On Monday, Wendell Carter Jr. turned the Duke exit wave into a full wipeout. The freshman center joined three of his freshmen teammates in declaring for the NBA Draft. With Grayson Allen graduating, Mike Krzyzewski’s entire starting lineup from a season ago is now gone.
Around these parts, we have become accustomed to such scenarios. Kentucky Coach John Calipari has lived off five-star prospects who succeed and proceed to the NBA green room. In recent years, however, Coach K has paddled the same high-stakes waters. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Dating back to Corey Maggette in 1999, Carter is the 16th Dukie to stamp himself one-and-done.