Blue Devil Country

Frontrunners Emerge for Outbound Duke Basketball Transfer Jeremy Roach

Shortly after Duke basketball alum Jeremy Roach announced his next step, there was reported interest from a few programs.

Matt Giles

Duke basketball guard Jeremy Roach
Duke basketball guard Jeremy Roach / Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
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On Tuesday night, four-year Duke basketball guard Jeremy Roach revealed on social media that he is declaring for the 2024 NBA Draft but maintaining his college eligibility throughout the process while entering his name into the transfer portal. He became the fifth Blue Devil to enter the portal this month.

RELATED: Blue Devils Eye Premier 3-Point Shooter Koby Brea in Transfer Portal

Less than two hours later, national hoops insider Adam Zagoria reported three early favorites to potentially serve as Roach's final college stop: Arkansas, Kentucky, and St. John's.

One of those schools stands out from the others in terms of producing an intriguing story for Duke basketball fans to watch unfold. Yes, if the 22-year-old native of Leesburg, Va., winds up using his fifth year of eligibility as a graduate transfer and decides to play for new Kentucky head coach Mark Pope, he would be with the currently reloading Wildcats for their Champions Classic showdown against Jon Scheyer's Blue Devils in Atlanta on Nov. 12.

In other words, Jeremy Roach would face his alma mater less than a week into the regular season, playing for what is arguably Duke's primary nemesis outside of the ACC.

For now, though, the 247Sports Crystal Ball sits empty for the Third Team All-ACC selection, who averaged 14.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists across his 35 appearances for the Blue Devils as a senior. And as mentioned above, there's no guarantee yet that he will spend another year at the collegiate level, although his low draft stock suggests that may be his most sensible option.

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country 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.

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