Duke Basketball Recruiting: Blue Devils Set to Host Serbian Five-Star Prospect Matija Lukić
Duke head coach Jon Scheyer and his recruiting staff are continuing to explore international talent as they prepare for the future of the Blue Devils basketball program. Their latest target is Matija Lukić, a highly regarded 17-year-old prospect from Serbia who is preparing for a tour of several American college basketball programs.
According to DraftExpress, Lukić is expected to visit Duke during his upcoming trip to the United States. The 6-foot-9 wing is also scheduled to explore opportunities at Boston College, BYU, NC State, North Carolina, UConn and Utah, while Washington is another program involved in his recruitment.
The development is significant for Duke because Lukić is considered one of the promising international players in the 2027 recruiting class. His combination of size, perimeter ability and international experience makes him an intriguing prospect for programs looking to strengthen their future rosters.
Duke Joins a Competitive List of College Programs
Lukić’s upcoming visit schedule demonstrates the level of interest surrounding his recruitment.
Duke will have an opportunity to introduce him to its basketball culture, academic environment and player-development program. The Blue Devils have consistently attracted elite international prospects, and Scheyer’s staff continues to look beyond traditional American high school recruiting.
However, Duke will face considerable competition.
Boston College, BYU, NC State, North Carolina, UConn and Utah are also included in the reported itinerary. Washington has reportedly maintained interest as well.
Importantly, the trip is not simply a Duke visit. His Spanish club, Casademont Zaragoza, confirmed on October 30 that Lukić would travel to the United States for a ten-day tour involving seven NCAA universities.
The club explained that the opportunity is part of his development agreement and will allow him to examine the academic and basketball programs before making a decision about his college future.
No commitment has been announced, and the upcoming visits should be viewed as an opportunity for Lukić to evaluate his options rather than an indication that he has chosen a destination.
Matija Lukić’s International Basketball Profile
Lukić has already developed an impressive résumé despite being just 17 years old.
FIBA lists his height at 202 centimeters (approximately 6-foot-8) and identifies him as a shooting guard. Other scouting profiles list him around 6-foot-9, reflecting the measurements commonly associated with his recruitment.
His size is particularly attractive because he has the potential to operate as a perimeter player while offering the physical dimensions of a forward.
He has represented Serbia at international youth competitions and plays for Casademont Zaragoza in Spain. His experience against international competition has helped establish him as one of the prospects attracting attention ahead of the 2027 college recruiting cycle.
Impressive Performance at the 2026 FIBA U17 World Cup
One of the strongest indicators of Lukić’s potential came during the 2026 FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup in Turkey.
He averaged 16.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game across seven appearances for Serbia. His tournament included several impressive scoring performances against quality international opponents.
His best individual performance came in the quarterfinal against Lithuania, where he recorded 27 points, six rebounds and four assists.
He followed that performance with 20 points against Turkey in the semifinal before finishing with 16 points and seven rebounds against the United States in the championship game.
Serbia ultimately finished as the tournament runner-up, but Lukić’s performances demonstrated his ability to contribute against some of the best young players in the world.
Another Major Achievement: Adidas Next Generation Tournament MVP
Lukić has also continued his impressive development at club level.
During the Adidas Next Generation Tournament in Rijeka, Croatia, he earned MVP recognition after helping the Pablo Laso Academy reach the championship game.
His tournament averages were outstanding: 20.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and a 28-point performance index rating across four games.
The highlight came in the final, when he delivered 38 points, seven rebounds and two assists, although his team eventually fell short of winning the championship.
That performance further strengthened his reputation as an international prospect worth monitoring. heraldo.
What Could Lukić Bring to Duke?
From a basketball perspective, Lukić offers the type of versatility that could interest Scheyer.
His height gives him an advantage on the wing, while his international experience suggests he has already faced different styles of basketball. Scouting evaluations have highlighted his shooting potential, movement without the ball and ability to attack defensive closeouts.
There are still areas for development, including tightening his ball-handling and improving his ability to create shots against quicker defenders. Nevertheless, his combination of size and offensive versatility makes him an intriguing long-term prospects.
Duke already has significant momentum in its 2027 recruiting class, with Asa Montgomery recently joining Kager Knueppel and Luke Paul. Adding another international prospect would give the Blue Devils another opportunity to build a talented and versatile group.
Final Thoughts
Matija Lukić’s upcoming Duke visit is an important recruiting development for the Blue Devils. His international production, recent tournament MVP award and potential as a tall perimeter player make him an intriguing addition to Scheyer’s recruiting board.
However, with several other programs involved, Duke will need to make a strong impression during his visit.
For now, the biggest development is that one of Europe’s promising young prospects is preparing to explore his American college options, and Duke will have an opportunity to make its case.
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