Duke Basketball Transfer Sought Reasons to Avoid Joining the Blue Devils…
Mason Gillis, one of Duke’s latest basketball recruits, faced criticism after revealing his internal conflict about joining the Blue Devils. Despite the allure of playing for Duke, Gillis sought advice from those closest to him, wanting to ensure his decision wasn’t solely driven by emotion.
In a recent episode of The Brotherhood Podcast, Gillis shared that he actively sought out reasons not to join Duke, despite his long-standing dream to play for the team. “I always had to tell everybody, I’m biased towards Duke,” he explained. “It’s been my dream to come to Duke. I need you to tell me maybe why I shouldn’t go to Duke.”
Gillis ultimately committed to Duke without even visiting Durham, emphasizing the ease of his decision. Caleb Foster, Tyrese Proctor, and Cooper Flagg, current members of the Duke team, reached out during the recruitment process, solidifying his choice. “You were definitely somebody we had to get,” Foster mentioned on the podcast.
Last season, Gillis was named the Big Ten’s Sixth Man of the Year while playing for Purdue, averaging 6.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game, with impressive shooting percentages of 47.9% from the field and 46.8% from beyond the arc. “I felt wanted,” Gillis said. “It’s been my dream. No brainer.”
Gillis joins a strong transfer class that includes Syracuse’s Maliq Brown, Tulane’s Sion James, and Rice’s Cameron Sheffield. This group is ranked as the No. 22 transfer portal recruiting class in the country by 247Sports.
Gillis is expected to bring veteran leadership and a shooting boost to the Blue Devils next season. He also mentioned his focus on improving his defense and ball-handling during offseason workouts.
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