In this latest edition of “Who From the NCAA Championship Team WIll Declare Next?” freshman Justise Winslow will, in fact, enter the 2015 NBA Draft.
The announcement, made by the school on Tuesday afternoon, comes just a week after fellow freshman Jalil Okafor announced he would miss his last three years of school and go pro.
In the announcement by Duke, coach Mike Krzyzewksi said:
“We’re very happy for Justise and his family. He had a sensational year, both on and off the court. He was an amazing factor for our success in winning the national championship. From everything we have found out, Justise is projected to be a high lottery pick and we believe that to be true. This is a great time to take advantage of this opportunity. We’re behind him all the way and love him and his family.”
Winslow ends his collegiate hoops career after being the third highest freshman scorer in the ACC, averaging 12.5 points per game and shooting 48.6 percent from the field.
But what maybe makes the Houston, Texas natives chances of success in the NBA greater is the fact that he played consistantly through games of greater importance, including through the duration of the NCAA tournament. During that stretch he became the second player in Blue Devils history to record a double-double plus add five assists and at least three blocks and three steals in a tourney contest.
Yes, he got into a bit of foul trouble in the championship tilt against the Wisconsin Badgers, but he also registered 11 points and nine rebounds.
Winslow said in the team release about his time at Duke:
“This year at Duke University, my dreams and aspirations have literally come true. Since I was a kid in third grade playing for the Houston Jaguars, I envisioned one day playing at the collegiate level and winning a championship. If you fast forward 10 years and my dream became a reality. The friendships and relationships I’ve formed with those a part of the Duke and Durham community have been even better than winning the National Championship.”
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*Featured Photo (above) credit to Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
