Duke star confirms his decision on returning to college vs. NBA Draft

Billy Heyen

Duke star confirms his decision on returning to college vs. NBA Draft image

Duke has produced a lot of players who are capable of playing in the NBA.

This most recent roster was no different, with the likes of Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, Khaman Maluach and Tyrese Proctor.

On Wednesday, Proctor spoke to reporters at the NBA Draft Combine. 

“Yeah, I’ve always said I’m 100% in or 100% out," Proctor said. "I’m happy with my decision. I loved being at Duke. I wish I could (go back), but I am 100% in. (Duke) was really good with all that.”

Proctor, the standout from Australia, is staying in the draft.

He's the least likely to be picked in the lottery portion of proceedings.

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Flagg should go No. 1 overall. Knueppel is a surefire top-10 pick, and that's likely where Maluach will end up, too.

Proctor's ever-increasing scoring capabilities give him a legitimate NBA future.

He averaged 12.4 points per game this past season, third on Duke behind Flagg and Knueppel.

Proctor also shot it at 40.5 percent from 3-point range, a skill that sets him up for immediate NBA usefulness.

The other Duke players are expected to stay in the draft, too, although they technically have until May 28 to withdraw and maintain NCAA eligibility.

Proctor won't be doing that. He's ready for the league.

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Billy Heyen

Billy Heyen is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is a 2019 graduate of Syracuse University who has written about many sports and fantasy sports for The Sporting News. Sports reporting work has also appeared in a number of newspapers, including the Sandusky Register and Rochester Democrat & Chronicle