This week, former Syracuse forward Maliq Brown and Purdue forward Mason Gillis both gained a new follower on social media: the official accounts of the Duke basketball program. Interestingly, these are the only transfer targets currently being followed by the Blue Devils, hinting at positive developments in their recruitment by Jon Scheyer’s coaching staff. Gillis, a robust 6-foot-6, 225-pound player, garnered attention after earning Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year honors during his senior year at Purdue. Despite averaging 6.5 points and 3.9 rebounds per game, he played a crucial role for the NCAA runner-up Boilermakers.

Gillis recently entered the transfer portal, and within a week, Duke has shown interest in him. At 23 years old, he is exploring his NBA Draft prospects while keeping the option of utilizing his final year of college eligibility as a graduate student. As of now, Gillis hasn’t disclosed any plans to visit potential new destinations, leaving his next move uncertain.

Maliq Brown, who still has two years of eligibility remaining, showcased his talents during his time at Syracuse, averaging 9.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game as a sophomore. He even earned a spot on the ACC All-Defensive Team. Currently, Brown is visiting Durham until Friday, spending time with the Duke Blue Devils. This visit marks a significant step, as it is the first and only one announced for both Brown as a visiting transfer and Duke as a host during this year’s transfer cycle.

Brown’s presence in Durham and his social media activity, particularly his Instagram Story showcasing personalized posters from Duke, indicate positive engagement between him and the Blue Devils. While it’s uncertain whether these interactions will lead to commitments in the near future, Duke’s actions suggest a clear direction in their recruitment strategy for this year’s transfer portal. The Blue Devils seem to prioritize toughness and experience, traits they believe will fill the three open scholarship spots on their 2024-25 roster.