Duke lands Chosen 25 SG Cassius Stanley

Duke only entered the race for Cassius Stanley a month and a half ago, but that was long enough for the Blue Devils to make a lasting impression on the 6-foot-5 shooting guard; after completing an official visit to Durham, N.C., last week, Stanley committed to Duke over Kansas, Oregon and UCLA on Monday.

Stanley is ranked No. 17 overall in USA Today Sports’ Chosen 25.

“I just felt that Duke was the best fit,” Stanley told USA Today Sports. “And would help me maximize my potential on the court and off the court.”

RELATED: 2018-19 ALL-USA High School Boys Basketball: Third Team

This past season, Stanley led Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth, Calif.) to a second consecutive CIF State Open Division title, averaging 17.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists a game. The Trailblazers (32-3) finished No. 12 overall in the USA Today Super 25.

My Decision 😈 pic.twitter.com/z9wl8byq7w

— Cassius Stanley (@cassius_stanley) April 22, 2019

“Duke is a historic program,” Stanley said. “And a historic coaching staff.”

Stanley, who was named to the ALL-USA team this month, is Duke’s fifth commitment in Duke’s 2019 haul, joining fellow Chosen 25 stars like University School (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) forward Vernon Carey Jr. (No. 5), John Marshall High School (Rochster, Minn.) forward Matthew Hurt (No. 8), Cox Mill High School (Concord, N.C.) wing Wendell Moore Jr. (No. 23) and Mission Bay High School (San Diego) shooting guard Boogie Ellis (No. 25).

RELATED: The Cassius Stanley Blog

Stanley’s addition gives Duke the No. 1 recruiting class for the third-straight year.

<p><strong>School:</strong> Montverde (Fla.) Academy<br/><strong>Position:</strong> Forward<br/><strong>Ht/Wt:</strong> 6-9/210<br/><strong>Class: </strong>2019<br/><strong>College: </strong>Undecided<br/><strong>Noteworthy: </strong>Achiuwa has been the catalyst for the No. 3 Eagles this season, leading them to nine wins over Super 25 opponents. Achiuwa is ranked No. 13 overall in the Chosen 25.</p><p><em>Photo: USA Today Sports</em></p>

<p><strong>School:</strong> Vandergrift (Austin, Texas)<br /> <strong>Position:</strong> Forward<br /> <strong>Ht/Wt:</strong> 6-7/180<br /> <strong>Class:</strong> 2020<br /> <strong>College:</strong> Undecided<br /> <strong>Noteworthy</strong>: Brown averaged more than 30 points, 13 rebounds, and five blocks per game. An uncommitted junior who can guard any position on the court, Brown is the No. 6-ranked prospect in the Class of 2020 Super 25.</p> <p><em>Photo: Jim Parker </em></p>

<p><strong>School:</strong> Glens Falls (N.Y.)<br /> <strong>Position:</strong> Shooting Guard<br /> <strong>Ht/Wt:</strong> 6-1/180<br /> <strong>Class:</strong> 2019<br /> <strong>College:</strong> Syracuse<br /> <strong>Noteworthy: </strong>The all-time leading scorer in New York state history with 4,678 points, shattering the previous record held by Lance Stephenson. Girard led the Indians to a 27-1 record and hit the game winner in the Class B state title. The future Syracuse quarterback posted an unimaginable 49.4 points per game while adding seven rebounds and seven assists.</p> <p><em>Photo: Kate Collins/Democrat and Chronicle</em></p>

<p><strong>School: </strong>IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)<br/><strong>Position: </strong>Shooting Guard<br/><strong>Ht/Wt:</strong> 6-6/210<br/><strong>Class: </strong>2019<br/><strong>College:</strong> Arizona<br/><strong>Noteworthy:</strong> Green led the No. 4 Ascenders to this season, averaging 20 points, seven assists and five rebounds a game while playing alongside seven other high major Division I players. Green is ranked No. 8 overall in the Chosen 25.</p><p><em>Photo: Gregory Payan/AP</em></p>

<p><strong>School: </strong>Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)<br/><strong>Position:</strong> Shooting guard<br/><strong>Ht/Wt:</strong> 6-5/180<br/><strong>Class:</strong> 2019<br/><strong>College:</strong> Undecided<br/><strong>Noteworthy: </strong>Stanley, a Chosen 25 player, averaged 17.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game while playing lockdown defense, including limiting his man to just one point in the championship game.</p><p><em>Photo: Sierra Canyon School</em></p>

Follow Jason Jordan on Twitter: @JayJayUSATODAY