Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje Makes Decision on Duke or UNC Commitment After Barcelona Success

Duke has scored another win over North Carolina, this time in the recruiting race for Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje.

Boumtje Boumtje, who spent last season with FC Barcelona's developmental team Barca Liga U, announced on Instagram that he has committed to play for Jon Scheyer and the Blue Devils after also being recruited by North Carolina.

"Blessed and excited to announce my commitment to the Duke Blue Devils for next season," he wrote. "Thank you to my family, my coaches, and my teammates who have been helping me throughout my journey!"

247Sports' composite rankings list Boumtje Boumtje as a 4-star prospect, with Adam Finkelstein's scouting report praising his "tremendous overlap of size and skill."

Finkelstein noted Boumtje Boumtje measured in at 7'0" tall with a 9'4" standing reach at the 2025 USA Basketball Trials, with the ability to be a stretch five thanks to his "extremely soft natural touch and floor-spacing ability."

There had been a lot of smoke recently connecting Boumtje Boumtje to North Carolina.

New Tar Heels head coach Michael Malone reportedly went on a recruiting trip to Spain this week, with Boumtje Boumtje one of his primary targets.

Malone won't come home empty handed because Sayon Keita did commit to UNC, per NBA draft insider Jonathan Givony.

Duke emerged as a serious threat to Boumtje Boumtje late in the recruiting process.

John Watson of 247Sports noted on Monday that Scheyer and his staff made their primary focus of the late-spring recruiting cycle to be patient and wait for a player to fill their final roster spot with a player "who meaningfully fits both the coming season and the one after it."

Boumtje Boumtje won't have to step into a major role right away because Patrick Ngongba II recently announced he was returning to Duke for his junior season.

The Blue Devils currently have the No. 3 incoming recruiting class in the country, led by Cameron Williams and Deron Rippey Jr. Boumtje Boumtje adds another high-ceiling talent for Scheyer and his staff to build around in their quest to win a national title next season.