It’s just not as fun to watch a basketball game if you don’t know the players on the floor.
But don’t worry, we’ve got a preview of every Blue Devil right here for you. This year’s roster has tremendous potential, and with the combination of seasoned veterans and talented freshmen, head coach Mike Krzyzewski has plenty of room to tinker around and find the winning formula.
Duke’s headliner is freshman Paolo Banchero, who just may take home the Naismith Award. Fellow first-year AJ Griffin has elite athleticism and lottery potential of his own while newcomer Trevor Keels comes in with sharpshooting abilities and can score from all three levels. In addition, guard Jaylen Blakes plays hard-nosed defense and impressed in the exhibition game, so he may prove to be a bigger piece to this roster than some thought over the summer.
For the returning Blue Devils, Jeremy Roach serves as the floor general of this year’s team. Junior Wendell Moore Jr., comes back too, and he has the ability to stuff the stat sheet in every category. Moore is a captain this year alongside senior Joey Baker, whose specialist role on this year’s team could be the key to making this squad elite. And Mark Williams might be the most exciting storyline of the season after his late-season tear during the 2021 ACC tournament.
Duke welcomed two transfers this offseason, both big men Theo John and Bates Jones. John plays a more traditional brand of basketball on the interior, while Jones can space the floor and pull from beyond the arc.
Keenan Worthington, Michael Savarino, Spencer Hubbard and Stanley Borden round out the roster and although none of them will log notable minutes, each have a role to do during practice and on the bench in games.
Editor's note: This article is one of many in The Chronicle's men's basketball season preview. Find the rest here.
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