By: Ben McCormick
July 25, 2022
Over the last few weeks, a number of former, current, and future Blue Devils have been playing in international competition. Former Blue Devil and NBA player Marques Bolden suited up for Indonesia in the FIBA Asia Cup, as did incoming freshman Tyrese Proctor for his home country of Australia. Current rising sophomore walk-on Stanley Borden played for Portugal in the FIBA U20 European Championship as well.
Borden played solid minutes for the Portuguese team, averaging 6.7 PPG, 1.2 APG, and 7.2 RPG (good for the eleventh highest rebounding average in the tournament). Borden's ability to compete on the international stage shows that he may be able to compete for a scholarship as an upperclassman in Durham. Not only that, the fan favorite may be able to earn some minutes by the end of his time at Duke.
Marques Bolden had quite the run for Indonesia. Bolden averaged a tournament second best 21.8 PPG, fourth best 11.3 RPG, and tournament best 2.8 BPG. His impressive showing culminated vs. Saudi Arabia when he posted 32 points, 16 rebounds, and 6 blocks. The former Blue Devil has really come into his own on the international stage after three seasons at Duke and a brief stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers as a two-way player.
Incoming freshman Tyrese Proctor showed signs of brilliance for Australia as he played alongside former NBA lottery pick Thon Maker. Proctor averaged 10.5 PPG (26th best), 2.5 RPG, and 1.8 APG as Australia went on to defend their FIBA Asia Cup title over Lebanon on Sunday 75-73.
Duke's fifth starting position is still very much in the air for next season. Many think it will be either Jacob Grandison, the graduate transfer from Illinois, or Proctor. Tyrese's consistent minutes and numbers in international play this summer show that he will be a force to be reckoned with alongside Jeremy Roach in the backcourt next season.
Sources: https://www.fiba.basketball/asiacup/2022/ , https://www.fiba.basketball/europe/u20/2022/player/Stanley-Borden
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