Duke Basketball: Jayson Tatum, Blue Devils survive major scare

By Carmine Carcieri | Oct 27, 2016

Mar 30, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; From left to right McDonald's All-Americans Jayson Tatum (22) and Frank Johnson (3) who will both be attending Duke University pose for a group photo before the McDonald's High School All-American Game at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Duke basketball won’t have the services of five-star forward Jayson Tatum for two weeks.

Head coach Mike Krzyzewski and the Duke Blue Devils are already without the potential number one pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Harry Giles, due to a recent knee procedure. With Giles out indefinitely, the Blue Devils would benefit from having the rest of their front court intact heading into the 2016-17 season.

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And they just barely survived an injury scare this week.

Five-star freshman forward Jayson Tatum suffered a foot injury during Tuesday’s Pro Day practice. With NBA scouts in attendance, Tatum had to be helped off the floor without putting any weight on his left foot. The possibility of a serious injury emerged, but it was quickly shot down on Wednesday with Duke announced that Tatum suffered just a sprained foot.

Instead of battling a long term issue, the freshman will be out only two weeks. He will miss two preseason games and should be back for Duke’s first game of the season on November 11 versus Marist. More importantly, barring an unexpected setback, Tatum will be in the Duke lineup when they face Kansas on November 15 in the Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden.

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“This is the best possible news,” Krzyzewski said in a statement. “It is a manageable injury that will not impact Jayson long-term. We look forward to having him back very soon.”

If any team could withstand two injuries to their two best freshman, it’s Duke. They are deep, talented, well coached and skilled. They still have two other five-star first year players on their roster and they also possess some great experience, including the ACC Preseason Player of the Year and a contender for National Player of the Year, Grayson Allen.

The talent gap from Duke to the rest of the teams in the preseason top-five would’ve closed significantly, but thankfully, the program doesn’t have to worry about that at this point.

The only concern should be getting Tatum back to 100 percent. If that means that he has to sit out the opener against Marist or the Champions Classic, then Coach K will almost assuredly keep him off the floor.

Tatum, like Giles, will be in the running for the top pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. He is one of the smoothest players in the class of 2016, as he is almost automatic when left open in the mid-range and excels with the ball in his hands. He has terrific size (6’8″), can play numerous positions and finishes around the rim using his touch and body control.

Also, his basketball IQ is off the charts, making him the perfect fit for Coach K’s system.

Next: In-depth Big East preview

The Cameron Crazies are breathing a sigh of relief right now in Durham. The Blue Devils are dealing with early bouts of adversity, but so far it hasn’t affected their standing as the number one team in the country.

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