Duke at the center of the discussion for Tyus Jones and Jahlil Okafor

The Blue Devils have long been considered the leaders in the Jahlil Okafor-Tyus Jones sweepstakes. But recent reports indicate that the rumor might be much closer to a reality.

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Okafor, a 6-foot-11 center ranked the No. 1 player in the Class of 2014 by ESPN, and Jones, a 6-foot-1 point guard ranked third, have made their intentions to play in college together very clear throughout their recruitment process. Their lists of schools are nearly identical and they are even taking their first official visit together to see Baylor in August.

In a report today from The Chicago Sun-Times, Okafor's AAU coach, Mike Irvin said he does not know where Okafor is leaning, but knows which college coaches spent the most time tracking Okafor throughout the July live evaluation period.

“[Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski] was at every game, he was the only head coach that was really following Jahlil all over the place,” Irvin said. “If [Cliff Alexander] was sitting out it would only be Coach K watching that game. In my mind Duke has a really good chance to land [Okafor]. Coach K has done a good job of recruiting him.”

Irvin went on to add that he believed Jones would be Duke bound. If Okafor decides to follow through on his pledge to play with Jones in college, his decision would theoretically be to follow him to Durham as well.

But in a report from The Chicago Sun-Times Thursday, Okafor's father, Chuck, contended that the duo had chosen no clear favorite yet and that the recruiting race was wide-open. He also said that although it is speculated the pair will make a public announcement in November, no timetable for a decision has been set.

“They have no idea where they are going,” Chuck Okafor said. “Duke has been doing a great job recruiting them, just like everyone else is. I don't know what Jahlil and Tyus are gonna do at this point, so for anyone else to say they do is far-fetched. They are still at a standstill.”