Duke basketball: Jordan Goldwire’s continued development is critical

The Duke basketball program is counting on improvements to Jordan Goldwire.

The past decade featured youth and inexperience for Duke basketball. Compared to previous teams, this year’s Blue Devils could be less reliant on freshman brilliance, thanks in part to the continued development of senior guard Jordan Goldwire.

With reigning ACC Player of the Year Tre Jones off to the NBA, this campaign comes with higher expectations for Goldwire given he is one of just four returning players and the only non-freshman guard.

As a junior, Goldwire averaged 4.7 points per game with 2.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists in just over 24 minutes per game. He was more defensive menace than an offensive weapon, although his numbers improved from his sophomore year.

The former three-star prospect is constantly evolving. Assistant coach Nate James attributes it to his mental toughness:

“Coming in as not a highly-touted player…I think he barely scratched the top 100, and now he’s receiving a scholarship to Duke and everyone’s like, ‘What in the world, where did this kid come from?’ I think he took that as a challenge. He took that as ‘I have to show everyone that I do deserve to be here and I’m good enough to wear the uniform.'”

Part of the appeal to Goldwire is his attitude, one that lends itself to on-court improvement, which is evident. Sophomore wing Wendell Moore noticed the work his senior point guard put in this offseason:

“Game-wise, I can say for Jordan [Goldwire], he’s also a lot more confident. He’s shooting the three a lot better, he’s getting in the lane a lot, and he’s just making everybody else around him better.”

The Duke basketball veteran’s offensive upgrades are especially vital

An improved 3-point shot adds to the Blue Devils’ arsenal behind the arc, as sophomore forward Matthew Hurt and junior wing Joey Baker are the top returning marksmen. Although Goldwire shot a respectable 35.1 percent clip from three last year, it came in only 48 attempts. Higher volume as a scorer is his next step.

Per a recent tweet by the program, Goldwire displayed a refined game in the team’s last scrimmage before the Nov. 25 opener.

An effective veteran guard has been absent from the program since 2015’s captain Quinn Cook left. Much like in 2015, as well as last season, Mike Krzyzewski may rely on a starting lineup with two point guards, Goldwire and freshman Jeremy Roach. In this scenario, five-star freshman guard DJ Steward, the best shooter of Duke’s debutants, supplies the boost off the bench.

ALSO READ: Three standout performers from Duke team scrimmages

Streamlined one-and-done talent means instability, which makes a four-year, productive guard a luxury for Krzyzewski and staff.

Changes to the starting lineup are inevitable. However, expect Goldwire to be a constant among other starters. He elevates others, which, when combined with an improved offensive game, gives Duke a mature player who will not shrink in big moments.

Experience wins in March.

Stay tuned to Ball Durham for more Duke basketball news and views.