Chase Duke is a player with a solid frame. He was tough on the boards, played with a high motor end to end, and consistently used his body to make stops and close off driving plays. Duke also found success in the backcourt by reading and knocking down passes. He flashed a scorer’s touch with a couple of three-pointers and some driving plays.          

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: in my opinion, Duke is the toughest player in the state of Missouri. He plays a positionless brand of basketball, impacting the game in a variety of ways regardless of matchup or situation.

Built with a strong, physical frame, Duke combines toughness with a crafty offensive skill set and a tremendous feel for the game. He can stretch the floor as a perimeter shooter, but he’s also more than capable of putting the ball on the deck and scoring through traffic. He loves initiating contact, often using his strength and physicality to create space and gain an advantage against defenders. Rather than avoiding contact, he embraces it and consistently turns it into a weapon.

What separates him is the energy and competitiveness he brings every time he steps on the floor. Chase plays with an edge and a relentless motor, impacting winning in ways that don’t always show up in the box score. He attacks the glass, provides value as a rebounder, and is a rugged defender who uses his strength and instincts to make life difficult for opponents.

At 6-foot-3, he projects as a physical wing at the next level. The combination of toughness, production, versatility, and competitiveness makes him one of the more interesting prospects in the state. Ultimately, whichever program lands Duke could be getting one of the steals of the recruiting cycle, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see more schools prioritize him in the near future.

If there’s a tougher player in Missouri, I’d have a hard time believing it. Duke is the type of player who does whatever is needed to win games. He may not pass the eye test with all the physical measurables, but he can flat-out play. Deceptively quick with the ball in his hands, once he gets his shoulders downhill he’s a load attacking the rim, showing time and time again that contact doesn’t bother him. He can face up, operate off the wing, and stretch the floor — all while handling the ball and facilitating offense at times. Chase makes his presence known defensively as well. He’s not afraid to pressure ball handlers and really mix it up inside if switched onto bigger players. One of the more exciting players to watch in person, you can catch him this weekend at the EYCL Live Period in Memphis — a sleeper next-level recruit who should see a lot more programs showing interest this spring and summer.