Duke basketball: Projected starters for Coach K’s farewell season

Projected Duke basketball starter: AJ Griffin

Indeed, AJ Griffin ought to bring the invaluable type of undeniable toughness — with just a hint of outright meanness — that was so often sorely missing from the ultimately disappointing 2020-21 Duke basketball roster.

A chiseled competitor is now on campus, plain and simple.

On that note, if nothing else, the 6-foot-6, 220-pound Griffin should be able to intimidate foes with both his grown-man muscles and almost unhuman athleticism.

Don’t forget that he, along with the upcoming predicted starter at the four-spot here, eclipsed the 40-inch mark in the vertical leap shortly after moving to Durham in June. And don’t forget that Griffin has been committed to playing for the Blue Devils ever since November 2019, in what was his junior year of high school at Archbishop Stepinac (N.Y.).

Eyeing the film, it’s reasonable to imagine Griffin more than living up to his five-star billing. Given the small forward’s size and hops plus the hoops acumen he’s picked up as the son of current Toronto Raptors assistant coach and former nine-year NBA player Adrian Griffin, it’d be quite a shock if he doesn’t earn a starting gig from the get-go next season.

Heck, Griffin even has an outside chance at outshining this next heralded newcomer…