Leaving a Legacy: Jeremy Roach’s Departure from Duke and the Pursuit of New Opportunities
The last player standing from Mike Krzyzewski’s last Blue Devils team, Duke guard Jeremy Roach, announced on social media Tuesday night that he would be entering the transfer portal and declaring for the 2024 NBA Draft while still eligible to play in college.
Due to the COVID-19 epidemic, Roach, who averaged 14 points and 3.3 assists per game this season while shooting a career-best 42.9 percent from 3-point range, only has one season remaining in eligibility.
As one of the most influential Duke players in history, Roach should be recognized for his part in bridging the Krzyzewski and Jon Scheyer periods. Prior to his return to the starting lineup in March 2022, when Duke had its best season since 1995 and missed the NCAA Tournament, he spent the majority of his first two seasons in Durham as a part-time starter. That season included his freshman year.
In the round of 32, Roach delivered a game-winning dagger against Michigan State, helping the Blue Devils hold off Texas Tech in the Sweet 16 match. Roach and guard Jaylen Blakes, who also signed on through the transfer portal this month, were the only members of Krzyzewski’s final squad to remain on Scheyer’s opening roster following the Final Four. Roach was named team captain right away, and he shared the role with Tyrese Proctor and Ryan Young this season.
But for Scheyer’s second team, which made it to the Elite Eight, Roach had unquestionably his best collegiate year. Roach’s new career mark of three was the high point of his senior season. Midway through his rookie season, Scheyer made a significant move by moving Proctor to point guard and moving Roach off the ball. With that new backcourt lineup, Duke quickly rolled through ten straight games, winning the ACC Tournament as well. With a little over 8.5 percent improvement in his 3-point percentage this season, Roach finished as Duke’s third-leading scorer, behind Kyle Filipowski and Jared McCain.
With his extensive college experience and 3-point shooting ability, the former five-star recruit, who attended Paul VI High School (the same school that turned out Trevor Keels and 2024 signees Patrick Ngongba and Darren Harris), could be a highly sought-after commodity in the transfer portal.
Duke player Jeremy Roach says he is going to use the transfer portal, keep his college eligibility, and declare for the NBA Draft.
One of the key figures in Duke basketball history for the way he bridged the Mike Krzyzewski and Jon Scheyer eras. pic.twitter.com/HehLTm1WeK
— Brendan Marks (@BrendanRMarks) April 17, 2024
(Photo: Grant Halverson / Getty Images)