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

Projected Duke basketball starter: Mark Williams

So long as Mark Williams possesses nothing less than the set of skills he put on display down the stretch last season, there’s little to no doubt that the 7-foot, 240-pound center will be a part of the 2021-22 Duke basketball starting lineup.

However, we must take into account what Coach K described last year as “tendonitis knee problems” that seem to follow Williams around. With that in mind, a minutes restriction — or perhaps just a sense of caution regarding his playing time — could prove unavoidable in what will be the sophomore’s first college campaign with a full slate of games in the regular season.

Again, though, let’s just assume that once the 2021-22 schedule tips off against Kentucky on Nov. 9 in the Champions Classic, Williams picks up where he left off by asserting his insane length, understated athleticism, and general paint prowess.

If that is indeed the case, then the 19-year-old former five-star recruit from Virginia could force himself into the All-America conversation.