Development can happen during the year, but the Blue Devils are proving that even more can happen in the offseason.
Duke’s dominating 84-49 victory under the lights of Cameron Indoor Stadium showcased the team’s development during the offseason. Between sophomore Jordan Wood’s game-high 17 points and Vanessa de Jesus’ comeback, everyone watching Thursday evening was reminded that for the Blue Devils, growth isn’t just part of the game — it’s the heartbeat between seasons.
Wood’s transformation this season has exemplified just that. In Duke’s season opener against Radford, the sophomore returned to the court an entirely different player. The Chicago native played 23 minutes and tallied 13 points — a stark contrast to the 19 points Wood scored during the entirety of last season. It was a standout game that caught the attention of many, including head coach Kara Lawson, who hoped to see her play continue to develop.
“Let's hope this isn't Halley’s Comet. Does this happen for her once every 86 years, or does it happen for her twice a week?” Lawson said Nov. 5.
Against Dayton, Wood proved she is no Halley’s Comet — she’s a shining star. The sophomore finished as Duke’s leading scorer, tallying 17 points, three rebounds, three steals and a block onto her stellar stat line. To start the second quarter, Wood shined. With 9:21 on the clock, she found a sweet spot in the paint to launch a jumper. About a minute later, the sophomore put the Blue Devils ahead by 10 points, 24-14, as she sank a three on instinct.
So, while many collegiate players in Wood’s position — averaging just 4.7 minutes per game as a freshman — might have lost confidence or even transferred, she chose to stay patient. That has paid off, evident in her significant increase in playing time and a confidence that has transformed her.
“Woody’s grown in every way … this fall something clicked,” Lawson said. “Her confidence is at an all time high … She's become so much more focused, so much more disciplined, so much more locked in and understanding the game. She's one of our best communicators and she's very intelligent.”
The sophomore wasn’t the only one to demonstrate growth in the offseason — so did graduate point guard Vanessa de Jesus. Despite suffering a season-ending knee injury last July that sidelined her for what would have been her senior season, the graduate proved she’s back and better than ever against Dayton.
One of six Blue Devils to score double-digits, de Jesus clinched 10 points and collected three rebounds. In the fourth quarter, the Valencia, Calif., native drove into the paint for a layup, increasing Duke’s lead to 32 points, 76-44. It was a performance reminiscent of her pre-injury self, and the Blue Devils were excited to see her return.
"It was good to see de Jesus back, and I know she's been back, but she hadn't played like herself yet. Tonight was the first night I thought she played like V — how we know V can play — and that was really good to see” Lawson said.
The Blue Devils' effort against the Flyers underscored the development across their entire roster. With every eligible player returning this season, it’s even more evident how transformative the offseason can be for a player. Patience and confidence characterize this team, and as Wood steps into a larger role, she embodies that growth.
“This is a player that didn't get a lot of minutes last year, so she's going to grow a lot in-season this year, because she's playing more too,” Lawson said. "How you get your best growth is like in the fire, in the game, and she's just growing right before our eyes every week.”
But Wood won’t be the only one experiencing growth in the heat of the game. These Blue Devils are built to evolve, whether in the offseason or on the court. For them, every moment is fuel for their relentless drive to improve — setting the stage for a season defined by growth.
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