Bryson Howard set to announce commitment with Duke trending

One of Kentucky‘s top remaining recruiting targets in the class of 2026 will announce his college decision on Tuesday, October 21. Unfortunately, though, it’s another blue blood and rival of the Wildcats trending ahead of the four-star guard’s commitment.

Bryson Howard, the No. 11 overall recruit and No. 3 shooting guard in the Rivals150, is set to choose between North Carolina, Duke and Kentucky coming off official visits to all three programs. Where will he land? Two picks came in favoring the Blue Devils on Monday, one from Jamie Shaw of On3/Rivals and another from Chad Lykins of 247Sports.

The 6-foot-4 guard out of Texas was the biggest stock riser of the summer, going from unranked with zero offers in the spring to a consensus top-20 prospect with three of the best traditions in the sport fighting for his services down the stretch. For now, though, it appears Jon Scheyer and Duke are in the driver’s seat ahead of his announcement.

Howard recently broke down all three finalists in an interview with Jamie Shaw at USA Basketball Junior National Team October Minicamp.

DUKE: “It’s a great environment to be around. The way they carry each other, and the way they play together, it fits with my play style. Our relationship has been going good. 
I’ve been keeping in touch with them at least every day out of the week, you know, so, it’s been really good.”

KENTUCKY: “What stood out to me was the way they shoot the ball. Coach (Mark) Pope was showing me some of their stats and they can really shoot the ball. My relationship with them is going pretty good. I talk with Coach (Alvin) Brooks, Coach (Mikhail) McLean, Coach Pope almost every day.”

UNC: “It was great seeing their facilities, you know, because Michael Jordan was there. So just to be in there know that he was there was just a crazy moment. They like how my game fits with how they play; that I can get up and down on the defensive end, run and transition, and knock down shots.”

Howard visited Lexington back on October 4 — his most recent — with prior visits to North Carolina on September 5 and Duke on September 19. The Wilcats extended an offer to the 6-foot-4 guard and son of former NBA All-Star Josh Howard back on June 23.

Should Pope and the Cats miss out on Howard, as expected, Deron Rippey Jr., Jordan Smith Jr., Caleb Holt, Baba Oladotun, Maximo Adams, Christian Collins, Arafan Diane, Josh Irving and, yes, Tyran Stokes are still on the board and considered top targets.

The dominoes are starting to fall with Pope still waiting for his turn.