We continue our recruit and return series with the Duke Blue Devils, whose season ended Sunday with a loss to South Carolina in the East Region. A look at what the 2017-18 season could hold:
Possible 2017-18 starting five
G: G: Gary Trent Jr. (freshman)
F: Wendell Carter (freshman)
Who is lost: There could be a mass exodus from Durham after the season. The only players guaranteed to leave are seniors Amile Jefferson and Matt Jones. Jefferson became a rock for Duke his last couple of years, both with his leadership and interior presence at both ends of the floor. Jones was considered the team’s best perimeter defender and was capable of knocking down timely perimeter jumpers. Then there are the likely lottery picks: Harry Giles and Jayson Tatum, the former No. 1 and No. 3 prospects in 2016, respectively. Giles was recovering from an injury throughout the season, while Tatum developed into one of the most dangerous scorers in the country. The two question marks are Grayson Allen and Luke Kennard. Allen almost left after his sophomore season but returned to more tripping-related drama. Kennard had a breakout season as a sophomore, and his stock might be at its highest point. Mike Krzyzewski could really use one of those two back in Durham next season.
Who is added: Duke has a top-five recruiting class already -- and is still involved with the top-three uncommitted prospects in 2017. No. 1 power forward Wendell Carter and No. 1 shooting guard Gary Trent Jr. are signed, and both should start immediately next season. Carter is an elite low-post prospect who will push for double-doubles on a nightly basis, while Trent is a big-time scorer who can get his shot against most defenders. ESPN 100 wing Alex O’Connell had a strong summer last July and should provide depth. Krzyzewski is still in pursuit of Trevon Duval (No. 4), Mohamed Bamba (No. 5) and Kevin Knox (No. 7). They have their best chance at Duval and Knox. Either one -- and perhaps both -- would start right away.
What it means for next season: If all the aforementioned names depart, only one of Duke’s top seven will return: Frank Jackson. The former five-star prospect never truly developed into the Blue Devils’ starting point guard, as it looked like he might have to do in the preseason, but he did show why he was a sought-after recruit. He will undoubtedly take on a bigger role as a sophomore. The key could be the development of Marques Bolden. One of the best bigs from the 2016 class, Bolden had some early injuries and never got on track. He’s an NBA prospect and will be motivated as a sophomore. Chase Jeter and Javin DeLaurier could see bigger roles if the Blue Devils strike out on their remaining recruiting targets.
Trending: Level. Given that Duke had arguably the most-talented roster in college basketball this past season, it’s hard to go up. The Blue Devils could hold that honor again if either Allen or Kennard return and they land Duval and Knox. There are plenty of questions left to be answered.