Duke Basketball: Grayson Allen returning to Durham for senior season

Luke Kennard, Jayson Tatum and Harry Giles are departing, but Duke basketball has Grayson Allen to lead the team.

After having a tumultuous 2016-17 season that included confidence issues, a suspension for a third tripping incident and decreased scoring numbers, guard Grayson Allen is returning to Durham for his senior season.

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“The last few weeks have provided the opportunity for a lot of reflection and prayer,” Allen said. “I’m a firm believer that when something feels right, you go with it. The chance to play with next year’s team just felt right. I’m completely focused on helping Coach K and our staff lead this team to a special season. I love being a Duke student, and continuing to be part of the university culture is something I don’t take for granted.”

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The 6’5″ guard from Jacksonville, Fla. averaged under 10 minutes per game during his freshman campaign, but had his coming out party in the National Title game, scoring 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting in their win over the Wisconsin Badgers.

Allen built on that final game by earning second team All-American honors in his sophomore season. The guard averaged 21.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists per game while shooting 47 percent from the field and 42 percent from beyond arc.

He was rewarded with Preseason Player of the Year before the 2016-17 season, but failed to live up to the expectations, averaging just 14.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. Luke Kennard passed Allen as the team’s best player as the junior eventually came off the bench after battling injury issues (foot and ankle) down the stretch of the season.

With Allen back in Durham, the Blue Devils have solidified themselves as a top 10 team. Even though Kennard, Jayson Tatum and Harry Giles have declared for the NBA, Amile Jefferson and Matt Jones are graduating and Sean Obi and Chase Jeter are transferring, Allen is returning alongside sophomores Frank Jackson and Marques Bolden.

In addition to the returnees, Duke adds three elite recruits in power forward Wendell Carter Jr., shooting guard Gary Trent Jr. and guard Alex O’Connell. The Blue Devils are also in the mix for five-star recruits Trevon Duval and Kevin Knox.

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The Blue Devils will once again have the talent to compete with the nation’s best, however, they will still have questions regarding their point guard situation. Allen’s return helps ease the burden, but he is at his best when he has space to attack from the wing and spot up from beyond the arc. If Jackson develops in the offseason and Duval commits to the Blue Devils, Duke will have talent, depth, skill and balance to win a National Championship.