Five-star Duke basketball freshman to wear retired jersey number

Wearing No. 25 for Duke once equated to 25 points per game.
Duke basketball legend Art Heyman (Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports)

For the second time in six seasons, a heralded Duke basketball newcomer will play in one of the program's 13 retired jersey numbers.

In 2017-18, five-star big man Marvin Bagley III received permission from late-1980s Duke great Danny Ferry to wear his No. 35 as a Blue Devil.

Skip ahead to Tuesday. The program revealed that five-star combo forward Mark Mitchell will sport No. 25, which the now-late Art Heyman made famous in Durham during the early 1960s while averaging 25.1 points and 10.9 rebounds across three seasons on the varsity squad.

ALSO READ: 18 recruiting prizes under head coach Jon Scheyer

Perhaps one of Heyman's relatives gave Mitchell the go-ahead. Or maybe not. Either way, it is what it is.

Every Duke basketball jersey number next season

Duke's reloaded roster consists of 12 scholarship talents, including only two from last season's bunch, plus three walk-ons.

Here are the seven freshmen's jersey numbers:

  • 0 - Dariq Whitehead
  • 1 - Dereck Lively II
  • 5 - Tyrese Proctor
  • 14 - Jaden Schutt
  • 21 - Christian Reeves
  • 25 - Mark Mitchell
  • 30 - Kyle Filipowski

Two sophomores:

  • 2 - Jaylen Blakes
  • 52 - Stanley Borden

Two juniors:

  • 3 - Jeremy Roach
  • 55 - Spencer Hubbard

And the four graduate students:

  • 12 - Kale Catchings
  • 13 - Jacob Grandison
  • 15 - Ryan Young
  • 41 - Max Johns

The Blue Devils begin their 2022-23 campaign — and Jon Scheyer's tenure as Duke's first new head coach in more than four decades — at home on Nov. 7 against Jacksonville.

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country for daily Duke basketball content.


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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.