Duke basketball (Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports)
A Duke basketball product capitalized on the chance to prove his NBA value.
Four minutes and 48 seconds is all Charlotte Hornets big man Vernon Carey Jr. required on Friday night to score more points (nine) than he had in his entire NBA career entering the game (eight). Drawing the first start of his career, the Duke basketball one-and-done shined at the level that he so often did on his way to becoming the 2019-20 USBWA Freshman of the Year.
Yes, the 20-year-old rookie’s efforts came in an eventual 130-115 loss by the Hornets (27-28) at the Brooklyn Nets (38-18).