The Duke Blue Devils are going through a radical transformation ever since the NCAA season came to a close. Four starters have left Durham, with Kyle Filipowski and Jared McCain headed to the NBA, while Mark Mitchell and Jeremy Roach entered the transfer portal. Duke has one of the best recruiting classes in the country, headed by Cooper Flagg, but replacing all these departures will certainly be a challenge.
One of the biggest challenges will be in the backcourt. Tyrese Proctor and Caleb Foster are returning next season but the team needs to add a true point guard for depth and running the offense.
Considering that Duke has no point guards coming in as freshmen, they will have to return to the transfer portal to find their steady hand.
Fortunately for them, a perfect PG target just became available in the transfer portal.
Wisconsin G Chucky Hepburn is the Perfect Target for Duke
NEWS: Wisconsin guard Chucky Hepburn has entered the transfer portal, source told ESPN. Averaged 9.2 points and 3.9 assists this past season, averaged 12.2 points and shot 40.5% from 3-point range in 2022-23. Started 103 games over the past three seasons for Greg Gard.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) April 18, 2024
Chucky Hepburn has been the starting point guard for Wisconsin for the past three seasons. Having started in 103 games and playing over 32 minutes per game, Hepburn is the table-setter Duke needs on the offensive end.
One of the biggest weaknesses for the Blue Devils will be experience next season. It's hard to find a more veteran player than Hepburn in college basketball. He has been a team leader for a very good team under Greg Gard, making the Big Ten Tournament Final. Hepburn scored 22 points against Purdue in the semifinal and recorded a 20-5-5 against Illinois in the Final.
Wisconsin disappointed in the NCAA Tournament, losing to James Madison in the first round. This caused an exodus for the Badgers, who saw their two stars, Hepburn and AJ Storr enter the transfer portal. Hepburn finished the 2023-24 season with the averages of 9.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game and has one more year of eligibility.