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Vernon Carey Jr., Tre Jones named to Naismith Award Watch List

By Kevin Connelly

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 05: Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils takes the ball down court in the first half of their game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Madison Square Garden on November 05, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 05: Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils takes the ball down court in the first half of their game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Madison Square Garden on November 05, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /
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Two members of the Duke Basketball team were named to the Naismith Award Watch List in point guard Tre Jones and center Vernon Carey Jr.

The Duke Basketball program is looking for back-to-back Naismith Award winners, and it looks like the program will get the opportunity as two players were named to the award’s Watch List.

Last season it was Zion Williamson who captivated the nation and went onto win the Naismith Award as well as every other Player of the Year Award, but this year sophomore Tre Jones and freshman Vernon Carey Jr. were named to the Naismith Award Watch List.

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Jones ended his freshman season averaging 9.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.9 steals per game while Carey Jr. was a McDonald’s All-American and one of the highest rated recruits to enter college basketball.

Both players have one game under their belts in the 2019-20 season as the No. 4 Duke Blue Devils defeated the No. 3 Kansas Jayhawks in the State Farm Champions Classic, 68-66.

Tre Jones led the Blue Devils in scoring with 15 points and also played a team high 39 minutes in addition to his six rebounds, seven assists, and two steals.

Vernon Carey Jr. need some time to get accustomed to the high energy and new speed of the colligate game but the freshman played 25 minutes and scored 11 points while being matched up against another Naismith Award Watch List Finalist, Udoka Azubuike.

Jones was matched up against Devon Dotson, who also made the Naismith Award Watch List.

Tre Jones and Vernon Carey Jr. will look to add to their Naismith Award resumes as the Duke Blue Devils look to improve to 2-0 against the Colorado State Rams on Friday night in Duke’s home opener at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Tip-off time is 7:00pm EST and fans can watch the game on the ACC Network.

Trending. Predicted scores for every Duke basketball game this season. light

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