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Kennard: I felt it

The Duke Blue Devils got the week off to a good start Monday when five-star guard Luke Kennard offered his verbal commitment to Mike Krzyzewski.
Kennard, who chose Duke over Kentucky, selected the Blue Devils based on the program's culture and the overall fit.
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"When I went down there on my official visit, I kind of just felt it," Kennard said. "I felt it in my heart. I had a peace about my decision. Being around Coach K and the players, how the program was ran, you could tell it was a really special place. I could see myself fitting in there."
The 6-foot-5, 180-pound scorer was recently in Durham for his official visit, and while he was high on the Blue Devils prior to the trip, it was his time spent with the team that helped Duke overtake Kentucky for his pledge.
"Honestly, it was pretty even," he said of Duke and Kentucky's stance with him. "Once I went down there, got a feel for campus, all the students, the team, Coach K and his staff, I just felt it. I really did. It's a big stage, but it's a small hometown feel and that's what I love about it.
Kennard, who hails from Franklin, Ohio, was considered a Kentucky lean by many for quite some time, but the overall system that Duke brings to the table seemed to fit his individual skill-set than that of the Wildcats.
The junior also spoke to that notion.
"Coach K really went into detail about that," Kennard said of how he would be used. "He said putting me at a certain position wouldn't be doing me a favor. He said I'm a playmaker, I'll be playing everywhere. I could really see that when I went on my official visit and watched them play."
Kennard, who is also a football standpoint in Franklin, Ohio, said that as of right now he plans to play his final season of high school.
That, however, has not been set in stone. He will likely talk that over with his family and, of course, Krzyzewski.
"It hasn't been decided yet. I'll still have to think about it. Right now I plan on playing, we'll see how it goes."
The nation's No. 16 overall player becomes the first to commit to Duke in the 2015 class, however, the Blue Devils are hoping for yet another addition in the coming months, as Chase Jeter looks to end his recruitment sooner rather than later.
T.J. Walker contributed to this story.
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