Blue Devil Country

Duke basketball: Trevor Keels taking informed gamble

Trevor Keels is now embarking on a professional career.

Matt Giles

Duke basketball guard Trevor Keels (Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports)

After taking his time to gain feedback and weigh options, Trevor Keels revealed late Wednesday night that he is remaining in the 2022 NBA Draft. News from the 18-year-old shooting guard, now officially yet another Duke basketball one-and-done, popped up less than two hours before the 11:59 p.m. ET deadline to withdraw.

Earlier in the evening, Stadium insider Jeff Goodman reported that Keels was still "torn" about the decision. But his afternoon workout for the Charlotte Hornets left many to believe his Blue Devil days were no longer.

Had the former five-star recruit opted for another season in Durham, he would have been Duke's top returning scorer after averaging 11.2 points per game as a freshman. And chances are he would have served as a co-captain and backcourt starter alongside his former high school teammate, Jeremy Roach.

Instead, despite having one of the slowest shuttle runs and highest body fat percentages at the NBA Draft Combine in May, Keels must like his odds to hear his name in the first round and thereby secure a guaranteed contract.

Although there are clear concerns, including his 31.2 shooting percentage from downtown last season, there's no doubt that Keels is a sly defender and crafty scorer in traffic. He appears late in the first round or early in the second on most mock drafts.

A Trevor Keels shoutout to Duke basketball supporters

Again, it seems Trevor Keels' choice was far from easy. After all, the Maryland native was a gritty competitor for the Blue Devils and never made his love for the program a secret, even as a kid who frequently donned Duke gear.

A few hours after letting folks know his plans, Keels tweeted a heartfelt message to Blue Devil fans:

With Keels no longer in the equation for Duke, first-year head coach Jon Scheyer and his gang appear to be surveying the quickly dwindling transfer portal in hopes of finding another potent perimeter weapon.

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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