Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball One-And-Done Flexes in NBA Following Two-Year Hiatus

Duke basketball's Harry Giles is on a mission in NBA preseason action.

Matt Giles

Duke basketball center Harry Giles (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)
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Harry Giles drew a starting nod for the Brooklyn Nets in their 135-103 win over visiting Maccabi Ra'anana on Thursday night. In only 21 minutes on the floor, the former Duke basketball big man tallied a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds (six on offense), plus one steal, all while shooting 8-for-10 from the field.

Not bad for a Blue Devil who has been out of the league since the 2020-21 season and dealt with setbacks from knee injuries throughout his career.

He skied for rebounds. He scored with authority and sometimes with a soft touch. He took charges. And his chemistry with Nets floor general Ben Simmons appears potentially powerful:

On Monday night, the 25-year-old Giles, who went No. 20 overall at the 2017 NBA Draft following his one-and-done Duke campaign then averaged 5.9 points and 3.8 boards across three active seasons in the league, finished with four points and four rebounds in 11 minutes off the bench in a 129-126 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in Las Vegas.

The former No. 1 recruit in the 2016 recruiting class, now on a non-guaranteed one-year contract and vying for Brooklyn's final roster spot, Harry Giles sounded pleased with his performances while eyeing a full-fledged return to the NBA.

"I felt good," he told the media following Thursday night's victory. "Like I said a couple of days ago, this isn't my first rodeo. I'm just getting back in the swing of things. Every game, I plan to get better. I feel better...

"It's all about confidence, too, just building confidence each game. This is my first couple of games in like two years, so for me, it's just working through that. And I feel great. I've been working my body out hard in the summertime and now all of preseason, so I'm excited to keep going and keep building."

Brooklyn's other Duke basketball product, 2022-23 one-and-done and first-round draft pick Dariq Whitehead, has not suited up yet as he recovers from offseason foot surgery.

Next up for Harry Giles and the Brooklyn Nets is a preseason home game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night.

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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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