As the Blue Devils’ season comes to an end, the Blue Zone is here to break down every player’s performance this year, and compare it to our preseason predictions. We've already looked at TJ Power and Sean Stewart. Next up is junior guard Jaylen Blakes:
Jaylen Blakes
Year: Junior
Height: 6-foot-2
Position: Guard
This year’s stat line: 9.2 MPG, 1.8 PPG, 0.8 RPG, 0.4 APG
The Blue Zone’s projected stat line: 4.8 MPG, 2.4 PPG, 1.2 RPG, 1.1 APG
Season breakdown: While Jaylen Blakes certainly had a quieter season compared to his sophomore campaign, the junior guard provided quality depth and defensive effort in a very crowded backcourt for the Blue Devils. With the arrival of breakout freshmen Jared McCain and Caleb Foster, Blakes struggled at points throughout the season to see a good amount of court time as veterans Jeremy Roach and Tyrese Proctor returned to lead the team. However, head coach Jon Scheyer did not hesitate to call on the junior in key defensive moments or when in need of an energy shift. The Somerset, N.J., native brought boundless energy and hustle, scrapping for loose balls and rebounds at any given moment.
While most fans may recall Blakes’ scary fall against James Madison as the most memorable moment of his season, the 6-foot-2 guard also dropped 15 points in a season high against Charlotte and played considerable minutes against N.C. State in the Elite Eight.
Results relative to expectations: While Blakes’ contributions on the stat sheet look relatively small, the defensive-minded guard served as a prominent glue piece for a backcourt that often had pieces missing in rotation. With both Proctor and Foster missing time at various points of the season, the junior stepped up to help carry the load of the backcourt. His high energy and focus helped set a tone towards the end of season as the team increased its physicality in March. Blakes did well to fill his role as a bench player and helped lead the team with his experience and attitude.
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