DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) – A major piece of the Duke men’s basketball team seems to be coming back to Durham for another year.
Sophomore guard Tyrese Proctor will return to play with the Blue Devils for the 2024-25 season rather than declaring for the NBA Draft, according to reports.
The Australian native averaged 10.5 points, 3.7 assists and 3.0 rebounds last year, starting in 25 games.
Proctor helped the Blue Devils advance to the Elite Eight before falling to North Carolina State.
This is big news for a program that could potentially lose a handful of players this offseason. Duke is awaiting announcements from freshman guard Jared McCain and sophomore forward Kyle Filipowski, who are projected lottery picks in the upcoming NBA Draft. Senior guard Jeremy Roach has another year of eligibility, but can also opt to enter the professional ranks.
The 6-foot-5 guard displayed flashes of greatness as a scorer this season, including a career-high 24 points at Louisville. He’s also regarded as a valuable playmaker and a tenacious defender, which came in handy down the stretch with three steals in Duke’s upset victory over No. 1 seed Houston in the Sweet 16.
Proctor will be viewed as an experienced leader next season to a talented but young team that’s bringing in the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation, highlighted by top overall recruit Cooper Flagg.