Duke Basketball’s 2026 Vision Expands as Jon Scheyer Offers Texas Star Austin Goosby
For months, the Duke basketball recruiting strategy for the 2026 class followed a clear pattern: pursue only the most elite, composite five-star talents. But that narrative took a sharp turn recently, and it’s making waves across the high school hoops landscape.
Head coach Jon Scheyer and his staff are now widening the net — and in doing so, they’ve zeroed in on one of the most dynamic four-star guards in the country: Austin Goosby of Melissa High School in Texas.
On Tuesday night, the 6-foot-5 shooting guard made it official via social media — he’s received an offer from Duke.
And that’s no small news.
Goosby isn’t just another name on the list. The 2026 standout is a polished scorer with a versatile offensive arsenal, deadly accuracy from the perimeter, and an emerging ability to create plays off the bounce. Standing at 6’5” and weighing 190 pounds, Goosby checks all the boxes of a modern backcourt threat, drawing comparisons to some of the top scoring guards at the college level today.
According to the 247Sports 2026 Composite Rankings, Goosby currently sits at No. 32 overall, is ranked No. 4 among shooting guards, and is the No. 2 overall prospect in the state of Texas. And while he may not have the five-star label yet, his offer list is starting to look like that of a top-10 recruit — with programs from every major conference knocking on his door.
This move by Duke signals a calculated shift in recruiting philosophy. While five-star dominance remains the hallmark of the Blue Devils’ approach, Scheyer and his team are clearly not afraid to tap into the rising stars who are climbing the rankings and proving themselves against elite competition.
And make no mistake — Goosby is surging.
His combination of length, shooting, and two-way potential makes him one of the most exciting prospects in the 2026 class. His stock has steadily risen throughout the past year, especially after strong performances in the AAU circuit and national showcases. Coaches across the country are noticing. Now, so is Duke.
With this offer, the Blue Devils are planting a flag in the Texas basketball scene — a region that continues to produce high-level talent year after year. And although Duke hasn’t landed a commitment in the 2026 cycle just yet, it’s clear they are positioning themselves strategically in key recruiting battles.
This isn’t just about stacking stars; it’s about identifying who can thrive in Duke’s evolving system under Scheyer’s leadership.
For Goosby, the Duke offer could be a game-changer. Not only does it elevate his national profile, but it also puts him in the conversation among future college basketball difference-makers. Whether he ends up in Durham remains to be seen, but this latest development signals that the Blue Devils are serious about adding firepower to their 2026 backcourt.
Keep an eye on this name — Austin Goosby. He might just be the next sharpshooter to light it up at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
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