Duke Basketball: What the Blue Devils will look like in 2018-19

7 of 8

BLOOMINGTON, IN – NOVEMBER 29: Duke Blue Devils players react from the bench in the second half of a game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Assembly Hall on November 29, 2017 in Bloomington, Indiana. Duke won 91-81. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

How these commitments impact the bench

Getting the top players in a class has many positives but there are some negatives involved as well. One of those points is depth, or better yet a lack of it. In the past few seasons, several highly ranked players decided to leave the programs for better pastures.

Just a couple of weeks ago, wing Jordan Tucker, a former top-100 recruit, elected to leave Duke due to a lack of minutes for Butler University. This past off-season saw the departure of Chase Jeter, a top-10 center who was marred by injuries in his first two seasons.

Current sophomore center Marques Bolden was very close to doing the same before deciding to come back. He’s averaged 12 minutes per game this season before missing the past few weeks with a leg injury. Considering that Williamson will be the starting center next year, one has to think that he could leave.

That goes the same for Javin DeLaurier, a former top-50 player in the same position as Bolden. He could leave as well, as his 13.5 mpg isn’t likely to increase next year unless the starters really get beat up on the boards. Add to it the other top-100 players on the bench in Jordan Goldwire and Alex O’Connell and a shakeup could be happening on the bench as well.

Home/Duke Blue Devils