Cameron Williams’ Recruitment Heating Up: Five-Star Big Man Talks Duke, Summer Rise, and What Comes Next

Cameron Williams’ Recruitment Heating Up: Five-Star Big Man Talks Duke, Summer Rise, and What Comes Next

While the Class of 2026 recruiting cycle is still taking shape, one name rapidly climbing the boards this summer is Cameron Williams  a 6-foot-11, five-star prospect whose two-way game has caught the attention of elite programs across the country. At this point, he hasn’t narrowed down his list of schools, but one thing is clear: Duke is very much in the mix.

Williams has been making waves on the summer circuit, and his name is surging among recruiters and scouts alike. Long considered one of the top defensive prospects in his class, the big man is now showing serious flashes of offensive growth, turning heads at recent EYBL and prep showcases. His mix of size, agility, and versatility  particularly on the defensive end  has drawn comparisons to elite modern bigs, and college coaches have taken notice.

In a recent conversation with ZagsBlog, Williams opened up about his recruitment, highlighting the Blue Devils as a program that means a great deal to him.

“It means a lot [to be offered],” Williams said of Duke. “That’s one of the biggest schools. [Jon] Scheyer called my dad first and talked to him for about 10 minutes and then handed me the phone and talked to me and offered me. Duke was my favorite school last year. I was rooting for them  like Cooper [Flagg], Kon [Knueppel] and all of them. It really means a lot.”

It’s clear from his tone that Duke holds a special place in his heart. Having watched last year’s Blue Devils team  led by freshmen stars like Flagg and Knueppel  Williams sees a path for himself in Durham under Jon Scheyer’s guidance. And the way Scheyer develops mobile big men could be an important factor moving forward.

While Duke is currently the only school he’s spoken in detail about, Williams also mentioned Purdue, Texas, and USC as other programs actively involved in his recruitment. But that list is far from complete. Sources around his camp suggest that more than a dozen high-major schools have either offered or expressed strong interest in recent weeks  an indication of just how quickly his stock is rising.

So what makes Williams such a sought-after talent?

At 6-foot-11, he possesses an elite defensive foundation. Much like South Sudanese phenom Khaman Maluach, Williams combines rim protection with the ability to switch out and defend on the perimeter. That’s a rare quality in a player his size and one that fits perfectly into the modern college game  and eventually the NBA.

“He’s got that switchability you don’t see in many bigs,” one scout at the EYBL Peach Jam said. “You can trust him to hedge, drop, switch  whatever you want. And now he’s hitting 15-footers and making smart decisions in the short roll. If the offense catches up, you’re looking at a one-and-done.”

Indeed, Williams’ offensive game has shown signs of promise. His footwork is improving in the post, he’s growing more confident as a finisher around the rim, and he’s starting to expand his shooting range. What once was considered a raw area is now becoming a strength, or at least a point of serious intrigue for college coaches.

That’s music to the ears of Jon Scheyer and the Duke staff.

In his first three years at the helm, Scheyer has proven he can maximize the talent of mobile big men. Whether it was the versatile skill set of Kyle Filipowski or the development of Dereck Lively into a defensive anchor and lottery pick, Scheyer has shown he knows how to build around size and mobility. Williams fits that mold.

Still, it’s early. Very early.

The 2026 class is still over a year away from signing, and Williams hasn’t taken any official visits or made any public statements about favorites or timelines. His recruitment is in the exploratory phase  with conversations, campus visits, and workouts still ahead. As much as he likes Duke now, things can always shift as more offers roll in and relationships develop.

That said, the early momentum is clearly with the Blue Devils.

They were one of the first power programs to extend an offer. Scheyer made a strong impression by calling Williams’ father first  a move that didn’t go unnoticed. And for a kid who says he was “rooting for Duke” all of last season, that emotional connection could make a big difference down the line.

The next few months will be crucial as Williams’ schedule likely fills with official visits and media attention. Coaches will want to see how he continues to develop offensively, and how he holds up against top-tier competition during the fall and winter. If the offensive tools continue to emerge, and the defensive instincts sharpen even further, he could easily end up as a top-five prospect in the class.

For now, though, one thing is certain: Cameron Williams is a name every college basketball fan should get familiar with  especially those in Durham.