Duke Basketball Recruiting: The Top 10 Players Coach K Wants in 2012

Mike Krzyzewski is a talented recruiter for the Duke Blue Devils, and he is looking to sign these ten recruits for the 2012-13 college basketball season.

Coach K has been bringing in major talent since the days of Johnny Dawkins, and he is keeping that tradition alive today.

The Duke Blue Devils are one of the best programs in college basketball history, and a lot of their success stems from Krzyzewski's ability to land top-notch recruits.

While in-game coaching is very important in college sports, it can only go so far. A school needs to be good at recruiting if they want to maintain their success for an extended period of time.

These ten recruits could help Duke maintain success for several more years.

10. Perry Ellis

Perry Ellis is a 6'8" power forward from Wichita, Kansas. It should be noted that his interest level in Duke has dropped, and he has essentially taken them off of his list of schools.

But Mike Krzyzewski is still trying to recruit him, as Coach K has given Ellis a standing offer.

Ellis is a very strong player, but he is not limited to playing inside. He can bang inside with college big men, but he also runs the floor well and can play small forward if necessary.

The ability to be a combo-forward and succeed in both areas makes Ellis special. He can hit jumpers if he is open, and he is incredibly successful when he drives.

Coach K wants Ellis, and although he probably won't get him, he has not given up just yet.

9. Rasheed Sulaimon

Rasheed Sulaimon is a 6'3" shooting guard from Houston, Texas. He has already committed to Duke.

Sulaimon is a scoring-threat who has almost unlimited energy. He can lead a team in transition, hit pull-up jumpers or drive and finish at the rim.

When he plays in a half-court set, Sulaimon looks to drive when he has the ball, but he can also hit threes. He is not very consistent when shooting from range, but he can go on streaks when he hit three or four in a row, and defenses must respect that.

This kid is like the Energizer Bunny. He never gives up on a play, and he is constantly running. He stays on his man on defense and he moves without the ball on offense.

If the opposing team doesn't have someone with as much energy as Sulaimon to guard him, then they are going to have a nightmarish game.

8. Robert Carter

Robert Carter is a 6'8" power forward from Thomasville, Georgia who is looking at Duke and a number of other schools.

As a power forward, Carter likes to play inside, and he is very capable with the ball. He knows how to gain position in the post and then catch even the hardest passes with his soft hands. From there, he can score a basket and get to the line.

Carter can be a big part of the offense because of his skill inside, but also because of his ability to consistently hit jumpers out to about 20 feet.

Coach K has not made an offer yet, but we expect that he will try to get Carter before he decides on another school.

Because although he has to become more aggressive when demanding the ball inside, Carter has the potential to be a great player, and Mike Krzyzewski wants to be the one to make him one.

7. Tony Parker

No, not that Tony Parker. This Tony Parker is still in high school, and he is a power forward from Lithonia, Georgia. Parker has narrowed his list of schools to three: Memphis, Ohio State and Duke.

This kid is big, and his size and skill make him one of the top forwards in this recruiting class. If Duke is going to land one of their big men, this is probably the one that will commit.

Parker has great hands which help him handle hard passes inside. When he has the ball, he knows how to score in the post. He can beat you with a jump-hook over either shoulder (he prefers the left), and he can hit jump-shots.

While he has cut down on body fat and improve his stamina a bit more before he can become elite, Parker looks good.

6. Alex Poythress

Alex Poythress is a 6'7" small forward from Clarksville, Tennessee. He only has about five schools left on his list, and Duke is one of them.

Just about all of his success stems from his long arms and athleticism. He scores by driving through the lane, and he can lead a team in transition. He is also a great rebounder because he can get high, and his long arms help him reach out and grab rebounds he shouldn't.

On defense, Poythress challenges and blocks shots with his length, and he can stick to his man like glue. He also has good range which allows him to knock down threes, and makes defenses extend out to guard him, leaving them vulnerable inside.

Poythress still needs to add some strength if he wants to maintain his level of success in college, but he still has a year to do so.

5. Devonta Pollard

Devonta Pollard is a 6'7" small forward from De Kalb, Mississippi. He still has about eight schools on his list, and Duke is among them.

This kid has ridiculous hops. He elevates to new heights; he looks like he has springs in his shoes. Pollard uses his athletic ability to jump up and snag rebounds. He also uses his excellent timing to help him block shots.

Some may say that Pollard is ambidextrous when they see him play in the paint because he finishes nicely with both hands. Pollard also has a good pull-up jumper that he uses in the half-court set and in transition.

Pollard is not a bad shooter, but he still needs to improve his shot if he wants to become an elite player.

4. Anthony Bennett

Anthony Bennett is a 6'8" power forward from Brampton, Ontario, Canada. Bennett still has about a dozen schools on his list, one of which is Duke.

Unfortunately, the Blue Devils are pretty low on his list, but Coach K hasn't given up just yet.

Bennett has a good combination of power and finesse. He can drive inside and finish around the rim through contact. Believe it or not, this power forward can also knock down three-pointers.

He is a good rebounder because of his natural instinct and his ability to use his wide frame.

Bennett still needs to work on his game in the post, but he is a very good player.

3. Rodney Purvis

Rodney Purvis is a 6'4" shooting guard from Raleigh, North Carolina. He used to have Duke as his No. 1, but the Blue Devils have steadily dropped.

Purvis' game focuses around his ability to slash through the lane. He is always looking to penetrate the defense in the half-court, and he leads the team in transition. He also has a respectable shot that ranges out to 15 feet, which slightly extends the defense, allowing him to drive more freely.

He is also an excellent rebounder because of his aggressiveness and ability to jump up high. He is also a good passer who can play point guard if need be, with most of assists coming while he is driving through the lane.

Purvis still needs to extend his range, but if he can become consistent out to 20-25 feet, he will be elite.

2. Mitch McGary

Mitch McGary is a 6'10" power forward from Chesterton, Indiana. He has list of schools down to six, including Duke and rival North Carolina.

McGary is dominant in the paint. He has great size and is very physical. He consistently finishes in the paint through contact.

McGary has a lot of energy, and he is usually active on the fast-break. He can finish with either hand, just like many other big men on this list. His ability to hit jumpers from about 20 feet helps extend the defense, and McGary isn't afraid to drive the ball inside.

While he still needs to work on his game with his back to the basket, McGary is going to be a great college player.

1. Shabazz Muhammad

Shabazz Muhammad is a 6'6" small forward from Las Vegas, Nevada. Muhammad has just about every school in the nation recruiting him, and he has narrowed his choices down to about 10, with Duke being among them.

Muhammad is a leader, one of the best. He is incredibly competitive, and it spreads to his teammates.

He knows how to drive very well, and that is how he scores the majority of his points. He utilizes a dribble or two to get inside, where he finishes well.

Virtually unstoppable within 15 feet, Muhammad needs to be guarded fiercely on the perimeter. He is also a good shooter who can hit jumpers with ease.

A very athletic player, Muhammad is NBA-ready, but he still has another year of high school and at least one of college. The only thing he has to work on is being consistent from outside, and that shouldn't be a problem.

Josh Schoch is a college basketball Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and an aspiring sports writer, dedicated to bringing you entertaining and informative articles about college basketball, US Open, Little League World Series, MLB and more. Follow him on Twitter.