Giant Duke Basketball Product Gets Another Shot in NBA

Duke basketball star Vernon Carey Jr. could carve out a role in the league.

Matt Giles | Apr 8, 2023

Giant Duke Basketball Product Gets Another Shot in NBA /

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At the beginning of March, former Duke basketball big man Vernon Carey Jr. got waived by the Washington Wizards. But it didn't take long for the 22-year-old NBA Blue Devil to land with another franchise.

According to a tweet from ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski on Saturday afternoon, the Utah Jazz have signed Carey to a deal that includes the remainder of this season and extends through 2023-24.

There's no word yet on how much of next season's money is guaranteed. However, Wojnarowski noted that Carey, now a third-year pro after going No. 32 overall to the Charlotte Hornets at the 2020 NBA Draft following a sensational one-and-done Duke basketball campaign, will play for the Jazz during Summer League action in July.

And perhaps there's a chance the 6-foot-10 bruiser will see minutes when Utah plays at the Los Angeles Lakers at 3:30 p.m. ET Sunday, the last day of the regular season. It seems unlikely he would be on the floor for the Jazz's home game against the Denver Nuggets at 3:30 p..m. Saturday.

The rebuilding Jazz (36-44) were eliminated from playoff contention earlier this week.

Vernon Carey Jr. has played only 37 games in the NBA between his time with the Hornets and Wizards, posting career averages of 1.9 points and 1.4 rebounds across 5.1 minutes per game.

At Duke, he became the 2019-20 ACC Rookie of the Year and a consensus second-team All-American after leading the Blue Devils, who finished 25-6 but missed out on the postseason due to the cancellation of March Madness that year, with his 17.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game.

With the addition of Vernon Carey Jr., 24 former Duke basketball players are on active contracts in the NBA.

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country for daily Duke basketball content.

Published Apr 8, 2023

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.