2023 NBA Draft: Duke’s Dereck Lively II Finally Settling In

After a rough start to his collegiate career, one of the top college draft prospects heading into the season has finally started to find his footing.

After a rough start to his collegiate career, one of the top college draft prospects heading into the season has finally started to find his footing.

In his last few games, Duke center Dereck Lively, the No. 1 recruit in the 2022 high school class coming into the season per ESPN, has finally found means of production within an underwhelming Blue Devils squad.

In his last four games, Lively is averaging 7.8 points on 72% shooting, 9.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists and a whopping 5.0 blocks per game. Perhaps most importantly, the Blue Devils went 3-1 in that span, including a solid win over a competitive North Carolina squad.

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Duke hasn’t gotten near the level of freshman production this season as it did in year’s past. Lively has been wholly out of the system at times, and another top college prospect, Dariq Whitehead, has been inconsistent due to multiple injuries.

Kyle Filipowski, a 7-foot big man with a knack for seeing the ball through the ring, has been the team’s best freshman thus far.

While his production certainly hasn’t warranted a first round selection, Lively’s tantalizing 7-foot frame, premier shot-blocking ability and eventual, albeit unlikely, ability to space the floor are certainly intriguing.

At this point, Lively has several options; enter the 2023 NBA draft as a late flyer pick, return to Duke and hope to become a focal point on offense and defense, or transfer to another school where he can become that.

For now, he’ll continue to hone his skills in an up-and-down season that’s starting to come around.

Lively and Duke next take on No. 8 Virginia at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11, in another tough test.

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