Reserve guard Jay Heaps decided in late December to leave the men's basketball team and head to Holland to begin a professional career in soccer. Heaps graduated a semester early last month.
The 5-foot-9 native of Longmeadow, Mass., appeared in 30 games during his college career, but was better known as a star for the men's soccer team. He ranks third all-time on the Duke list in career goals scored and is tied for second in overall points. This past season he was named the Missouri Athletic Club's National Player of the Year.
Heaps concluded his Duke career against Kentucky Dec. 22.
"It's been a wonderful four years," he said after his last home game Dec. 20. "I haven't always been [in the game], but I've felt a part of every win. I don't want to leave, but I think this is the time [to play soccer]. I've graduated."
To replace Heaps, head coach Mike Krzyzewski added guards D. Bryant and Ryan Caldbeck as walk-ons. Caldbeck, who had practiced with the team since the start of the season, joins his brother, Justin, to form the second brother tandem in Duke basketball history.
Bryant has been practicing with the basketball team since the start of December. He was the football team's scout team quarterback this past fall and said he will not miss a day of spring practice, when he is expected to challenge for the starting quarterback position.
"Straight from the basketball court to the football field," Bryant said. "I'll go right from one to the other and be ready for football [in the spring]."
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