Okafor, Winslow, and Jones Selected in the NBA Draft

The new class of NBA rookies is now set, and three former Duke players from the 2015 National Championship team will be joining the NBA rosters for the upcoming professional basketball season after being selected in the first round. Additionally, some former Duke players already in the NBA will be appearing on new clubs this season while several others will get the opportunity to showcase their skills and try-out for teams on NBA summer rosters and some.

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Center Jahlil Okafor was the highest Blue Devil drafted this year, going #3 overall to the Philadelphia 76ers. Most experts expected Okafor to go #1 or #2 overall, but the Minnesota Timerwolves went with Kentucky’s Karl Anthony Towns while the LA Lakers drafted Ohio State guard D’Angelo Russell. Justise Winslow also slipped in the draft, but was still a top 10 pick chosen at #10 by the Miami Heat. Point guard Tyus Jones was selected#24 overall by the Cleveland Caveliers but traded shortly after to the Timberwolves, his hometown team.

Current Blue Devils in the NBA, Gerald Henderson and Mason Plumlee, were recently traded from the teams that originally drafted them in the Charlotte Hornets and the Brooklyn Nets and have ended up joining together as teammates on the Portland Trailblazers. Other former Duke players who are currently NBA free agents and could possibly join new teams this year include Carlos Boozer, Elton Brand, Luol Deng, Mike Dunleavy, Austin Rivers, Kyle Singler, and Lance Thomas.

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Graduating senior and team captain for the 2014-2015 season Quinn Cook went undrafted in this year’s draft, but was picked up shortly after reportedly signing with the Oklahoma City Thunder’s summer league team. Additionally, a couple of undrafted class of 2013 guards will be joining Cook. Seth Curry will be joining the New Orleans Pelicans this summer and Andre Dawkins is possibly expected to re-join the Miami Heat after both spent time in the NBA Development League this past season.

These players will most likely join recently drafted Okafor, Jones, and Winslow as well other young former Duke players recently drafted in the last few years such as Rodney Hood, who excelled last year, and Jabari Parker if he recovers from his ACL injury in time in the 2015 NBA Summer League.

Coach K and Duke currently lead all of college basketball in former student-athletes currently playing in the NBA, all-time former players in the NBA, 31 players drafted in the first round, most lottery picks, and many more categories.

The upcoming NBA season should be an interesting one for Duke fans with the recent players drafted this year, former undrafted players hopeful of making a roster, the eventual returns of Jabari Parker and Kyrie Irving from injuries, and more. We’ll be sure to keep you updated on all former Blue Devils competing in the NBA here on Ball Durham.