Ex-Duke Basketball Big Man Christian Reeves Now Enjoying Bigger Role

The 7-footer's Clemson stats are on par with his limited Duke basketball usage, but the minutes are more consistent and impactful.
Former Duke basketball center Christian Reeves
Former Duke basketball center Christian Reeves / Ken Ruinard - staff / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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Clemson head coach Brad Brownell employs a double-digit rotation, albeit with a few guys seeing just a handful of minutes or less in tightly contested games. One of those reserves receiving at least some playing time in every outing thus far for the No. 25-ranked Tigers (9-2, 1-0 ACC) is former two-year Duke basketball player Christian Reeves.

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The 7-foot-2, 253-pound redshirt sophomore, one of seven 2024-25 Blue Devils who entered the transfer portal in the spring and one of four who remained in the ACC, chips in by providing a breather or two per game for Clemson's formidable pair of frontcourt starters in seniors Ian Schieffelin and Viktor Lakhin.

Granted, Reeves is averaging only 1.5 points and 1.5 rebounds in 5.8 minutes per contest, not much of a bump from his playing time in 14 appearances across two seasons in Durham. However, at Duke, where the former three-star prep from Charlotte, N.C., missed most of his sophomore campaign with an ankle injury, the bulk of his minutes was of the mop-up variety late in lopsided Blue Devil victories.

With the Tigers, his playing time is undoubtedly a bit more meaningful.

In this week's AP Top 25 Poll, Clemson and the No. 5 Duke Blue Devils (8-2, 1-0 ACC) are the only two ranked squads from the conference.

They'll square off once in the regular season when Jon Scheyer's third Duke basketball squad travels to face Christian Reeves and Brad Brownell's 15th batch of Tigers in Littlejohn Coliseum on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 6 p.m. ET (ESPN).

ALSO READ: Fellow Blueblood Leapfrogs Blue Devil in Latest Poll

Stay tuned to Duke Blue Devils On SI for more updates on former Duke basketball talents and other Blue Devil 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.