The Duke Blue Devils are about to lose a player who would become a top 2 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.
Yet, Duke will parade the most loaded team in College Basketball next season and to validate their success, five-star center Marques Bolden just chose Duke over rival Kentucky. That was virtually the battle for the best recruiting class of the year and Duke got it.
The announcement was made in his high school (DeSoto in Texas).
"I'm glad to announce at this time that next year I'll be attending Duke," said Bolden. "It was really a tough decision. This decision could really determine the rest of my life. I'm putting my future in these coaches hands so I have to be sure that I can trust them."
He concluded: "The deciding factor was the relationship I had with the coaching staff. I've talked to a lot of coaching staffs over the years and I felt the most at home with the Duke coaching staff."
Speaking of the Duke coaching staff, ESPN added more of Bolden's statements.
"My goal is not only to be drafted in the NBA but to play in the NBA," Bolden said. "I feel Duke will best help me reach my goal."
He added: "Coach K has been coaching and has been extremely successful at the highest level longer than I have been alive. He told me to trust him, and I do."
Jeff Eisenberg of Yahoo Sports described him as "a long, mobile post player who runs the floor well, protects the rim and scores effectively with his back to the basket." His numbers (23.3 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.6 blocks) brought a state title to DeSoto. He was also a McDonald's All-American and was recruited by Alabama, Baylor, Oklahoma, TCU, giants Kansas, Kentucky and eventual winner Duke.
How does the Bolden recruitment affect the Blue Devils roster? It already looked scary but now the frontline rotation is insane. Bolden might even come off the bench behind Amile Jefferson returning from injury. Harry Giles and Javin DeLaurier will join Chase Jeter at power forward. Then there's Jayson Tatum who may have to slide down at the three. Giles and Tatum are top three recruits this year.
To reiterate the point, Duke was already the pre-season favorite even before Bolden committed. There's even less of an argument now.