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Duke freshman Dereck Lively II says he'll enter NBA draft

DURHAM, N.C. -- Duke big man Dereck Lively II is entering the NBA draft after one college season.

Lively announced his decision in a social-media post Tuesday.

The lean 7-foot-1 freshman averaged 5.2 points and 5.4 rebounds in 34 games with 27 starts. But he came on in the second half of the year as a rim protector and key to the Blue Devils' defense, averaging 2.4 blocks on the year to rank ninth nationally.

The highlight came in a home rivalry win against North Carolina in a game that captured how his value was well beyond any scoring production.