Former Blue Devil All-American Chelsea Gray named to U.S. Olympic women's basketball team
By Em Adler | June 22, 2021After much anticipation, the United States Olympic team was finally announced—including one familiar face.
After much anticipation, the United States Olympic team was finally announced—including one familiar face.
Last summer, I thought the Blue Devils wouldn’t see an NCAA tournament until after I’d graduate. But now, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if I’m watching them in the Final Four next April.
And, for their last trick, the Blue Devils will pull another wing out of the transfer portal.
The most-anticipated domino of them all has fallen.
For the second time in the past five days, the Blue Devils have added to their frontcourt.
Finklea-Guity announced her transfer to Duke Wednesday afternoon, making her the team’s third transfer in the past eight days and its fourth overall this year.
A former top-50 prospect and Big 12 All-Freshman Team selectee, Celeste Taylor averaged 12.3 points and 4.9 rebounds on 35.3% shooting and 26.2% usage.
After weeks of rumors circulating about Duke’s activity on the transfer market, the Blue Devils secured their first transfer add of the offseason, and second of the year as a whole.
As of today, Duke is a finalist for seven top-50 recruits in the class of 2022, in addition to four-stars Ashlon Jackson and Shay Bollin, who have already committed.
A month and a half ago, it was reported that three Blue Devils were transferring out of Duke. Now, that number is up to five.
When the Blue Devils next take the court, they’ll be missing some key upperclassmen.
On Dec. 17, Louisville guard Nyah Green entered the transfer portal. Just over two weeks later, after “over 30 schools” had contacted the 2019 McDonald’s All-American and former five-star recruit, she committed to Duke.
While Duke may have opted out of the 2020-21 season, Kara Lawson continues to pick up wins on the recruiting trail.
Duke didn’t waste any time starting 2021 on the right foot.
More than two decades after the school nearly got her to don Duke blue, Kara Lawson would be leading the Blue Devils into their next era.
Duke women’s basketball began the 2019-20 season in disappointing fashion, but won 11 of its last 14 games to storm back into contention.
"The student-athletes on the Duke women’s basketball team have made the difficult decision to conclude their current season due to safety concerns,” Michael Schoenfeld, Vice President for Public Affairs & Government Relations and Chief Communications Officer for Duke University, said in the release.
Four days after postponing a game against Miami, Duke is completely shutting down team activities for the time being.
Duke women's basketball had been lucky enough to play its first four games this season without an interruption. That was bound to change eventually.
Head coach Kara Lawson gave little in the way of clues as to what Duke’s playbook would look like this season. Three games in, there’s film to look at, and we can get a sense of what the team prefers to run.