Just six days after Final Four Most Outstanding Player Tyus Jones announced his decision to leave for the NBA, head coach Mike Krzyzewski and company have filled the void left by Jones and senior Quinn Cook at the point guard position.
Five-star point guard Derryck Thornton has reclassified to the Class of 2015 and committed to the Blue Devils, multiple sources reported Tuesday afternoon.
The commitment comes after Krzyzewski and his staff visited Thornton in Las Vegas Monday evening and pitched the dynamic point guard on becoming Duke's next floor general. The pitch must have been persuasive, as the No. 2 ranked point guard in the Class of 2016—according to 24/7 Sports—chose to reclassify just hours later and is still expected to be a top-15 recruit in the Class of 2015.
The 6-foot-1 floor general—who attends Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nev.—was also being heavily pursued by Louisville and head coach Rick Pitino. Rumors of Thornton reclassifying had been swirling around the high school junior for months. Jones' decision to leave Durham for the NBA after one season opened up yet another spot in a sparse Duke backcourt. With Thornton committed, the point guard position has swung from being a key to this year's national championship to a glaring weakness and now back to a strength, all in the span of 15 days.
Thornton's explosive athleticsm will provide a change of pace for Krzyzewski alongside rising junior Matt Jones and rising sophomore Grayson Allen.
Thornton is the fifth Blue Devil commit in the Class of 2015, joining forward Chase Jeter, guard Luke Kennard, center Antonio Vrankovic and walk-on Justin Robinson. Duke is also favored to land five-star wing Brandon Ingram in the coming days and will meet with the 6-foot-8 swingman Tuesday.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.