One incoming Duke basketball rookie and one class of 2027 target for the Blue Devils are currently competing for Team USA at the FIBA U17 Men’s World Cup in Turkey.
Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje, a late addition to Jon Scheyer and Co.’s 2026 recruiting class, made the squad as the lone representative out of the 2026 recruiting class. Boumtje Boumtje is 17 years old, but reclassified to 2026 to play college basketball this fall.
Advertisement
Tryouts for the US National Team were held in Colorado Springs, CO, earlier this month, with Boumtje Boumtje making the final 12-man team from an original group of 36 players. The 7’1″, 230-pound big man has been stellar through the squad’s first two Group A games.
Mar 26, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer speaks with the media during a press conference ahead of the east regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Against Japan, Boumtje Boumtje tallied seven blocks, setting a Team USA single-game blocks record and marking the third-most blocks in a game by a single player in FIBA U17 World Cup history.
A future Duke target, 5-star guard Beckham Black, is also competing alongside Boumtje Boumtje for Team USA.
Mar 27, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer reacts in the first half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the East Regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Beckham Black One of Duke Basketball’s Top 2027 Targets
The Blue Devils have only offered three prospects in the 2027 recruiting class thus far, one of whom is 5-star guard Beckham Black. The 6’3″, 180-pound point guard is currently rated as the No. 4 overall player, No. 1 point guard, and No. 2 player out of the state of Florida, according to the 247Sports 2027 Composite Rankings.
Advertisement
Duke was present to watch Black play at Session 2 of the NIKE EYBL Circuit back in May and has remained interested in the elite guard. Black has picked up several big-time offers from schools such as Michigan, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Arkansas, among others.
Black and Boumtje Boumtje have been establishing a potential future connection in Durham, and Black’s elite playmaking prowess has been on display for Team USA.
Mar 21, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer reacts after a play during the second half against the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Beckham Black Filling Stat Sheet for Team USA
Team USA has played its first two games of Group A play, defeating France 115-84 and Japan 128-66. Black was clinical in both outings.
Advertisement
Against France, Black went for a team-high 23 points to go along with four assists, two steals, and a block. He followed that up with a 19-point and 10-assist double-double effort, to go along with four steals, to propel the Americans to another victory.
Mar 19, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer reacts in the first half during a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Black is a complete point guard with an elite scoring and passing package. His performances as a leader at the U17 World Cup have only raised his stock as a prospect thus far. Expect Duke to remain in the mix for the 5-star recruit.
This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/duke as Duke Basketball Target Beckham Black Showcasing Skills for Team USA.
