Duke freshman Marvin Bagley III declares for 2018 NBA Draft
Duke’s freshman sensation Marvin Bagley III is in for the 2018 NBA Draft. The Duke star declared after the team’s overtime Elite Eight loss to the Kansas Jayhawks.
Duke Blue Devils star freshman Marvin Bagley III made a giant splash onto the college basketball scene this season. He averaged a double-double — 21 points and 11.1 rebounds per contest. With the game appearing easy to the 6-foot-11, 234-pound teenager, Bagley III has decided it’s time to go pro. Bagley III made the announcement on his Instagram page Wednesday night (March. 28.)
Bagley is just another highly-touted freshman to use one year of college to make the leap to the NBA Draft. Although he was only there for a limited amount of time, his impact on Duke basketball is already evident. He has etched his name next to nine different Duke basketball freshman records, including — points (694), scoring average (21.0), rebounds (366), rebounding average (11.1) and double-doubles (22). He is also one of three other players in Division I to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds this season.
His head coach, Mike Krzyzewski, also sung praises toward Bagley regarding his decision, according to ESPN.
"No freshman has done more in his freshman year than Marvin,” Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said after Bagley’s post. “He’s broken every record, and he’s really represented us at the highest level. I’m proud of him because he came in late and he adapted at the highest level. We wish him well. He and his family have prepared him well for this move. He’s ready. I can only see great things happening for him.”"
Bagley has helped Coach K continue to transition in the one-and-done era. Typically, Coach K relies on upperclassmen to help lead on the court. As of late, he’s relied on a combination of both, hence his 2015 National Title. Although Bagley didn’t win like his predecessors, he’s left a mark on Duke forever.