Blue Devil Country

Two major Duke basketball player decisions remain

More big Duke basketball news is coming, maybe wrapping up later this week.

Matt Giles

Two major Duke basketball player decisions remain
Two major Duke basketball player decisions remain /
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Freshman guard Tyrese Proctor got the stay-or-go ball rolling in Durham last week by revealing his decision to become a Duke basketball sophomore. Two days later, freshman forward Dariq Whitehead declared for the 2023 NBA Draft. One day after that, freshman forward Mark Mitchell joined Proctor's club by announcing his return.

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Skip ahead to this week. On Tuesday afternoon, freshman center Dereck Lively II followed Whitehead's path by turning pro.

Notice a pattern? One of them stays. One goes. Another one stays. Another one goes.

Now, folks are waiting on word from two more members of the 2022-23 Duke basketball team's regular rotation with eligibility remaining: junior guard Jeremy Roach and freshman forward Kyle Filipowski.

With the above pattern in mind, many fans are hoping to see Filipowski be the next Blue Devil to announce his plan, for he seems the most likely of the two to return to Durham.

Sure, some recent chatter points to uncertainty from the Roach camp. Nevertheless, it sounds like he's still more likely to leave, as the program's backcourt appears loaded already without him.

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Meanwhile, several national writers have published way-too-early top 25 rankings for the 2023-24 season — most place the Blue Devils among the top five — without putting Filipowski on the projected Duke basketball roster. That roster includes five incoming five-star recruits and at least two returning starters in Proctor and Mitchell.

However, ever since the Blue Devils' season ended at the hands of Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament's Round of 32, the rumor mill has suggested that Filipowski, the ACC Rookie of the Year and a projected first-round draft pick should he bolt, may well stick around in college for another year.

Chances are both Kyle Filipowski and Jeremy Roach will reveal their decisions at some point this week, possibly with one of the two doing so as early as Wednesday. But it's worth noting that players have until April 23 to declare for this year's NBA Draft.

The prediction here, at least for now, is Filipowski announces his return and that Roach decides to leave.

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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