Duke tends to send players out fairly high in the draft. Think Zion Williamson, Jayson Tatum, RJ Barrett and Paolo Banchero, among many others.
Not all though.
Duke has seen players like Gary Trent taken in the second round and others who weren’t drafted at all. Lance Thomas, Seth Curry and Quinn Cook all established themselves as players who earned considerable respect from teammates and opponents despite not being drafted.
And then there’s Harry Giles.
Compared to Chris Webber in high school, multiple knee injuries have cost Giles dearly. He left Duke after his freshman year and was a #1 pick, but he’s had trouble sticking.
He was one of the better free agents remaining and things were looking a bit iffy. Now, though, his home state Charlotte Hornets have signed him to a one-year deal.
He’ll join Brotherhood members Curry and Mark Williams in Charlotte, and given how much Charlotte struggled last season, finishing just 21-61, there is opportunity. Williams should play, as should Brandon Miller, but 21-61 means opportunities are there for new players, so here’s hoping Giles can establish a role and build on it.