Duke basketball freshman already breaks Blue Devil record

Duke basketball freshman guard Trevor Keels has already broken a Blue Devil record. 

It did not take long for a Duke basketball record to be broken this season.

In fact, the Blue Devils have not even played in an exhibition game before one of their freshmen shattered a previously standing mark in the weight room.

Duke announced on Tuesday night that Trevor Keels posted 19 reps of 185 pounds on the bench press, breaking a program freshman record.

Keels, who has been impressive in the Countdown to Craziness scrimmage as well as the secret scrimmage against Villanova, entered Durham as a five-star prospect and the No. 22 recruit in the nation and the No. 2 shooting guard in the Class of 2021, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

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The Blue Devils list the freshman guard as 6-foot-4, 221 pounds but Keels was not named to the Preseason Jerry West Award Watch List, an award given to the best shooting guard in the country.

However, Trevor Keels did receive the second most votes for the Preseason ACC Freshman of the Year Award, only trailing his teammate Paolo Banchero.

Duke basketball freshman looking to elevate Blue Devil backcourt

The presence of Trevor Keels will hopefully elevate the play of sophomore point guard Jeremy Roach as the two were teammates at Paul VI prior to reuniting at Duke.

Roach struggled with consistency in adjusting to the college game in his freshman season, but it’s tough to blame the point guard given the choppiness of the last season due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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Keels and Roach seem to have picked up where they left off in high school, creating a dynamic duo in the backcourt, which can defend 94 feet and has the ability to drive, kick, and shoot on the offensive end.

Trevor Keels will get his first college action under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden as the No. 9 Blue Devils face the No. 10 Kentucky Wildcats in the State Farm Champions Classic on November 9.