Duke basketball: Newcomers with promising futures after opening night

Ryan Young

• 12 points, seven rebounds, two assists

In the forty-two years that Mike Krzyzewski was at the helm of Duke basketball, the Blue Devil program only ever welcomed three graduate transfers.

In Jon Scheyer’s first year, the Duke basketball program has already welcomed four.

None of which had a better debut than center Ryan Young, who drew the start in the absence of Dereck Lively II.

Young, who played at Northwestern for the past four seasons, tallied totals of 12 points and seven rebounds in his Blue Devil debut. He also added two assists and three steals.

The big man’s post moves were on full display, as he shaked and baked his way to layup after layup, shooting a perfect 6-for-6 from the field.

Not only did Young provide a perfect scoring output, but the experience he possesses was on full display. The big played with smarts and tenacity, hustling on both sides of the floor every single posession.

While Young may not play 32 minutes a night once Lively returns, his veteran experience and his physicality will be crucial for the Blue Devils, especially in conference play.