Duke basketball: Projected starters without AJ Griffin

Projected Duke basketball starter against Kentucky: Trevor Keels

Even before the AJ Griffin injury, the starter at shooting guard for the 2021-22 Duke basketball squad was somewhat tough to predict. The list of viable choices pretty much consisted of freshman Trevor Keels, freshman Jaylen Blakes, junior Wendell Moore, senior Joey Baker, and Griffin himself.

But consider that the Blue Devils could be without Griffin’s grown-man muscles and solid outside stroke at the three-spot for a month or more. Chances are Mike Krzyzewski will respond by choosing a brawny sharpshooter at the two-spot to help account for the temporary muscle loss at small forward.

In other words, Trevor Keels ought to be the man for the job here, at least for the time being.

Again, keep in mind that the 6-foot-4, 220-pound shooting guard played alongside Jeremy Roach at Paul VI (Va.) two years ago. They formed one of the most formidable backcourt duos in high school at the time.

Now, Keels, a five-star prep who wound up at No. 22 overall on the 247Sports 2021 Composite, will need to prove that he can keep up with all the ultra-quick guards at the college level. However, judging from all of the evidence that is currently available, it seems the 2021 McDonald’s All-American enjoys a swagger and skillset that are well beyond his years as an 18-year-old.