Duke basketball: Transfer lists Blue Devils as finalist, sets decision date

Duke basketball could snag a solid transfer piece by this time next Sunday.

Last week, Furman basketball star Noah Gurley announced his intention to transfer after three years with the Paladins, who finished No. 3 in the Southern Conference standings this past season. A couple of days later, there was a report that the Duke basketball staff, among many others, had reached out to the 6-foot-8, 210-pound combo forward from Fayetteville, Ga.

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Then on Sunday afternoon, despite no official word yet of an offer from the Blue Devils, Gurley listed Duke among his eight finalists. According to his tweet, the other seven in contention are Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Marquette, Miami, San Diego State, and Tennessee; apparently, he plans to announce his destination next Sunday.

Per Jake Weingarten of Stock Risers, throughout this week, Gurley will be talking with every program he is considering via Zoom.

A potential serviceable Duke basketball reserve

Noah Gurley was unranked and unrated in high school. Now, though, judging from some college highlights, it seems he has the length and strength to handle his own in the paint plus a fairly smooth 3-point stroke to help stretch the floor.

Last season, Gurley averaged 15.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 0.8 steals per game while knocking down 33.9 percent of his 3-point attempts.

With the new rule allowing anyone to transfer one time without having to sit out a year, Noah Gurley should have the chance to contribute right away, no matter where he ends up.

Also, because the NCAA has granted all 2020-21 winter athletes an extra year of eligibility due to all of their pandemic-impacted seasons, the 21-year-old will have the option to stick around for two seasons at his new school.