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Duke Basketball: 5-star class of 2019 big man Vernon Carey Jr. commits

By Bryan Mauro

SPRINGFIELD, MA - JANUARY 15: Vernon Carey Jr. of University School poses for a portrait during the 2018 Spalding HoopHall Classic at Blake Arena at Springfield College on January 15, 2018 in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
SPRINGFIELD, MA - JANUARY 15: Vernon Carey Jr. of University School poses for a portrait during the 2018 Spalding HoopHall Classic at Blake Arena at Springfield College on January 15, 2018 in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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SPRINGFIELD, MA – JANUARY 15: Vernon Carey Jr. #22 of University School goes for a layup while being guarded by David McCormack #33 of Oak Hill Academy during the 2018 Spalding Hoophall Classic at Blake Arena at Springfield College on January 15, 2018 in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
SPRINGFIELD, MA – JANUARY 15: Vernon Carey Jr. #22 of University School goes for a layup while being guarded by David McCormack #33 of Oak Hill Academy during the 2018 Spalding Hoophall Classic at Blake Arena at Springfield College on January 15, 2018 in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

What to expect with Carey Jr.

As mentioned earlier the big man mirrors his game around two other Duke players. One of those players that Carey has been compared to is Zion Williamson. It is unrealistic to expect Carey to be exactly like Williamson. Williamson is one of the most unique players in the country. However, Carey does have a very versatile and similar skillset.  He also plays his game a lot like Marvin Bagley did during his tenure in Durham.

The new commitment for Duke has a 7-foot wingspan. That wingspan is attached to a 6’10” 275-pound frame. Carey has shown he has no problem making the 15-foot midrange jumper. He also shows that he can finish around the rim, using the old school post moves. One of the more underrated parts of Carey’s game is his ability to stretch the floor. This summer while running with Nike Team Florida, the big man averaged just over 19 points per game, while shooting just over 33% from deep.

Coach K is probably going to want Carey to use his athleticism to roam around the paint. Carey is a great passer for a player of his size and is going to be able to pass the ball out of traffic to the open shooter. When he doesn’t have the ball, he is good enough to move without the ball to get the best position in the paint for the outlet pass. Once he has the ball in his hands, the lefty is deadly. As mentioned he can score from deep, midrange and with his size loves to throw down thunder dunks.

Duke fans are going to love the big man. He is next in the long line of Duke big men to become a lottery pick in that years NBA Draft. Bagley and Williamson are tough shoes to fill, but Carey does have a skill set that will remind many of those two players. The Florida big man now in toe Duke won’t drop off much next year on the basketball court.

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