Recruiting analyst believes Jalen Duren goes pro with UK among top 3 college options

The race to land the second-ranked prospect in the 2022 recruiting class is likely to come down to three schools if he does choose to attend college, according to Rivals recruiting director Rob Cassidy.

In a recent article where Cassidy projected the landing spot for each of the nation’s five prospects, he pegged five-star center Jalen Duran to go the pro route either in the NBA’s G League or internationally. For college options, the final three came down to Miami, Michigan, and Kentucky.

“I’d still bet on Duren forgoing college to cash hefty paychecks in the pros,” Cassidy wrote. “That said, my prediction here comes with a caveat, being that if the five-star big man shocks everyone and enters college, it’ll be at Kentucky, Miami or Michigan. Still, following the money is wise in all endeavors. The tea leaves here still read “no college.”

This is obviously not the best news for a Kentucky program that has gone several years without landing a top overall prospect.

Plus, if he does go to college, it appears Michigan is the early favorite, as 100% of Rivals FutureCasts, including one from Kentucky reporter Travis Graf, are for the Wolverines.

247’s crystal ball projections lean toward the five-star center entering the pro ranks.

For Cassidy’s breakdown click here.

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