Duke Basketball Now Has Four Projected First-Round Draft Picks

Duke basketball junior guard Tyrese Proctor has joined three Blue Devil rookies among one expert's predicted top 30.
Duke basketball players Tyrese Proctor and Cooper Flagg
Duke basketball players Tyrese Proctor and Cooper Flagg / Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
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Across the first month or so of this season, three Duke basketball talents, all of the freshman variety, appeared in the first round of CBS Sports college hoops insider Kyle Boone's 2025 mock drafts.

ALSO READ: Career Night for Duke One-And-Done Jalen Johnson in NBA

Now, add third-year Blue Devil starter Tyrese Proctor to that list. The 20-year-old junior rose from the second round to No. 30 overall as of Boone's latest update.

"Armed with an improved jumper and better consistency as a finisher, Proctor has played his way back into the first round mix after failing to live up to lofty expectations the last two seasons," Boone wrote about the 6-foot-6, 183-pound guard from Sydney, Australia, currently averaging a career-high 11.3 points and 3.6 rebounds per outing while shooting a career-best 41.7 percent beyond the arc.

The three Duke basketball rookies sitting in the first round of Boone's mock draft — not to mention seemingly every other one out there — are guard/forward Cooper Flagg at No. 1, guard/forward Kon Knueppel at No. 10, and center Khaman Maluach at No. 24.

Proctor, Flagg, Knueppel, Maluach, and the rest of Jon Scheyer's No. 4-ranked Blue Devils (10-2, 2-0 ACC) have won six straight games are now preparing to host the Virginia Tech Hokies (5-7, 0-1 ACC) in Cameron Indoor Stadium at 4:30 p.m. ET Tuesday (ACC Network).

ALSO READ: Five-Star Blue Devil Target Soaring at Prep Showcase in Raleigh

Stay tuned to Duke Blue Devils 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.