Duke basketball 2015-16 player review: Chase Jeter

Chase Jeter

• Year: Freshman
• Height: 6-foot-10
• Position: Center
• This year’s stat line: 1.9 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 0.3 BPG
• The Blue Zone’s predicted stat line: 6.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.5 BPG

Season breakdown:

Late in the first half of Duke’s season-ending loss to Oregon in the Sweet 16, Jeter received a pass on the block, pump-faked to draw his defender into the air and stepped toward the basket to complete an impressive up-and-under move, but badly missed the open layup off the backboard. The play was a microcosm of Jeter’s season, which featured flashes of potential that were overshadowed by a rocky adjustment to the speed of the college game.

Jeter appeared in 32 of the Blue Devils’ 36 games, helping to spark a late first-half run against Georgetown with four points in five minutes before scoring seven points and pulling down six boards—both career-highs—in Duke’s ACC tournament loss to Notre Dame March 10.

The Las Vegas native provided energy off the bench to take several charges throughout the year, but there was plenty of room for improvement. He was often a step too slow on defense, committing nearly two fouls per game in just 7.9 minutes per contest, and let numerous passes slip through his hands when he had chances to score in the post.

Results relative to expectations:

Jeter was ESPN’s No. 11 recruit in the 2015 class and may have felt the weight of lofty expectations from a fan base spoiled by the immediate readiness of freshmen Jahlil Okafor, Tyus Jones and Justise Winslow during the Blue Devils’ 2014-15 championship run. It was immediately apparent that Jeter’s transition to college basketball would not be so seamless, but he showed signs of improvement after being thrust into a bigger role when senior forward Amile Jefferson suffered a season-ending foot fracture in December. Jeter will need to take a big step forward in the offseason to become a trusted contributor on next year’s team.