Duke Basketball Loses Top Recruit Shelton Henderson to Reopened Recruitment

DURHAM, N.C. — Duke University‘s men’s basketball program has announced that five-star recruit Shelton Henderson has been released from his National Letter of Intent, sources confirmed to 247Sports. The 6-foot-6 small forward from Bellaire, Texas, has decided to reopen his recruitment following a mutual agreement with the Blue Devils.

Henderson’s decommitment comes as a surprise to many, considering he was part of Duke’s top-ranked recruiting class for 2025. He initially pledged to join the Blue Devils on November 2, 2023, over other prominent schools, including Texas. However, the recent projection of Duke’s roster depth for the 2025-26 season may have influenced his decision.

The news highlights a trend of high-profile recruits reassessing their commitments, fueled by significant changes in college basketball driven by the transfer portal. Henderson is now among a growing list of notable decommitments in spring recruiting, which also includes Liam McNeely (Indiana) and Labaron Philon (Kansas).

“With the shift in Duke’s roster and depth chart, it’s understandable why Shelton would want to reconsider his options,” said Travis Branham, national recruiting insider at 247Sports. “There’s a lot of talent in this class, and every recruit wants to find the right fit.”

Prior to Thursday’s announcement, Henderson held the No. 14 overall ranking in the 2025 class, sitting at No. 2 in Texas according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. His skill set includes defensive versatility, speed, and on-ball playmaking abilities, making him an appealing prospect for many high-major programs.

The Blue Devils have continued to secure commitments from strong prospects, as three McDonald’s All-American selections remain on board: Nikolas Khamenia from Harvard-Westlake School, Florida forward Cameron Boozer, and guard Cayden Boozer. However, Henderson’s vacancy is notable, as he was the last commitment in a stellar recruiting class that they have built.

The impact of Henderson’s decision could reverberate throughout college basketball, particularly as teams strategize for their upcoming rosters amid transfer portal fluctuations. Duke’s head coach Jon Scheyer will look to maintain a formidable lineup, expecting to retain several players from their successful 2024-25 season, which saw the team reach the Final Four.

Following this announcement, speculation grows about where Henderson may land, as multiple schools will look to capitalize on the opportunity to recruit a player of his caliber. As interest rampages, the next steps for Henderson will be closely monitored in the basketball community.