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Duke Basketball: Harry Giles is greatest NBA Draft question mark

By Carmine Carcieri

Mar 17, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Harry Giles (1) grabs a rebound against Troy Trojans forward Alex Hicks (30) during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Harry Giles (1) grabs a rebound against Troy Trojans forward Alex Hicks (30) during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Duke basketball’s Harry Giles declared for the 2017 NBA Draft on Tuesday afternoon.

After a freshman season that consisted of more downs than ups, Duke forward Harry Giles declared for the 2017 NBA Draft on Tuesday afternoon. The 6’10” prospect will hire an agent and will not be able to return to the Blue Devils for his sophomore season.

Related Story: Sean Obi to transfer from Duke

Duke has now lost Chase Jeter and Sean Obi to the transfer market, and Jayson Tatum and Giles to the NBA. They are awaiting word on what Luke Kennard and Grayson Allen might do as they prep for the 2017-18 season.

https://twitter.com/DukeMBB/status/846784263454380034

While this was the proper choice by Giles, he owns both the most intriguing and questionable draft stock in the 2017 class.

The former five-star prospect, who was labeled as the best 2016 recruit in the country by ESPN.com, suffered two major knee injuries (both the right and left) in high school and underwent a more modest procedure before taking the court with Duke for the 2016-17 campaign.

Giles never regained the explosiveness and pure athleticism that made him such a coveted recruit out of high school. Instead, he looked tentative, out of sorts defensively and average offensively on his way to averaging just 3.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in just over 11 minutes per game. He shot 58 percent from the field and started to come into his own towards the end of the year (especially in the ACC Tournament), but never had as much of an impact as he was expected to have.

And that’s why it’s going to be awfully interesting to see where Giles lands.

Before the knee surgery, prior to the 2016-17 season, Giles was in the mix for the number one overall pick. Now, he could be selected between the end of the lottery all the way down to the middle of the second round — Draft Express currently has him projected at 24th overall. It will all likely depend on certain teams, their medical testing and information, and how Giles, himself, performs during the pre-draft process.

Is he ever going to regain his unworldly athleticism? Are his numerous injuries going to derail his unique mobility for the rest of his career or was this just a phase where Giles wasn’t 100 percent just yet? Can he get better as a mid-range jump shooter?

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While some will question the decision on the part of Giles, this was actually a smart move. There is just too much of a risk factor if he returns to school. What happens if he reinjures his knee? What happens if he gets out-preformed by Wendell Carter Jr.? There’s just too much uncertainty and the opportunity to get a guaranteed contract now while he is young and at his healthiest is all the more important. Everyone’s eyes may be focused on Markelle Fultz, Josh Jackson, Lonzo Ball and Tatum, but Giles’ stock and status is one that is worth following closely over the next couple of months.

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