Amidst an offseason of securing veteran presences in the transfer portal, Jon Scheyer has returned to the prospect recruiting trail.
Thursday morning, FC Barcelona center Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje announced on Instagram his commitment to continue his basketball career in the NCAA with the Blue Devils. The 7-foot center hails from St. Petersburg, Fla., but has grown up playing with Barcelona in Spain and was promoted to the senior team for the 2025-26 season.
Boumtje Boumtje chose Duke over remaining in Europe for additional time and high recruiting pressure from North Carolina and new head coach Michael Malone. Originally part of the 2027 recruiting class, the lefty has reclassified and will join the program this summer — alongside fellow recruits Cameron Williams, Deron Rippey Jr., Bryson Howard and Maxime Meyer. At just 16 years old, he will spend at least two seasons in college before being eligible for the NBA draft in 2028.
Playing 25 games on FC Barcelona’s under-22 squad this season, the center averaged 23.2 minutes per season while picking up 15.7 points and shooting 60.0% on two-point field goals. With a large frame, Boumtje Boumtje uses his size to dictate play, while still remaining agile to play in transition and on the perimeter.
The 16-year-old remains naturally unfinished as a player, but represents a raw talent with long-range upside. With the Blue Devils, Boumtje Boumtje adds depth to the frontcourt behind center Patrick Ngongba II and will likely compete with incoming fellow-center Maxime Meyer for minutes off the bench, should he forgo a redshirt year.