Duke men's basketball 2016-17 player review: Antonio Vrankovic

Antonio Vrankovic

• Year: Sophomore
• Height: 7-feet
• Position: Center
• This year's stat line: 2.5 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 0.4 APG
• The Blue Zone's projected stat line: 1.0 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 0.5 APG

Season breakdown: With the Blue Devils lacking a consistent interior presence outside of co-captain Amile Jefferson, Vrankovic had a chance to step to the forefront as freshmen Harry Giles and Marques Bolden battled injuries and inconsistency. But the team's coaching staff rarely seemed comfortable putting the sophomore on the court as Vrankovic was glued to the bench for much of the season and only saw action if Duke was faced with heavy foul trouble. 

Vrankovic still lacks any semblance of a refined post game, but flashed the ability to battle for boards and compete on defense. The Delray Beach, Fla., native recorded his first double-digit rebound game of his career when he grabbed 10 boards against Marist in the team's season opener. Vrankovic then scored eight points apiece against Appalachian State and Maine, before spending the remainder of nonconference play and much of the ACC slate on the sidelines. 

He played six meaningful minutes in a narrow win at Wake Forest Jan. 28 with most of the team in foul trouble and scored two points, but did not get off the bench for all of February.

Results relative to expectations: The presence of Bolden, Giles and classmate Chase Jeter suggested that Vrankovic would have a tough time cracking the Blue Devil rotation this season. But during the big man's time on the floor, the sophomore looked slightly more comfortable with the speed of the college game and aware of his role in the post compared to his freshman season. 

Coming to Durham as an unheralded three-star prospect, many wondered how Vrankovic would fit into Duke's long-term plans. After two years with the Blue Devils, it remains to be seen whether the center will begin to make strides and get on the court or be forced to spectate from the bench once again.