"A combination of Keith Van Horn and Kyle Singler" - NCAAB insider reacts to Duke's latest 4-star addition, Nikolas Khamenia

After the commitment of the Boozer twins, Nikolas Khamenia becomes Duke's second four-star recruit, making it the No. 1 recruiting class in 2025. On Wednesday, the small forward out of Studio City (CA) Harvard Westlake announced his decision to commit to the program on Instagram. He received high praise from ESPN's National Director of Recruiting Paul Biancardi.

NCAAB insider Paul Biancardi reacts to the announcement of Duke's latest 4-star commit Nikolas Khamenia (SportsCenter's Instagram)

"He reminds me of a combination of Keith Van Horn and Kyle Singler. Along with the Boozers next season, they will have a skilled, smart, and fundamentally sound trio," Biancardi commented on the post announcing Khamenia's commitment.

Biancardi compared Khamenia with 1997-98 All-Rookie team member Keith Van Horn, who averaged 16.0 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game, and 2012-13 All-Rookie player Kyle Singler, who averaged 6.5 ppg 2.9 rpg and 0.2 apg.

Khamenia had offers from many top colleges but narrowed it down to UCLA, Gonzaga and Arizona before choosing Jon Scheyer's team. He ranks seventh in his position and fifth in California. Khamenia also represented Team USA in the 2024 FIBA U18 Americas Championship. He posted averages of 7.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg and 3 apg in his six games played, helping the team win the gold medal.

With the addition of four-star recruit Cayden Boozer and No. 2 recruit Cameron Boozer to their roster, the Blue Devils will look to move past the Elite Eight in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

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Why did Nikolas Khamenia choose Duke?

According to 247Sports, Khamenia had 23 offers and made five visits to UCLA, Duke, North Carolina, Arizona and Gonzaga. Furthermore, the Kentucky Wildcats coach Mark Pope also visited the small forward.

In an interview with On3, Khamenia spoke about his reasons for choosing Duke.

“I have been able to build a very good relationship with their staff, talking to them pretty often almost every other day," Khamenia said.

I have talked to coach Scheyer a lot and we have discussed what he sees out of me and how his program can help me develop and vise versa how he sees me being able to help them win more games and be a perfect fit in their culture."

How well do you think Khamenia will play for Duke?