Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball: Huge Graduate Transfer Hears From Blue Devils

It appears the Duke basketball staff is seeking a veteran presence in the paint.

Matt Giles

Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer
Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer and his gang will welcome two five-star big men to Durham this summer in Khaman Maluach and Patrick Ngongba II. That said, given the expired eligibility of Ryan Young and expected early departure of Kyle Filipowski — not to mention the possibility of a few more undergraduate forwards taking their talents elsewhere — it seems the Blue Devils should be on the lookout for some more experience down low.

RELATED: Blue Devils Contact One Smooth Sharpshooter in Transfer Portal

After all, Ngongba only recently turned 18 years old, and Maluach won't celebrate that birthday until September.

On that note, it makes sense that Duke has recently been in contact with one of the premier big men in the transfer portal, former Drexel bruiser Amari Williams, On3's Joe Tipton reported on Monday.

The 6-foot-10, 265-pound center, a 22-year-old and three-time CAA Defensive Player of the Year boasting a 7-foot-5 wingspan, has already played four seasons for the Dragons. But he has the option to play one more due to the NCAA not counting the truncated 2020-21 season (his freshman campaign) against anyone's eligibility.

Thus far, Williams has scheduled official visits to St. John's, Indiana, Creighton, and Florida. Assuming the Blue Devils' interest persists, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the England native add Duke to that list.

As a senior this past season for a Drexel squad that finished 20-12 overall and 13-5 in conference play, the durable Amari Williams was on the floor as a starter in every contest. He averaged 12.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting 51.7 percent from the field.

Williams is among a handful of players in this year's transfer portal who have reported contact from the Duke basketball coaches. However, he and 6-foot-10 Harvard forward Justice Ajogbor are the only two big men in that bunch.

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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