Jalen Johnson, the first freshman and projected lottery student, chooses to leave the rest of the season and will testify for the NBA draft, according to the school.
Johnson, number 13 in the ESPN 100 last season, has had a season up and down with the Blue Devils. He opened his career with 19 points, 19 rebounds and 5 assists against Coppin State, but suffered a foot injury a couple of weeks later and lost three games. After returning to the starting lineup, Johnson has been off the bench for the past three games. He played 23 minutes combined the last two games, scoring just three points in eight minutes against NC State last weekend.
“I appreciate everything that happened to Duke,” Johnson said in a Duke press release Monday night. “The coach (Mike Krzyzewski), my teammates and the program have been nothing but supportive throughout this season, especially during the rehabilitation of my foot injury. My family, my coach and I have made the decision. of not playing the rest of this season. so I can be 100% healthy in preparing for the NBA draft. “
In 13 games, Johnson averaged 11.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists.
“That wasn’t easy, but we think it’s better for my future,” Johnson said. “I have nothing but love for brotherhood and thanking my teammates and all the associates on the show. Duke will always have a special place in my heart and will always be a part of me.”
Johnson has not played a full season since his freshman year of high school. When he was a senior, he left IMG Academy without playing any games before moving on to nine games at Nicolet High School (Wisconsin).
“While we are encouraged by what we are seeing medically, for Jalen’s future, we believe this decision is in his best interest,” Krzyzewski said in the statement. “Ultimately, we are careful with all of our players and will continue to support Jalen as he moves toward his goal of playing professional basketball.”
ESPN has positioned Johnson in 6th place in his NBA draft ranking, the No. 1 small striker in the class.
Myron Medcalf contributed to this report.