Duke freshman Dereck Lively II says he’ll enter 2023 NBA Draft

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Duke big man Dereck LivelyII is entering the NBA draft after one college season.

Lively announced his decision in a social-media postTuesday.

The lean 7-foot-1 freshman averaged 5.2 points and 5.4 reboundsin 34 games with 27 starts. But he came on in the second half ofthe 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 Carolinain a game that captured how his value was well beyond any scoringproduction. He had just four points in that one, but was a forcewith 14 rebounds and eight blocked shots.

That was part of a four-game stretch in which he had 20 blockedshots, and he finished the year with 23 rebounds and eight blocksin two games in the NCAA Tournament.

Lively arrived as the No. 2 recruit in 247sports’ overalltop-ranked recruiting class for Jon Scheyer’s first season with theBlue Devils. He helped Duke surge down the stretch to win theAtlantic Coast Conference Tournament.

Lively joins fellow freshman guard Dariq Whitehead in announcingplans to enter the NBA draft.