Cameron Indoor Stadium will be without "'Dre-all-day" chants for the 2012-2013 season.
Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski confirmed at a press conference yesterday that Dawkins will redshirt his senior season at Duke, meaning he will not play and will retain the year of eligibility. The Chronicle reported the news on Twitter yesterday afternoon, from our account @dukebasketball.
"We're redshirting him," Krzyzewski. "It's a time for him to step away, and it's the right thing."
Reports first surfaced in April that Dawkins could transfer or redshirt, and this is the first time Krzyzewski has officially said that his rising senior guard will not play next season. Nothing about redshiritng is official, however--redshirt waivers are typically not given until after the season, so theoretically they could decide to play him anytime.
Upon committing to Duke in 2008, Dawkins was initially scheduled to join the Blue Devils in 2010. But, guard Elliot Williams transfered, and Dawkins then joined the team a year earlier than expected.
Dawkins averaged career highs in most categories last season, including points and minutes. He tallied 8.4 points per game in 22.4 minutes, nailing 2.0 3-pointers per contest.
But, those numbers did not meet expectations for many Duke fans and even the coaches at times, as Dawkins saw his numbers fluctuate significantly throughout the season. In the final five games of ACC play, including the ACC tournament, Dawkins played fewer than 20 minutes in each contest.
Dawkins is regarded as a strong shooter, but in need of improvement in other areas of his game in order to become more than a role player.
Assuming Dawkins does not play, Duke's backcourt will consist of Rasheed Sulaimon, Quinn Cook, Tyler Thornton and Seth Curry next season, with Alex Murphy and Amile Jefferson capable of playing small forward on the wing.
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