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Duke in the NBA update: Tatum and Banchero dominate; Tre Jones shining in new role

By: Ben McCormick

November 7, 2022

The NBA regular season kicked off nearly three weeks ago, and nearly each team has played approximately ten games so far this season. Twenty-five former Blue Devils are competing on NBA rosters, and all but Marvin Bagley III, who suffered a knee injury in preseason play, have seen floor time thus far. Per an NBA report, Bagley participated in Sunday's practice with the Pistons. The timetable for his injury was estimated at 3-4 weeks at the time of injury which was Oct. 11.


This will serve as an update for how all former Blue Devils are faring thus far into the 2022-2023 NBA season. It will look into questions like: Are there any award candidates so far? Who has stood out? What are their stats looking like?


Eleven of the twenty-four players who have seen action so far are averaging 10+ PPG. Eight of which are averaging 16+ PPG; seven with 18+ PPG, and five with 21+ PPG. The Brotherhood in the NBA is impressing the basketball world this season. Here's how each of them is doing:


All Stats retrieved from basketball reference on November 7, 2022 as of 5:00 p.m.


Jayson Tatum- Celtics

The reigning inaugural recipient of the Larry Bird Eastern Conference Finals MVP, Tatum has begun his sixth season in the NBA scorching.

Tatum currently ranks ninth in the league in scoring per game with 30.3 PPG, which would be the best mark of his career if he sustains the average. He is also pulling down 8.0 RPG, and dishing out 4.2 APG. The Celtics' star has impressed on defense as well, averaging a career best 1.4 BPG.


The Celtics currently rank third in the Eastern Conference with a 6-3 record after making a trip to The Finals a season ago. Boston trails only Milwaukee and Cleveland in the Eastern Conference standings.


Tatum is seeking his fourth consecutive all-star appearance and third overall All-NBA selection, in which he was named to the first team in 2021-2022. At this pace he looks like he will have no trouble meeting these marks.


Stats: 30.3 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.4 BPG, 0.9 SPG, 50% FG, 38.3 3PT%, 90.4 FT%, BOS record (6-3)


Kyrie Irving- Nets

There has been much controversy surrounding Kyrie in the past week. If you are not familiar with what has transpired, I suggest you watch the video included here in the article. In addition to the suspension outlined by NBC News in the video, Nike has also announced they are cutting ties with Kyrie after a long and profitable partnership. The upcoming release of the Kyrie 8 will no longer come to fruition.


According to NBA insider Shams Charania, the Nets "have delivered Kyrie Irving six items he must complete to return to the team." Per Charania, those items include: "apologize/condemn movie, $500K donation to anti-hate causes, sensitivity training, Anti-Semitic training, meet with ADL, Jewish leaders, and meet with Joe Tsai [Nets owner] to demonstrate understanding."


Irving has often found himself under scrutiny over the past few years. Last season his vocal refusal to receive the COVID-19 vaccine led to him having to sit out much of the season, which was met with quite the backlash. Now, he perhaps finds himself in the most consequential controversy of his career.


His future with the Nets and the league seems unclear at the moment as everyone is anticipating the next bit of news to drop about this developing situation.


Irving is in his twelfth season in the NBA, the fourth with the Nets. In the eight games he played prior to his suspension, here are Irving's scoring averages.


Stats: 26.9 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 5.1 APG, 1.4 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 45.3% FG, 28 3PT%, 92.7 FT%, BKN record (4-6)


Paolo Banchero- Magic

Banchero started his rookie campaign with 27 points and 12 rebounds, which was the first time a rookie had put up such numbers in their debut since LeBron James in 2003 (see more about that here). He went on to score 20+ in each of his first six games. He is just the third number one overall pick to ever score 20 or more in the first six games of their career. Per NBA Stats on Twitter, Banchero is the first rookie to tally 120+ points, 35+ rebounds, and 15+ assists in their first five career games, since: Dominique Wilkins in 1982-83 (124 pts, 40 reb, 16 ast).


Per The Athletic on Twitter, "Paolo Banchero became the sixth player in NBA history to score 20+ PTS in his first six games,"ā€”the first of the 3-point era.


Banchero went on to notch his first 30+ point game against Sacramento on Nov. 5 as he posted 33 points and 16 rebounds. The rookie continues to impress, solidifying a top five spot among rookies in all five major statistical categoriesā€”points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals. He ranks first among rookies in points, rebounds, and assists.


If he continues at this rate, he is certainly the favorite for NBA Rookie of the Year, and is beginning to create some dialogue about a potential All-Star appearance...


Stats: 22.9 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.0 BPG, 0.6 SPG, 45.8% FG, 23.1 3PT%, 75.3 FT%, ORL record (2-8)


Zion Williamson- Pelicans


Williamson started the season off strong but gave Pelicans fans a scare when he took a hard fall after flailing in the air after a play on the ball from Jordan Clarkson. The play left Williamson with a right posterior hip and lower back contusion which caused him to miss the proceeding two games.


This season marks the return of the high-flying Williamson, who missed the entirety of the 2021-2022 season with lower leg injuries. Now, the fourth year player and former number one overall pick in 2019 looks to bring the Pelicans back to the playoffs where they made a solid stand in six games against the Phoenix Suns a season ago.


Williamson is on line for his second all-star appearance potentially, and if the Pelicans finish toward the top of the west, he could be eyeing an All-NBA nod.


Stats: 22.7 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 52.4% FG, 67.5 FT%, NOP record (5-4)


Brandon Ingram- Pelicans

In his seventh year in the league, Brandon Ingram still continues to improve each year an inspire awe. The lanky forward plays alongside fellow All-Star teammate Zion Williamson and both players average north of 21 PPG.


Ingram suffered a concussion against the Utah Jazz on Oct. 23, the same game Williamson suffered his hip contusion, and missed several games. But he made his return last Friday and is back on his way to helping the Pelicans reach the playoffs once again.


Like Williamson, Ingram is vying for his second all-star selection and has a genuine chance of doing so.


Stats: 21.6 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 4.8 APG, 1.0 BPG, 0.8 SPG, 47.4% FG, 50.0 3PT%, 78.1 FT%, NOP record (5-4)


R.J. Barrett- Knicks

For many, this season promises to be Barrett's break-out year. The fourth year wing saw a scoring increase to right at 20 PPG in 2021-2022. He is considered by many to be the franchise player for the Knicks now, and with that responsibility comes a lot of pressure. The Knicks are one of the biggest teams (market wise) in the league, and being the most recognizable Knick comes with its pros and cons.


New York is just under .500 at 4-5 through nine games. It puts them squarely in playoff contention where they'd like to be, but for Barrett his start was not as dominant as Knicks fans may have hoped. Still, he has already begun to lift his scoring average up game-by-game and is nearly at the same mark as last season. He scored 27 points against Boston in New York's last contest.


Stats: 19.3 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 2.7 APG, 0.3 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 43.6% FG, 27.5 3PT%, 81.1 FT%, NYK record (4-5)


Gary Trent Jr.- Raptors

Ever since his days at Duke, Trent has consistently been one of the most underrated players on any team and in any league he finds himself. His ability to shoot the ball from three and lock down opposing players as a defender are elite level skills. He may be one of the least talked about players in the NBA to have averaged 18+ PPG in two consecutive seasons at jus the age of 23! Trent is playing his role in Toronto beautifully and is the perfect 3-and-D prototype player in today's NBA.


With help from Trent, the Raptors have a 6-4 record, good for fifth in the east.


Stats: 18.4 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 1.1 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 42.8% FG, 35.0 3PT%, 76.5 FT%, TOR record (6-4)


Wendell Carter Jr.- Magic

It's fitting that we go from Trent to Carter seeing as the two were hyped as a package deal in their high school days. That package deal sent them to Durham for a season and then to the NBA where they both have carved out terrific roles.


Carter is playing in a STACKED frontcourt alongside rookie sensation Banchero as well as Bol Bol who is having a break-out season and a second-year player oozing with potential in Franz Wagner. Still, Carter has found a way to hold down his role and play it well. Often playing the center position for Orlando, Carter is controlling the paint despite often playing larger opposition. He had a 30 point-12 rebound game against the Thunder on Nov. 1, showing that he can contribute to Orlando's success by getting on the glass and getting buckets.


Stats: 16.0 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 3.0 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.4 BPG, 50.9% FG, 30.3 3PT%, 81.6 FT%, ORL record (2-8)


Tre Jones- Spurs

Noah Magaro-George on Twitter pointed out that Jones "went 10-of-51 (19.6%) from three in 69 games last season," and had already improved to 8-of-19 (42.1%) in eight games as of Nov. 4 this season. It's those kinds of improvements that demonstrate the strides Jones is making in his third year in the league.


After the Spurs traded all-star point guard Dejounte Murray to Atlanta, the only true point guard left on roster was Jones (especially after the controversy and recent waiving of Josh Primo). Jones stepped into the starting lineup and he has fought. He has done everything asked of him and shown heart, just like his coach Gregg Popovich said when asked about his point guard's impact. Popovich likened some of his traits to Manu Ginobili and Avery Johnson, which is high praise coming from the NBA's all-time winningest coach.


When you pair a player who cares as much as Jones, and has as much skill and will to win as he does with a hall of fame coach who coaches the Olympic teamā€”only good things can happen. If you do that twice...well I guess we will just have to see won't we.



Stats: 12.0 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 5.7 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 38.1 % FG, 41.7 3PT%, 90.9 FT%, SAS record (5-5)


Tyus Jones- Grizzlies

The older brother of Tre has had a great start to his eighth season in the NBA. Tyus may be one of the most efficient point guards in league history. He led the league in best assists to turnover ratio a season ago (his brother Tre was second in the league). Tyus already has a game-winner under his belt against the Knicks in the season opener and is putting up the highest scoring average of his career.


Shockingly he is only 6 of 11 from the strike thus far. I wouldn't expect that to last though.


Stats: 11.8 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 4.1 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 45.5% FG, 34.9 3PT%, 54.5 FT%, MEM record (7-3)


Grayson Allen- Bucks

The eleventh and final former Blue Devil averaging 10+ PPG so far this season is fan favorite Grayson Allen (well favorite among Duke and Bucks fans, not so much among all other fanbases).


Allen often finds himself as the Bucks starting shooting guard. After struggling defensively in last year's playoff loss to the Celtics, Allen has shown improvements on the defensive end so far this season. Offensively he has been a bit up and down, but looked promising with a 19 point effort against the Thunder after losing his starting job for a game to rookie MarJon Beauchamp. Allen and the Bucks appear to have a good chance at making a run for the franchises third title this year after starting the season off with a franchise best 9-0 record.


Stats: 10.0 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 40.3% FG, 40.9 3PT%, 90.0 FT%, MIL record (9-0)


Mason Plumlee- Hornets

The starting center for Charlotte, Plumlee has found success as both a low post scorer above the rim and as a rebounder. Now in his tenth season, Plumlee changed his free throw shooting hand to his left hand to attempt to correct his career worst 39% from the line last season (the tenth worst mark in league history). So far it seems to be working, his free throw percentage has risen 15%.


Stats: 8.3 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 4.0 APG, 0.6 BPG, 0.4 SPG, 59.3% FG, 54.3 FT%, CHA record (3-7)


Luke Kennard- Clippers

A participant in last year's three point contest, Kennard has carved out a good role as a three-point threat for the Clippers. His struggles on defense make it difficult for him to play big minutes.


Stats: 8.0 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 0.6 APG, 0.3 SPG, 50.0% FG, 46.7 3PT%, 100.0 FT%, LAC record (5-5)


Cam Reddish- Knicks

Reddish has begun to gain the trust of the Knicks coaching staff. Although he is not a starter, his minutes in New York have increased since last season when it appeared he may never see consistent minutes for the franchise. Reddish started the season hot with a 22 point effort and a three pointer to force OT against Memphis in their season opener.


Stats: 7.8 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 48.2% FG, 40.9 3PT%, 77.8 FT%, NYK record (4-5)


Justise Winslow- Trailblazers

In year eight, Winslow is playing fantastic defense as usual and is helping the Trailblazers exceed expectations.


Stats: 7.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 36.5% FG, 30.8 3PT%, 70.0 FT%, POR record (6-3)


Jalen Johnson- Hawks

Now in his second year, Johnson is beginning to see some minutes, and has increased his scoring average to just south of five points per game.

Stats: 4.9 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 0.7 APG, 0.4 SPG, 0.1 BPG, 50.0% FG, 21.4 3PT%, 70.0 FT%, ATL record (6-3)



The Rookies

Duke has six rookies this year (including Jack White), and besides Banchero none of them have seen huge minutes so far. However, A.J. Griffin (Hawks) did post a 10 point performance in just a few minutes of playing time. Griffin is averaging 4.6 PPG in five games playedā€”the second most of the six rookies.


Mark Williams (Hornets) is the only other rookie to have played in more than one game. He is averaging 3.7 PPG in three games. The Hornets recently sent him down to the G-League for two game with the Greensboro Swarm where he put up 21 PPG and 15.5 RPG before being called back up.


Trevor Keels (Knicks) and Jack White (Nuggets) are the only two players on two-way contracts of the 25 Blue Devils in the league. Keels has played in exactly one game and White in two, but neither player has scored their first point. Likewise, Wendell Moore Jr. (Timberwolves) has also played in just one game and is yet to score.


Limited Roles

Brooklyn Nets guard Seth Curry has been recovering from an ankle injury and only seen limited time in two games. He scored 3 points in the Net's most recent game.


Vernon Carey Jr.'s biggest challenge in the NBA has followed him to Washington: convincing the coaches to give him a chance. The third-year big man only played in seven games last season, and so far he has only played in one game for the Wizards (he did not score).


In his eleventh year in the NBA, Austin Rivers has taken up a veteran locker room leadership role with the Timberwolves, but in five games of action, he has yet to score.







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