Blue Devil Country

Ex-Duke Basketball Player Now Dominant for 12th-Ranked Team

Duke basketball did not get to enjoy the developed version of Henry Coleman III.

Matt Giles

Former Duke basketball forward Henry Coleman III (Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports)
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As a Duke basketball forward in 2020-21, Henry Coleman III averaged only 1.1 points and 1.4 rebounds in 5.0 minutes per game. The former four-star recruit from Richmond, Va., was notably brawny for a freshman. But his skills were too raw to earn a spot in the regular rotation for a Blue Devil squad that finished 13-11 and failed to reach the NCAA Tournament.

Three years later, Coleman looks like an emerging premier SEC force for a surging, undefeated Texas A&M team.

In the 12th-ranked Aggies' 89-77 first-round win over previously unbeaten Penn State at the ESPN Events Invitational in Kissimmee, Fla., on Thanksgiving Day, the 6-foot-8, 245-pound bouncy bruiser tallied a game-high 24 points. The senior shot 8-for-11 from the field and 8-for-10 at the foul line, displaying his soft touch around the rim time and again.

He added six rebounds, one assist, and one steal across his team-high 33 minutes.

Henry Coleman III, who transferred to Texas A&M following his lone Duke basketball campaign under now-retired legend Mike Krzyzewski, has averaged 15.4 points and 10.0 rebounds per outing this season while shooting an absurd 71.1 percent from the field and 85.2 percent at the charity stripe.

Through the 5-0 start, including wins at Ohio State and SMU, he's committed only nine fouls and three turnovers.

And he's already a one-time SEC Player of the Week:

The Aggies next face either Florida Atlantic or Butler on Friday before another game in Kissimmee on Saturday.

Then, Coleman will see a foe from his Blue Devil year when Texas A&M travels to Charlottesville for their ACC/SEC Challenge matchup against Virginia on Wednesday night.

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Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com 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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