Mock Draft Sees Four Duke Basketball One-And-Dones

The 2024-25 Blue Devils could tie the Duke basketball record for the most departures by rookies to the pro ranks.
Duke basketball center Khaman Maluach
Duke basketball center Khaman Maluach / Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images
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The latest two-round mock draft courtesy of NBA Draft On SI includes four Duke basketball players. All four are first-year collegians.

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Blue Devil phenom Cooper Flagg appears at No. 1, followed by fellow guard/forward Kon Knueppel at No. 9, center Khaman Maluach at No. 14, and a late second-rounder in reserve guard/forward Isaiah Evans at No. 56 overall. Each was a five-star recruit.

If Flagg, Knueppel, Maluach, and Evans all become Duke basketball one-and-dones, that would mark one more than the combined count between the first two seasons of the Jon Scheyer era.

Scheyer's 2022-23 Blue Devils saw two freshman talents bolt for the NBA in center Dereck Lively II (drafted No. 12 overall) and forward Dariq Whitehead (No. 22). And sharpshooting guard Jared McCain (No. 16) was the only rookie in Durham who entered the pro ranks following last season.

Four also happens to be the most one-and-dones from any Duke basketball team in history.

Duke reached that number only once, as guard Trevon Duval (undrafted), guard Gary Trent Jr. (No. 37), forward Wendell Carter Jr. (No. 7), and forward Marvin Bagley III (No. 2) turned pro after each averaged double-digit points for now-retired Hall of Famer Mike Krzyzewski's 2017-18 Blue Devil squad, which finished with a 29-8 overall record and reached the Elite Eight before losing to Kansas.

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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.