Chase Jeter
- Year: Freshman
- Height: 6-foot-10
- Position: forward/center
Game Breakdown: Unlike fellow freshman Brandon Ingram and Derryck Thornton, Jeter committed to play for the Blue Devils before the start of his senior year of high school. The McDonald's All-American was named the 2015 Nevada Gatorade Basketball Player of the Year after leading Bishop Gorman to its fourth-straight Division I state title. Jeter averaged 16.2 points and 10.6 rebounds per game in his senior campaign and solidified himself as an athletic big man that is capable of scoring near the basket. The Las Vegas native runs the floor extremely well and has a go-to hook shot on the low block that can make him a load for opposing teams to handle.
Role on the team: Stuck behind senior Amile Jefferson and graduate student Marshall Plumlee on Duke's roster, Jeter doesn't figure to crack the starting lineup for the Blue Devils. But the athletic big man will certainly find his way onto the court with the team's second-unit and will provide much-needed energy off the bench. With his size and quickness, Jeter is capable of developing into an above-average defender and could provide valuable minutes if Duke's starters get hit with foul trouble. One of the biggest keys for Jeter will be developing into a better rebounder, which is an area the Blue Devils could need help in this season. Although the freshman still needs to grow into his body, Jeter is simply too skilled to stay on the sidelines. Expect head coach Mike Krzyzewski to use the non-conference slate to play Jeter with multiple combinations on the floor in order to help the freshman find his niche in Duke's rotation.
NBA comparison: The skilled big man has yet to develop enough of an offensive game to be a reliable scoring option for the team. But with a high motor and tremendous quickness for a big man, Jeter is reminiscent of Robin Lopez, who has excelled in the post throughout his career in the NBA. Although Jeter may not sport a similar hairstyle as Lopez, both are similar in their ability to put up points near the basket on solid looks from their point guards.
Projected Stats: 6.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.5 BPG
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.