Duke has landed their first commitment in the Class of 2026, securing a verbal pledge from the nation's overall No. 12 player - **[Bryson Howard](https://247sports.com/Player/Bryson-Howard-46153422)**. The 6'5", 188 pound Frisco, TX native chose the Blue Devils over fellow Blue Bloods Kentucky and North Carolina.
Howard, the son of former NBA All-Star Josh Howard, is one of the most physically gifted and versatile prospects in the country, a long, athletic southpaw who impacts both ends of the floor with his size, skill, and competitiveness.
The 6-foot-7 forward owns a 6-foot-11 wingspan and already boasts an advanced physical frame for his age. He thrives attacking the rim in straight lines, absorbing contact and finishing through traffic. His combination of length, vertical pop, and strength make him a legitimate lob threat and transition finisher, but he's also shown legitimate shooting touch that makes him more than just an athlete.