As a busy year in sports winds to a close, The Blue Zone will count down the top 10 Duke stories of 2013. Check back throughout the week as we review the most memorable moments of the year.
6. The Return, part III
When Duke ran out on the floor for its first game of the 2012-13 season, someone was missing. Andre Dawkins, who had played in 109 games in his career, was not going to be playing during his senior season.
“I’m going to get an assist from Andre every time I give him the ball,” guard Quinn Cook said. “I have the most confidence he’s going to knock the 3-pointer down. I feel like he’s the best shooter in the country.”
But during his freshman year, tragedy struck. En route to see Dawkins pay in a Dec. 5, 2009 home game against St. John's, Dawkins' mother, Tamara Hill, and sister, Lacey, were involved in a car accident in West Virginia. Lacey died from her injuries and Hill was left in critical condition.
He took some time off to grieve, but continued to play throughout his freshman year and the following two seasons. But during all of this Dawkins fell into a bout of depression and his performance on the court deteriorated rapidly. That caused Krzyzewski to dismiss him from the team in 2012.
Dawkins took time away from basketball. He played golf. He got his degree. He starred in a theatrical production on campus. But one year later, he was ready to return to the court.
“Him sitting out last year really showed him how much he loves the game and how much he missed playing,” Cook said.
Even after not scoring a single point in the Blue Devils’ two exhibition games this season, Dawkins was back and ready to make an impact.
“A lot of my success in this game is going to be based off the way I shoot the ball,” Dawkins said. “The big thing for me is keeping that strength a strength. For me that’s shooting, and that’s why I work so hard on it—to be the best shooter.”
But the 2013 version of Dawkins is a more complete player than the Blue Devils ever had during his first three collegiate seasons. He hustles harder and is more vocal on the court, and his often-maligned efforts on the defensive end have made a stark improvement.
Dawkins overcame the odds to reclaim his spot on this season’s squad and has shown that he is not along for the ride—he wants to help his team win.
“It’s better than sitting on the couch all day,” he said.
Check out the rest of The Blue Zone's top 10 stories of 2013:
3. The Comeback—Duke lacrosse rallies from 2-4 start, five-goal deficit to win national championship
4. The Commitments—Building Duke's monster 2014 recruiting class on the hardwood
5. The Expansion—ACC grows to 15 teams
6. The Return, part III—Andre Dawkins makes his long-awaited return to the Blue Devils
7. The Return, part II—Coach K commits to Team USA and Duke through 2016
8. The Return, part I—Ryan Kelly goes for 36 against Miami in his first game back from injury
9. The Leg—Kevin Ware sparks Louisville to Elite Eight victory against Blue Devils
10. The Pick—Sean Renfree becomes Duke's first NFL draft selection since 2004
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