In the aftermath of Tyus Jones announcing his intentions of entering the 2015 NBA Draft, the immediate question surrounding the Duke Blue Devils’ basketball program was in regards to its point guard position. More specifically, who would take over PG duties now that senior Quinn Cook and Jones were on their way out?
Durham got its answer on Tuesday after Derryck Thornton, a 6-2 five-star point guard at national powerhouse Findlay Prep (NV), announced that he was reclassifying from the junior class of 2016 into the senior class of 2015, and that he plans on attending Duke upon graduation.
More from the Durham Herald Sun:
With all the personnel losses from its national championship team this month, Duke filled a big void on Tuesday.
Derryck Thornton, a 6-2 point guard from Findley College Prep School in Henderson, Nevada, decided to not only attend Duke but to do so a year early so he can play this upcoming season.
Thornton was already considered one of the top point guards in the class of 2016 but he had enough schoolwork completed to have the option of reclassifying for this class.
After meeting with Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski and associate head coach Jeff Capel on Monday night in Nevada, Thornton decided to do just that. He’s now the No. 3 point guard in the Class of 2015 and the No. 11 player overall, according to ESPN.
At Findlay Prep this season, Thornton played point guard while Arizona signee Allonzo Trier played shooting guard and was named a McDonald’s All-American. The Pilots went 29-3 and averaged 89 points per game.
The 17-year-old Thornton will turn 18 next month which means he would have the ability to leave Duke after one season if he chooses.
That is the choice Tyus Jones and two of his freshman Duke teammates made earlier this month. Jones, Justise Winslow and Jahlil Okafor led Duke to a 34-5 record and the NCAA Tournament championship.
