Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball: One Possible Roster Move Remains

The 2023-24 Duke basketball team now feels like a lock for preseason No. 1.

Matt Giles

Duke Basketball: One Possible Roster Move Remains
Duke Basketball: One Possible Roster Move Remains /
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Duke basketball captain guard Jeremy Roach, who has played 95 games for the Blue Devils and drawn 75 starts, announced his return on Monday morning. He'll become the highest-ranked former recruit to stay four years in Durham since Ryan Kelly and Mason Plumlee were seniors in 2013.

So is next season's roster construction complete? Not so fast.

Eight players (four starters) from last season's squad will still be in town next season. Plus, the Blue Devils are adding four five-star freshmen to the equation.

Even so, one open scholarship spot remains (recent transfer addition Neal Begovich will likely be a walk-on). And Jon Scheyer and his staff will host former Kansas center Ernest Udeh Jr., a former McDonald's All-American, for his visit to Duke on Tuesday, according to a tweet from Cerebro Sports' Andrew Slater on Monday afternoon.

Udeh also plans to check out TCU and Kansas State in person. At least for now, though, he looks like the only Duke basketball transfer target.

RELATED: Two Duke Players Recruiting Big Transfer to Durham

The 6-foot-11, 250-pound big man averaged only 2.6 points, 1.8 boards, 0.7 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game for the Jayhawks last season. However, it's worth noting that he averaged only 8.3 minutes across his 30 appearances but was a regular contributor off the bench down the stretch for a Kansas team that finished No. 4 in the AP Top 25.

Furthermore, he recorded four blocks in Kansas' win over Duke at the Champions Classic in November.

In other words, Ernest Udeh Jr. has shown the potential to develop into a formidable force down low, especially on the defensive end, no matter where he ends up next.

If he chooses to become a Blue Devil, it's possible he could earn a starting nod at the five-spot, replacing the only outbound starter from last season in Dereck Lively II.

Or Scheyer could opt for a three-guard starting five. That lineup might include one of the two incoming freshman guards, Jared McCain and Caleb Foster, playing alongside Jeremy Roach and Tyrese Proctor, with Mark Mitchell and Kyle Filipowski starting at the four and five, respectively.

No matter how it shakes out from here, considering Roach's confirmed return, Duke basketball might now be guaranteed a No. 1 preseason ranking.

RELATED: Mackenzie Mgbako Is No Threat to Duke's Top Ranking

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.

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