5-star recruits Harry Giles and Jayson Tatum mull committing to same program

The nation's top-ranked basketball recruits for 2016 are considering committing as a package deal in hopes of emulating the success enjoyed by friends Tyus Jones and Jahlil Okafor at Duke last season, according to multiple reports.

Power forward Harry Giles and small forward Jayson Tatum, ranked No. 1 and 2 in their class respectively by ESPN, have both spoken publicly about potentially joining the same program.

The three schools that both are reportedly considering are Duke, Kentucky, and North Carolina.

"I'd love to play together, but we have to do what's right for both of us," Giles said, according to Jeff Eisenberg of Yahoo Sports. "(The Okafor-Jones package deal) was a little different because they committed at the same time. If we go to the same school we're not going to commit at the same time."

According to reports, Tatum said he intends to commit "very soon," whereas Giles is still mulling eight different programs and plans on taking his time with his decision.

Duke is regarded as the favorite to win the 6-foot-8 Tatum.

Close friends Jones and Okafor helped lead the Blue Devils to the NCAA championship last season.

However, Tatum maintains that he is seriously considering pledging to his hometown school of Saint Louis, despite the Billikens' relative lack of stature.

"It's definitely real," he said of his interest. "A lot of people don't expect them to be on my list, but I love my hometown, I love the school, I love the players, the program, the people that work there, the atmosphere. I've visited the school numerous times and it's still a strong possibility for me."