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Duke Basketball: Projected starting lineup and depth chart for 2021-22 season

By Jerran Anderson

Dec 16, 2020; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Duke Blue Devils players wear jerseys with the word equality at the bottom during a game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Purcell Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2020; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Duke Blue Devils players wear jerseys with the word equality at the bottom during a game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Purcell Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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Duke Basketball center Mark Williams Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Duke Basketball center Mark Williams Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Center

Mark Williams is the leading name at the center spot for Duke basketball. The 7-footer came on strong down the stretch for the Blue Devils as a freshman, averaging 7.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg, and 1.4 bpg while shooting 66.4 percent from the field.

Williams is a mobile big man for his size that can operate inside and out and doesn’t slow down Duke basketball much when he’s on the floor. He also finished eighth in ACC basketball in blocks this past season (32). Look for that number to rise a ton this season with more bulk on the interior in 2021-22.

There’s room for Theo John to play both the 4 and 5 spot for them as well so don’t be surprised if he plays center some. At 6-foot-9, 255 pounds, he’s shown he isn’t afraid to mix it up down low and finished fourth in Big East basketball last season in total blocks (40).

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Bates Jones is another player that could find himself playing the reserve center spot. He averaged 2.6 ppg and 2.6 rpg as a senior reserve at Davidson. He’s a bit undersized at 6-foot-8, but could find himself playing a role as a stretch-5 with his perimeter shot and rim-runner.

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