Three Duke basketball players most likely to leave early next year

Duke basketball players who look to be next early departures: Jalen Johnson

Probability of Jalen Johnson’s early departure next spring: 99 percent

One could point out that the trajectory of the 247Sports Composite ranking of Jalen Johnson (a fall from No. 4 to No. 13 across the past year) was eerily similar to that of Matthew Hurt as a senior (No. 4 in June 2018 down to No. 12 at graduation in 2019). Yet no one can argue the obvious: Johnson is head and shoulders above Hurt in terms of strength, bounce, and fluidity.

Also, Johnson will soon arrive in Durham — hopefully — as the highest-ranked recruit in Duke’s 2020 class, whereas Hurt had to play second fiddle to Vernon Carey Jr.

Granted, Johnson doesn’t have the sweetest jumper from deep. However, what he lacks in shooting touch he makes up for with his wizardly passing and his alpha mentality. Anyone who still needs more evidence that the 6-foot-8, 215-pound small forward from Wisconsin is at least a year ahead of Hurt’s NBA trajectory should look at his recent attempts and confidence when shooting for Zion-ish feats.

First, the promising “foul line” attempt:

https://twitter.com/Jalen_J23/status/1282747696760184833?s=20

And then whatever this is called:

https://twitter.com/Jalen_J23/status/1283582981207097347?s=20

Yup, barring some craziness, that’s a one-and-done Blue Devil.

Finally, keep in mind the 2020-21 Duke roster includes a handful of other candidates to leave early next spring, notably incoming five-star freshman guards Jeremy Roach and DJ Steward, who would probably sit just behind Wendell Moore on this list as 50-50s.

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