In honor of the nine former Duke players (Grayson Allen, Marvin Bagley III, Wendell Carter Jr., Trevon Duval, Harry Giles III, Frank Jackson, Amile Jefferson, Matt Jones and Gary Trent Jr., ) who took part in the 2018 NBA Summer League, The Blue Zone will rank the nine best plays from Blue Devils in the July action.
9. Amile Jefferson swat
Although this is a pretty run-of-the-mill rejection, Jefferson still makes our list. The 6’8” former Duke captain demonstrates the stellar interior defense he was known for in college during this play.
8. Trevon Duval spin move
After unexpectedly going undrafted in last month’s NBA Draft, Duval reminds us why he was a top recruit in the first place here: elite ball-handling and athleticism.
7. Grayson Allen pregame windmill
While this dunk is perhaps the most impressive exhibit of athleticism from a Blue Devil in the Summer League, this is a ranking of the best plays, not dunks. Perhaps Allen’s ridiculous ups—he had the fourth-highest standing vertical and max vertical leap—will make him a great candidate for the NBA Slam Dunk Contest.
6. Harry Giles gets to the hole
Harry Giles actually playing basketball alert! After sitting out his senior year of high school, missing nearly half of his lone season at Duke, and redshirting his first year in the NBA, the über athletic forward looks explosive once again.
5. Grayson Allen one-handed slam
Ah, so those vertical numbers actually do mean something in game! Allen gets a bit of help from a Michael Jordan-esque push-off to accelerate to the rim.
4. Wendell Carter Jr. rejection
Oh my. Don’t go into Carter Jr.’s paint if you are unwilling to pay your dues.
3. Marvin Bagley III posterizes Moe Wagner
Let me preface that the final three spots are all just utterly disrespectful. Hopefully Bagley III sent a gift basket to Wagner’s hotel room.
2. Gary Trent Jr. sends Robert Johnson back to school
Honestly, I just feel bad for Robert Johnson here. Not only did Trent Jr. inbound the ball off of his back, he also hit a jumper over him. Yikes.
1. Wendell Carter Jr. bullies Ante Zizic
This is just my absolute favorite play. Poor Zizic gets his hopes and dreams snatched by Carter Jr. before he can even release his shot.
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