Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball Adds 23-Year-Old Forward Via Transfer Portal

New Duke basketball talent Mason Gillis is only a few months younger than Zion Williamson.

Matt Giles

Duke basketball transfer commit Mason Gillis
Duke basketball transfer commit Mason Gillis / Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY
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By the time Duke basketball begins ACC play next season, Mason Gillis will be 24 years old. The veteran forward out of Purdue is about 3.5 years older than the Blue Devils' oldest returning player, junior-to-be guard Tyrese Proctor.

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Also, note that Gillis, who redshirted his first year at Purdue before averaging over 20 minutes per game in each of the past four seasons, has experienced something nobody else on the 2023-24 Duke roster has done: playing for a national championship.

So, with his considerable experience in mind and the fact that the Blue Devils lost two quality forwards to the transfer portal in sophomore Mark Mitchell and freshman Sean Stewart, it's easy to see why head coach Jon Scheyer and his crew were keen on landing a commitment from the graduate bruiser.

And they did precisely that on Monday afternoon, as Gillis announced that he is now set to spend his final college campaign in Durham.

The 6-foot-6, 225-pound Indiana native joins former two-year Syracuse forward Maliq Brown, an All-ACC defender who will arrive at Duke with two years of eligibility remaining, as the only two confirmed transfer additions for the Blue Devils thus far in the current cycle.

Mason Gillis, sitting No. 73 overall on the 247Sports transfer rankings, didn't put up huge numbers for the Boilermakers this past season, averaging only 6.5 points and 3.9 rebounds in 21.1 minutes per game. However, his efforts, including a 46.8 shooting percentage beyond the arc on 3.2 attempts per outing, were impressive enough to become the Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year, suggesting he's willing to serve in a reserve role for a title contender.

Duke basketball now has three open scholarships for its 2024-25 roster. As things stand, the Blue Devils will welcome a six-deep recruiting haul, ranking No. 1 in the country, to join Mason Gillis, Maliq Brown, Tyrese Proctor, and returning sophomore guard Caleb Foster for Jon Scheyer's third season at the helm.

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI for more Duke basketball news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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