, have praised Sarr’s high basketball IQ and two-way potential, projecting him as a likely first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
The recruitment of Sarr was a rollercoaster, with Kansas initially emerging as the frontrunner after his official visit to Lawrence on May 7, 2025. The Jayhawks, led by legendary coach Bill Self, appeared poised to secure Sarr’s commitment, with 247Sports’ Travis Branham logging a Crystal Ball prediction in their favor. However, Duke re-entered the race following uncertainty surrounding transfer commit Cedric Coward, whose stock soared at the NBA Draft Combine, making it likely he would remain in the draft. This opened a critical roster spot for Sarr, and Duke capitalized with an official visit on May 19, 2025, which swung momentum in their favor.
Duke’s recruiting class for 2025 was already formidable, featuring five-star prospects Cameron and Cayden Boozer—sons of former Duke star Carlos Boozer—and four-star small forward Nikolas Khamenia. Sarr’s addition elevates this group to elite status, addressing the Blue Devils’ need for a dynamic wing after losing key players like Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, Tyrese Proctor, and Khaman Maluach to the 2025 NBA Draft. With returning players like Caleb Foster and Isaiah Evans, alongside Sarr, Duke’s 2025-26 roster is poised to compete for a national championship.
For Kansas, losing Sarr is a significant blow. The Jayhawks, who turned over nearly their entire roster this offseason, viewed Sarr as a cornerstone to pair with top recruit Darryn Peterson. Despite their strong recruiting pitch, Duke’s late push and Scheyer’s vision for Sarr’s role proved decisive. Kansas fans expressed disappointment on social media, with some drawing parallels to past recruiting misses like Mackenzie Mgbako in 2023.
Sarr’s commitment underscores Duke’s enduring appeal under Scheyer, who continues to attract top talent in the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) era. As Sarr prepares to join the Blue Devils, college basketball fans eagerly await his impact in Durham, where he’s expected to shine as a one-and-done star.
