Just hours before the 2022 NBA Draft decision deadline on Wednesday night, Duke freshman Trevor Keels was “torn” on whether to remain in the draft or return to school, according to Stadium’s Jeff Goodman.
Duke guard Trevor Keels is torn on a decision whether to remain in the NBA Draft or return to Durham, sources told @Stadium.
Not an easy one for Keels.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) June 1, 2022
Drew Timme and Trevor Keels entered the week as the biggest stay-or-go NBA draft decisions remaining. And with two and a half hours to go before the withdrawal deadline, neither player has announced a decision.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) June 2, 2022
Well, Keels has made his decision just ahead of the deadline buzzer, and it’s to stay in the NBA Draft:
Duke freshman Trevor Keels has decided to remain in the NBA Draft, source told @Stadium. Was a difficult decision for Keels — who was torn on whether to leave Duke after one season.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) June 2, 2022
Keels also worked out for the Charlotte Hornets earlier on Wednesday, and “sure sounded like someone who’s looking forward to the NBA Draft,” according to Rod Boone of the Charlotte Observer.
Duke's Trevor Keels worked out for the #Hornets and sure sounded like someone who's looking forward to the NBA Draft. Deadline to withdrawn and return to college is 11:59 p.m. tonight
Also, what did Davidson's Luka Brajkovic think about his own session?https://t.co/bfMujnajtE
— Rod Boone (@rodboone) June 1, 2022
The 6’5″ shooting guard averaged 11.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.2 steals in his freshman season at Duke. He’s still just 18 years old, so NBA organizations may feel there’s quite a bit of untapped potential in his game.
Now, while Keels is still a raw talent, there’s the question of if he should’ve stayed in school and continued refining his game at Duke. However, he’s a projected first-round pick, so it’s hard to turn down that money and opportunity.
Duke's Trevor Keels, a projected first round pick, is keeping his name in the 2022 NBA Draft, a source told ESPN. pic.twitter.com/MgzpBeAYch
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 2, 2022
It’s also a tough loss for Jon Scheyer and Duke to begin the post-Krzyzewski era.
Here’s a sampling of how the hoops world is reacting to Keels’ decision to remain in the NBA Draft instead of returning to Duke:
Trevor Keels is going to get some kind of guaranteed money, whether that’s a rookie minimum or a two-way, so it’s hard to blame him.
I think if he came back, improved as a shooter and proved he has an actual left hand, he could’ve been a mid-first rounder. Tough decision. https://t.co/lwyISuk3dX
— Rob Dauster (@RobDauster) June 2, 2022
Keels’ decision came down to the wire, but guaranteed money is a tough thing to pass up. Leaves Duke hurting for shooting in year one of the Scheyer era. https://t.co/dZjxNIcpyP
— Kevin Sweeney (@CBB_Central) June 2, 2022
One last thing on Trevor Keels:
Wish him nothing but the best. Was always gracious with his time and honest with the media. Accountable, funny, and projected tons of confidence in himself and his teammates. Hope he, and the rest of Duke's NBA hopefuls, have successful careers.
— Brendan Marks (@BrendanRMarks) June 2, 2022
June 1, 2022.
Honeymoon with Head Coach Scheyer is over.
Trevor Keels gone. AJ Green not an option. Time to go find a difference maker.
— Ball Durham (@Ball_Durham) June 2, 2022
Keels is gonna be a great defender in the NBA. Knew it was slim that he stayed but still a brutal loss for Duke. https://t.co/Q2PfyhoOZJ
— Chip Murphy (@ChipMurphy7) June 2, 2022
