Former Duke basketball players Dereck Lively II and Kyrie Irving (Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports)
Duke Basketball One-And-Done Makes History in First NBA Game
Only one player in history has ever recorded at least 15 points and 10 rebounds while shooting better than 85 percent from the field in an NBA debut, according to MavsMuse. That player is Duke basketball product Dereck Lively II.
On Wednesday night, the No. 12 overall pick from the 2023 NBA Draft totaled 16 points, 10 boards, one assist, one steal, and one block in his 31 minutes off the bench to help the Dallas Mavericks begin their season 1-0 with a 126-119 road win over the San Antonio Spurs.
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It marks what should be the first of many double-doubles for Lively as a pro.
The 19-year-old, a 7-foot-1, 230-pound former No. 1 overall recruit who emerged as one of the 2022-23 Blue Devils' premier threats late in the season, finished 7-for-8 from the field and 2-for-3 at the charity stripe.
Three other Duke basketball talents saw action in the game. Dallas guard Kyrie Irving delivered 22 points, six assists, and a steal in his 36 minutes as a starter. Seth Curry played four minutes off the Mavericks bench and did not tally a stat other than that. And in a reserve role for the Spurs, Tre Jones had 16 points and six dimes in 25 minutes.
Meanwhile, this summer's top overall draft pick, 7-foot-4 San Antonio center Victor Wembanyama from France, posted 15 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals, one block, and five turnovers in his 23 minutes as a starter.
In other words, at least on Wednesday night, Duke basketball's Dereck Lively II outperformed Wembanyama.
Next, Lively, Irving, Curry, and the Mavericks (the only NBA team with three Blue Devils on its roster this season) face the Brooklyn Nets in Dallas' American Airlines Center at 8:30 p.m. ET Friday.
Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com for more Duke basketball news.