Duke coach Jon Scheyer endured sweeping changes to his roster following the team’s exit from last season’s NCAA Tournament, saying goodbye to all but two rotation players.
After watching Kyle Filipowski and Jared McCain depart Durham for the NBA and seven other players elect to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, Scheyer began to reshape his roster with a set of priorities at the heart of each move.
“Everything we’ve done since March 31, since losing that Elite Eight game, has been incredibly intentional,” Scheyer told ESPN last week. “Our team is not just getting the best talent but looking analytically what the fits are going to be, including from a culture standpoint. And then blending talent in different roles, it was important to have the best fit and be really intentional in how we put it all together.”
On the court ability and physical attributes were one thing, but the Duke head coach also targeted players that were experienced and willing to fit in as elite role players around another haul of talented freshmen.
With that in mind Duke was the first program to reach out and target Purdue’s Mason Gillis, the reigning Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year after the 6-foot-6, 225 pound forward elected to enter the transfer portal.
As a senior, Gillis averaged 6.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists per contest in 2023-24, while playing all 39 games for the Boilermakers, who advanced to the national championship game. Along the way the New Castle, Indiana product shot 46.8% (58-of-124) from long distance, ranking sixth nationally in 3-point percentage among players that made at least 50 triples, and connected on 86.0% from the free-throw line.
That kind of production and winning experience will be a key component as the Blue Devils look to capitalize on what could be a big season in 2024-25 led by freshman phenom Cooper Flagg and a loaded roster where Gillis will be relied on to provide toughness, leadership, shooting, and more.
According to CBS College Basketball Insider Jon Rothstein, Scheyer’s pursuit of Gillis for that sort of role was a wise choice as the former Boilermaker projects to be one of the country’s top glue guys.
“[Gillis] was a key utility player for Purdue last season when the Boilers advanced all the way to the national title game and he’ll hope to have a similar role this season in Durham,” wrote Rothstein this week. “Capable of stretching the defense on offense or guarding the low post on defense, the 6-foot-6 Gillis is as comfortable in his own skin as any player in college basketball.”
Duke and Gillis will open the 2024 preseason on Saturday, October 19th against Division II opponent Lincoln (Pa.) University. The Lions are coached by former ACC and NC State standout Julius Hodge.
