Star Duke guard Luke Kennard announced he will enter the 2017 NBA Draft and sign with an agent, thus ending his collegiate career, the school announced.
Named a consensus Second Team All-America following the 2016-17 season, Kennard led the Blue Devils in scoring with 19.5 points and shot 43.8 percent from behind the arc.
“After considerable reflection, prayer, and consultation with my family and coaches, I have decided to take the next step in pursuing my basketball dreams by entering the NBA Draft,” Kennard said in a statement. “Being a member of the Duke basketball brotherhood is always going to be special to me. I have nothing but love and respect for everyone in the Duke program."
The 6-foot-6 former Mr. Basketball Ohio improved on his freshman season to become the team's most consistent player as Grayson Allen dealt with his tripping incidents and a handful of prized freshmen recruits failed to pan out.
Year | Minutes | FG% | 3PT% | PPG | RPG | APG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016-17 | 35.5 | 48.9 | 43.8 | 19.5 | 5.1 | 2.5 |
2015-16 | 26.7 | 42.1 | 32 | 11.8 | 3.6 | 1.5 |
Kennard scored in double figures in 35 of Duke's 37 games this season, going over the 20-point mark on 19 occasions. His 86.7 percent free-throw rate ranks second-best in program history.
Named ACC tournament MVP this year, Kennard will look to become the seventh consecutive first-round pick out of Duke, and 33rd overall under head coach Mike Krzyzewski.