Blue Devil Country

Former Duke Basketball Big Man Gets Another NBA Opportunity

Duke basketball's Marques Bolden and Grayson Allen are set to reunite again, albeit likely for only a few weeks next month.

Matt Giles

Former Duke Basketball Big Man Gets Another NBA Opportunity
Former Duke Basketball Big Man Gets Another NBA Opportunity /
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Marques Bolden has played only seven NBA games and has not been in the league on a regular-season contract since early in the Cleveland Cavaliers' 2020-21 campaign when the Duke basketball talent was briefly on a two-way deal.

But the 6-foot-10, 250-pound center, who went undrafted in 2019 following his three-year Blue Devil career, has been a regular in training camps and preseason action.

That should be the case again. On Tuesday, The Athletic's Eric Nehm reported that Bolden agreed to a training camp deal with the Milwaukee Bucks.

In September 2021, the Utah Jazz snagged Bolden for camp. They waived him a few weeks later, days before their regular season began.

Then last year was a similar story for the former five-star McDonald's All-American out of DeSoto, Texas, but with the Bucks.

RELATED: List of Duke's All-Time McDonald's All-Americans

So his latest deal marks a second straight early October opportunity with the same team. Moreover, this year's camp, beginning on Oct. 3, is another chance to reunite with third-year Bucks guard Grayson Allen, Bolden's Duke basketball teammate for two seasons (2016-17, 2017-18).

Considering Marques Bolden is only 25 years old, perhaps still a few years away from what should be his athletic prime, don't entirely rule out the possibility he'll end up with well more than seven NBA games for his career by the time it's all said and done.

RELATED: List of Every Former Blue Devil Currently in the NBA

However, he probably won't be on Milwaukee's initial 2023-24 roster for the regular season, for it appears complete. That said, injuries to others or other issues could lead to moves where Bolden, likely again to join the Wisconsin Herd in the G League, receives a 10-day contract.

The Bucks' preseason schedule begins at home against the Chicago Bulls on Oct. 8.

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com 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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