As we now take a much harder and closer look into Arizona's talented 2021 Class of prospects, there are numerous performers that would have made a big splash this spring and summer, pre-COVID-19 pandemic. One of the prospects that would have definitely made a lot of noise this spring, and is generating his load of division-I offers still in the process, is Perry High School's tough and physical 6-foot-10, 230-pound junior post Duke Brennan. Even amidst a cancellation of the spring evaluation period, Brennan has seen his recruiting stock begin to soar.
Perry High School (15-14), behind the veteran leadership of Head Coach Sam Duane Jr., did not have the season they had hoped for last season, but finished the season strong - eventually falling to Skyline HS (43-41) in the 6A State Quarterfinals. The team failed to reach expectations last season, but were a very talented group of young prospects, led by the play of Duke Brennan. Brennan posted strong numbers throughout season, and combined with 6-foot-11 sophomore star prospect Dylan Anderson to give Perry the biggest and most talented front line in the state.
As a result, Brennan has seen his college recruitment take off in preparation for a big senior season.
After receiving his first division-I offer from Northern Arizona University last summer, Brennan now has posted offers from UMASS, Rice, Air Force and Grand Canyon to go with it, and he is just beginning. An expected strong spring performance would have really impacted the recruitment of Brennan, as I believe he would have generated many more offers as a result of the attention he would have gained through his play and true size.
Brennan had planned to travel again this spring and summer with Team Harden on the Adidas Gauntlet circuit, where he held his own against top-rated post opposition last spring and summer. Last spring and summer, Brennan was the lone post prospect on his 16U Harden team, and held it down in the low post - displaying excellent toughness for the post position. Brennan competed for both Team Harden's 16U and 17U teams last club season. The exposure gained from playing on the Adidas Gauntlet this spring and summer would have been big.
Brennan is one of the better sleeper prospects in the West, and is one prospect that college programs need to take a hard look at. He has excellent size for the post position and has worked hard to develop as a player. He has grown a great deal physically over the past two years, and has now come into his own as a post prospect. Brennan has broad shoulders and enjoys mixing it up inside the paint against opposing post players. He also runs the floor hard and is a good finisher around the basket. Brennan has really improved over the past year and continues to develop - a post prospect that is definitely on the rise in the class and in the West.
I will look forward to watching Brennan continue to develop as a prospect, and look for his overall college recruitment to begin to really take off over the next several months, as he has a bright future ahead of him - possessing a body, skillset and toughness that many post players, today, do not possess.
Arizona Hoop Review Scouting Report: Duke is a young man who exudes a ton of potential. He has a very high motor and somewhat of a mean streak on the court. He rips rebounds down and has the ability to finish above the rim over defenders. Offensively, Duke has a very soft touch going to his right hand. He is just now beginning to gain recruiting steam, so it will be very fun to watch his development over the next few months. Has serious potential over time.
