Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball One-And-Done Helps Raptors Snag Encouraging Win

Duke basketball product Gary Trent Jr. continues to make strides following a discouraging start to his season.

Matt Giles

Former Duke basketball guard Gary Trent Jr. (John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports)
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Sure, on Wednesday night, the Phoenix Suns (11-7) were without their 2015 Duke basketball national champ, Grayson Allen (illness), a full-time starter thus far this season.

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Even so, the Toronto Raptors (9-10) and their former Blue Devil guard, Gary Trent Jr., showed promise in delivering a much-needed 112-105 home win over the presumed title contender featuring Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. In doing so, Toronto snapped its two-game losing streak.

And the Raptors earned a visit from their most famous fan, Drake, in the locker room afterward:

Trent struggled out of the gates this season, connecting on only seven of his 25 attempts beyond the arc across the Raptors' 2-3 start. But he's been picking up steam, now enjoying his second four-game stretch of double-digit scoring outings in his past 10 outings.

Against the Suns, he finished with 13 points, five rebounds, two assists, and zero turnovers while shooting 5-for-13 from the field and 3-for-7 from downtown in his 25 minutes off the bench.

Gary Trent Jr., now in his sixth season as a pro and fourth with the Raptors, is averaging 11.4 points, 2.1 boards, and 1.1 assists in 26.0 minutes per game.

That scoring average is still significantly down from his 17.4 last season and career-high 18.3 the year before. However, it's worth noting that he's averaging a handful less minutes per game as a primary bench weapon this go-round rather than a regular starter.

The Raptors and the 24-year-old Trent, an early second-round draft pick in 2018 following his one-and-done campaign with the Blue Devils, next host the New York Knicks (10-7) and 2018-19 Duke one-and-done RJ Barrett on Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET.

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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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