Duke basketball: Roster construction takes unexpected twist

The construction of the Duke basketball roster took a wild twist. 

The deadline to withdraw from the NBA Draft is quickly approaching and the remaining five hours are beginning to feel like a free agency scenario to the Duke basketball program.

Jon Scheyer and the Blue Devils are still awaiting the decision of freshman guard Trevor Keels, who completed a workout with the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday afternoon.

If Keels decides to return to Duke for another season, things become much more clear and easy for the Blue Devils as he would fill the final scholarship roster slot.

If Keels decides to remain in the NBA Draft, Scheyer has to quickly get to work on filling the final roster spot for the first year as a head coach.

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Duke has been linked to Northern Iowa transfer AJ Green, although it seems likely he will opt for Iowa State in which his father, Kyle Green, is an assistant coach.

However, Stadium insider Jeff Goodman dropped a major recruiting bomb saying that Duke is heavily involved with Texas transfer Courtney Ramey should Keels head for the professional ranks.

Goodman also said that Houston is in the mix for Ramey should its star, Marcus Sasser, also remain in the NBA Draft.

Duke basketball coach has connection to Texas transfer

The newest assistant coach on Jon Scheyer’s staff, Jai Lucas, has a connection with Ramey after he recruited, and coached, him at Texas.

Ramey, four year player with the Longhorns, averaged 10.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.0 steals per game throughout his Texas career on 39.2-percent shooting from the floor and 36.5-percent shooting from 3-point range.

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Duke’s main priority remains trying to keep Trevor Keels in Durham for another season but it appears that the Blue Devil coaching staff has contingency plans in place if the projected late first round pick remains in the draft.

Keels has until 11:59 p.m. on June 1 to make his decision.