Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball Product Capitalizes on Boosted Role With Career-Highs

Former Duke basketball center Marques Bolden is in the midst of his most productive week in the NBA.

Matt Giles

Former Duke basketball center Marques Bolden
Former Duke basketball center Marques Bolden / Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
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The Charlotte Hornets (18-58) have long been out of playoff contention and now have a long list of injuries. That injury report includes former Duke basketball players Seth Curry (ankle) and Mark Williams (lower back).

As a result, the Hornets' third NBA Blue Devil, center Marques Bolden, has enjoyed more playing time than usual over the past couple of games. And on Wednesday night, the 25-year-old Texas native, who had been out of the league since the 2020-21 season but landed a two-way contract with Charlotte in early March, delivered a career-best performance in an 89-86 home loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.

Bolden, undrafted in 2019 following his three seasons in Durham, finished with a career-high seven points and eight rebounds in 15 minutes off the bench. It was only his 13th outing in the NBA and sixth this season.

He shot 3-for-3 from the field and 1-for-2 at the charity stripe, adding one steal and one block to his stat line without committing a single turnover or foul.

His effort came two nights after setting his previous career-high marks with four points and five boards in a home loss to the Boston Celtics.

Up next for Marques Bolden and the Hornets is a home bout against the Orlando Magic at 7 p.m. ET Friday. The Magic, of course, boast one Duke basketball treasure in second-year forward Paolo Banchero, the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year and a first-time NBA All-Star this season.

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI for more updates on NBA Blue Devils and other 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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