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Duke CBB Transfer TJ Power Commits to Virginia; 5-Star PF Prospect in 2023 Class

Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTX.com LogoFeatured Columnist IVMay 6, 2024

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 21: TJ Power #12 of the Duke Blue Devils warms up during a practice day ahead of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Barclays Center on March 21, 2024 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Elsa/Getty Images

Former Duke forward TJ Power announced in an Instagram post on Monday that he was transferring to Virginia.

"New Chapter," he wrote. "Let's get to work!! Go Hoos."

TJ Power @TJPower14

LETS DO IT <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoHoos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoHoos</a> <a href="https://t.co/zhSKbH2nvy">pic.twitter.com/zhSKbH2nvy</a>

Jeff Goodman @GoodmanHoops

Duke transfer TJ Power is headed to Virginia, he announced. <br><br>Power is a former Top 50 recruit coming out of high school, but played sparingly in his freshman season in Durham.

Power announced two weeks ago that he would be leaving the Blue Devils, writing it was "time to do what is best for me and with that being said I will be entering my name into the transfer portal."

Power averaged just 2.1 points in 6.7 minutes per game this past season, appearing in 26 overall contests. He did not see the court in the team's Sweet 16 win over Houston or Elite Eight loss against NC State.

He previously was a 5-star recruit in the Class of 2023, per 247Sports' Composite Rankings, coming in as the No. 17 overall player, the No. 4 power forward and the No. 1 player from the state of Massachusetts.

Power's ability to play as a stretch-4, given his perimeter shooting ability (35.7 percent as a freshman), made him one of the top recruits in the country.

He never quite found a regular role or spot in the rotation at Duke, however, and with the Blue Devils already bringing aboard five 5-star recruits in the Class of 2024—the top-rated group by 247Sports' Composite Rankings—he likely wouldn't have found one next season either.

At Virginia, he'll have a second chance. The Cavaliers rank a more modest 51st in the recruiting rankings and Power is now the second incoming transfer, joining combo guard Jalen Warley.

Preston Willett @PrestonWillett

Of note, UVA has not had a consensus 5-star prospect under Bennett.<br><br>TJ Power: 247 (5-star), Rivals (5), ESPN (4)<br>Mamadi Diakite: 247 (5), Rivals (4), ESPN (4)<br>Austin Nichols: Rivals (5), ESPN (5), 247 (4) <a href="https://t.co/nfDQyPUX2e">https://t.co/nfDQyPUX2e</a>

Should he find a more regular role with the Cavaliers, it will add a bit more spice to the ACC rivalry between the teams next season. The Blue Devils won the only matchup between the teams a season ago.