Duke Basketball Secures Commitment from Five-Star Recruit Bryson Howard

Durham, NC – Duke University gained a major recruit on Tuesday with the commitment of five-star wing Bryson Howard from the Class of 2026. Howard announced his decision live on the CBS Sports College Basketball YouTube Channel, choosing Duke over North Carolina and Kentucky.

This swift commitment follows a remarkable rise for Howard, who was unranked until recently after an impressive junior season at Heritage High School in Frisco, Texas. He moved up the prospect rankings from No. 29 to No. 12 overall, earning his five-star status after a standout performance in grassroots basketball.

Howard’s basketball pedigree is notable. His father, Josh Howard, played 10 years in the NBA after a successful college career at Wake Forest. The elder Howard won the ACC Player of the Year in 2003 and was named an NBA All-Star in 2007 while with the Dallas Mavericks.

Adam Finkelstein, director of scouting at 247Sports, described Howard’s game as aggressive and versatile. He can attack the rim effectively and is a threat above the rim. His shooting percentage is impressive, with a 45% success rate from three-point range and 75% from the free-throw line.

Howard’s length—a 6-foot-11 wingspan—and physical play are significant assets. He shows promise defensively too, with solid court coverage and playmaking abilities, averaging 2 steals per game alongside 0.9 blocks. Despite needing refinement in certain areas, like decision-making and using his right hand, Howard has immense potential.

During his junior season, he averaged 17.1 points and 10.2 rebounds across 37 games. Before committing to Duke, Howard was also considering offers from Houston and Tennessee.