Duke basketball guard’s NBA Draft status still in limbo

The NBA Draft status of one Duke basketball player is still in limbo. 

The entire process of the Duke basketball players declaring for the 2022 NBA Draft was drawn out, but the program withheld one of its most important announcements to the final moment possible.

Sunday night was the deadline for underclassmen to enter their names into the draft, and Trevor Keels‘ decision did not come until Saturday afternoon.

The freshman guard decided to enter his name into the NBA Draft.

But it’s more complicated than that.

Duke’s press release stated that Keels will be hiring an agent, but quotes from Mike Krzyzewski indicated that the Virginia native could return to Durham.

“We wish Trevor [Keels] nothing but the very best as he enters the NBA Draft process,” Krzyzewski said.

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“It’s been a joy having Trevor [Keels] and his family in our program, and we’ll continue to be here for him as he explores this next step of his career.”

Not exactly the goodbyes players like Paolo Banchero, Mark Williams, and Wendell Moore received from the head coach.

However, the guard had a different tone in his announcement comments.

“Playing at Duke was a dream and I feel that now is the time to chase another dream,” Keels said.

“I found a second home at Duke and I’ll be riding with The Brotherhood for life.”

Trevor Keels had an up-and-down season while averaging 11.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game as a freshman and shot 41.9-percent from the floor and 31.2-percent from 3-point range.

Duke basketball insider feels like return is ‘likely’

Trevor Keels still can hire an agent and return to Duke for a sophomore season as long as he hires an NCAA-certified agent. And a Blue Devil insider sees that as a likely scenario.

Brendan Marks, The Athletic’s Duke basketball reporter, answered questions on social media on the decision of Trevor Keels and didn’t mince words, “I’m still of the belief Trevor Keels returns next season.”

“We’ll see, but my understanding is him leaving isn’t a done deal,” Marks continued.

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“It’s sourced. Wouldn’t just wildly speculate about something like this,” Marks commented on if he was reporting or speculating on the situation.

Trevor Keels, as long as he does not hire an agent or hires one certified by the NCAA, has until June 1 at 11:59 p.m. EST to withdraw from the 2022 NBA Draft and return to the Blue Devils for his sophomore season.