The Duke Blue Devils are sending another player to the pros in the person ofLuke Kennard. What will Duke look like next year?
The Duke Blue Devils lost another of this year’s puzzle that never quite got solved as unanimous 1stteam ACC selection Luke Kennard declared for the NBA Draft and intends to sign with an agent according to theAssociated Press. Kennard is ranked as a pick in the late lottery to early twenties byNBADraft.netafter establishing himself as Duke’s key scorer in his second season.
So Duke has now lost another player to mean that a rebuild is on the way.Amile JeffersonandMatt Jonesgraduated. FreshmenHarry GilesandJayson Tatumdeclared for the draft.Chase Jetertransferred out. So didSean Obi. Now Kennard too is leaving- for the Draft.
The next person to focus on is Duke guardGrayson Allen. Allen did not have the best year last year though he was still really productive at times. Injuries slowed him a little bit and took his draft stock down a bit with him. Allen also had to play out of position much of the time at point guard. Allen could be looking at coming back as a senior if he only rates as a second round pick. He should probably explore the draft process anyway just to get feedback before returning to Duke.
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That brings us to the guys actually playing for Duke next year.Frank JacksonandMarques Boldenwill be back for their sophomore seasons. Jackson improved at the end of the year while Bolden was limited by injuries the whole year. He should gets lots of time.
Duke may also give more time to guys who sat the Duke bench with Bolden. That might include forwardJavin DeLaurier, wingJustin Robinson, forwardJack White, or centerAntonio Vrankovic.
The new car smell, however, belongs to the incoming freshman class. They include number 3 centerWendell Carter, number two shooting guardGary Trent, Jr, and number 17 shooting guard Alex O’Connell. Clearly Duke is ready if Allen and Kennard decide not to return.
Next: Harry Giles Declares for the Draft
A Duke lineup could be Jackson-Allen-Trent-Carter-Bolden if things play for the best. If not, replace Allen with O’Connell and we get a very talented but very young Duke starting five of sophomores and freshmen.
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