Australian young gun Tyrese Proctor has confirmed he will return to college basketball powerhouse Duke for a second season.
The teenage sensation had a slow start to his collegiate career as he averaged 9.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game in his freshman year with Duke.
Watch an average of 9 LIVE NBA Regular Season games per week on ESPN on Kayo Sports on ESPN on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
However, Proctor found form in the latter stages of the season as he scored 16 points and chalked up six assists in the NCAA tournament defeat to Tennessee as well as a double-double against Pittsburgh in the ACC tournament.
Now that he’s signed up for another year with the Blue Devils, Proctor has a golden chance to boost his stocks for the 2024 NBA Draft.
“This is the best decision for my career, both present and future,” Proctor told ESPN.
“Coach [Jon] Scheyer and I share the same vision; we have unfinished business. We have the best staff in the country, and they will push me each and every day.”
MORE COVERAGE
NBA Wrap: 16-year-first as LeBron returns; Luka cops ban after 40-point day as Mavs flop again
LeBron James returns to Lakers after missing 13 games with injury
Brooklyn Nets not expecting Ben Simmons to play again this season
Proctor will have a number of fresh faces as teammates in the 2023/24 season at Duke as they await the arrival of a recruitment class rated No. 2 in the United States, with five of the top 31 players in 2023 linking up with the Blue Devils.
And the Aussie can’t wait to get to work with his new teammates.
“It’s all about winning, and that starts this summer,” Proctor said.
“Having a full off-season on campus will be extremely valuable for my continued development, and I am looking forward to leading our talented incoming class.”
Despite the strong recruitment class, Duke coaches will be salivating at the prospect of having Proctor on their books for another season.
Last year, ESPN’s Jonathon Givony wrote that the Blue Devils saw the Aussie youngster as “their best player” and “biggest surprise”.
And Brendan Marks, who covers Duke and North Carolina basketball for The Athletic, told foxsports.com.au that he expects several NBA teams to be interested in the Australian.
“The fact that he has made this impact so quickly I think speaks really highly of him,” Marks said.
“He is an NBA player through and through. Teams I think, by the time it comes around for drafting him, they’re going to be fighting for his services.”
