After an impressive postseason showing in 2021-22, there was plenty of chatter on whether sophomore guard Jeremy Roach would be staying with the Blue Devils or declaring for the 2022 NBA Draft. The 6-foot-2 Leesburg, Va., native dismissed the latter theory Friday, announcing via Instagram that he will be returning to Duke for his junior season.
High expectations were set for the sophomore guard heading into his second year. Roach was a leading player for the Blue Devils, starting 27 of the group’s 39 games and averaging 8.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists per contest.
Roach started the year hot before seeing a shift in early ACC play, when he began playing as the top reserve off the bench. Even so, Roach made do and eventually found his way back to leading performances, dropping 15 points on North Carolina in the regular-season finale and then 19 against Syracuse in the ACC tournament.
Roach’s showing throughout the conference tournament punched his ticket as a starter throughout the NCAA tournament, in which he was crucial to Duke’s triumphs. The guard averaged 11.8 points, 1.4 steals, 4.0 assists and 2.8 rebounds at the Big Dance and was named to the NCAA West Region All-Tournament Team.
A return to the Blue Devils should only increase the St. Paul VI product’s draft prospects, with his successful season-closing showings a potential sign of what’s to come. With new head coach Jon Scheyer at the helm and the top-ranked 2022 recruiting class coming in, Roach has the opportunity to be a leader and to succeed as a veteran on the 2022-23 Blue Devil squad.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.