Jon Scheyer & Duke staff solidify roster with important pieces

Jon Scheyer and his staff needed experience and shooting, and with two recent additions to the 2022-23 roster, Duke figures to have all the key pieces in place.

Jacob Grandison

Two weeks ago, Duke head coach Jon Scheyer and his staff were looking to fill a void in its backcourt. With Trevor Keels’ decision to stay in the NBA Draft, the Blue Devils were in need of depth at the two-guard spot. 

At the time, incoming freshman Jaden Schutt was the only true shooting guard on the roster with Jeremy Roach and Jaylen Blakes returning as point/combo-guards. Harvard transfer Kale Catchings was also in place, though he slots better as an undersized small forward rather than a two. 

Then, of course, there’s five-star forward Dariq Whitehead, who if needed, could be slotted at the two. 

While there was undoubtedly a hole at the two, Duke had the pieces to get by if needed. Instead, Scheyer and his staff continued to work hard to solidify the position. 

Ultimately, Scheyer wanted another capable perimeter shooter. 

The solution was to bring in combo-guard Tyrese Proctor a year early, which seemed to satisfy the need. The 6-foot-5 Proctor’s decision to reclassify instantly lifted Duke’s offensive tools to a whole new level. 

Proctor has been praised for his ability to score and create, but has also been lauded for his 3-point shot. Some have compared him to former Blue Devil DJ Steward. 

That skill-set is certainly enough to help Duke right away. 

However, Scheyer and company were not done yet. And just like his predecessor, his search for a player was not simply one-dimensional. Scheyer wanted an established shooter on the college level, but perhaps more importantly he needed another leader to add to the roster with Joey Baker’s recent decision to transfer. 

Tyrese Proctor (Photo Credit: Duke Athletics)

This weekend, Duke took care of both by landing Illinois transfer guard Jacob Grandison. The 6-foot-6 grad transfer is what Mike Krzyzewski would refer to as an “old” player, who understands what it takes to compete at the highest level of college basketball. 

Grandison certainly falls into that category at 24 years old, and will undoubtedly bring an invaluable level of maturity to the Blue Devils roster — one that will feature seven freshmen, most of whom will be expected to contribute right away. 

The former Illinois guard will give Duke a steady presence that can help Roach and fellow transfers Ketchings and Ryan Young guide this young team throughout the season. 

That said, Grandison isn’t in Durham to simply help lead a group of young players. He’s there to torch the nets from the perimeter. He has shot better than 41% from 3-point range in each of the last two seasons, and has proven to rise to the occasion in big games. 

Duke’s newest offensive presence put together his best performances against Illinois’ top opponents, including 24 points against Michigan State, which included six 3-pointers, and 21 points and four 3-pointers against Iowa. 

He made three or more 3-pointers in seven games last season, while drilling at least two 3-pointers in 18 of the Fighting Illini’s 33 games. 

The bottom line is Grandison was a very important pickup for Scheyer and rounding out the roster. 

Now that the roster pieces are in place for the new Duke basketball leadership, Scheyer will be turning all of his attention to recruiting and getting the 2022-23 team to connect and build the bond necessary to play at a high level.