Unlike Dereck Lively II and Dariq Whitehead, “one-and-done” after their Draft selections on June 22 (12th in Dallas and 22nd in Brooklyn, respectively), but like Kyle Filipowski, Tyrese ProctorDuke’s Australian point guard, decided to return for a second season in the ranks of the Blue Devils.
” It’s the best possible decision for my career, both now and in the future.. With coach [Jon] Scheyer, we share the same vision: that we still have things to accomplish. The staff will continue to push me up. “, he had thus declared, when announcing his return to the ranks of Duke.
Committed to Duke a year ahead, the Sydney native delivered a satisfying first NCAA season, with 9.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.6 steals per game as the starting point guard. Convincing beginnings, which however called for an even more qualitative sequel, before thinking of the NBA.
” I got good feedback from the NBA, but not the feedback I was expecting either.. So kind of convinced me to come back, although I probably could have gone for a selection at the end of the first round if I had committed to the pre-Draft process », explains Tyrese Proctor. ” And I put things into perspective by telling myself that I had arrived a year early, so I was in a good position considering my age But I had the feeling that I still had things to prove, and then I also wanted to live a full season as a leader, a season during which I really take the reins of our attack. »
The season of the explosion
At the dawn of a season which should be that of crossing a milestone on an individual basis, the young Australian is working hard to prepare his “sophomore” campaign as well as possible with the Blue Devils.
” This summer, my workload is greater than last year. I have a full summer, so I can fully concentrate on my individual progress », he explains thus, who arrived on the Durham campus late in the off-season last year, due to administrative delays related to his passport. ” I mainly work on details, which will help me for the next transition, from the NCAA to the NBA. For example my supports, my changes of rhythm, but also game readings, learning to be a little more patient with the ball in the hands. And also my aggressiveness, I think I could have been more aggressive last season. »
Not to mention outside shooting, an area that playmakers must master in the modern NBA, and in which he nevertheless capped at a small 32% success rate last season.
” I chain a lot of repetitions, both out of dribble and in ‘catch-and-shoot. Again, the volume of work in this area is key. “, he adds.
Like many young leaders on the university circuit, Tyrese Proctor therefore seems ready to cross this famous milestone between his first and second seasons. The Duke leader is now clearly focused on the 2024 Draft, which promises to be much less dense than the 2023 edition, particularly in his position as leader…
See you in the “lottery” in June 2024?
