DURHAM, N.C. – With one giant leap, Cassius Stanley knocked Zion Williamson out of the Duke record book. His familiar No. 1 jersey now belongs to Vernon Carey Jr.
The Blue Devils’ latest crop of freshmen is embracing what seems like a tough job – following Williamson and his star-studded class in Durham.
“We feel that we’re a totally different team than last year,” freshman Wendell Moore said Monday. “Yeah, they had the star power in the three or four guys who left, but we also have that same star power.”
Turning the roster over is nothing new for the Blue Devils, who annually send one group of one-year players to the NBA only to bring in another collection right behind them. Seventeen of the program’s 19 one-and-dones have passed through since 2011, including at least three in each of the last three seasons.
Duke’s Tre Jones (3) laughs with Joey Baker (13), Mike Buckmire (51), Cassius Stanley (2), bottom left, and Wendell Moore (0) during an NCAA college basketball media day at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, N.C., Monday, Sept. 23, 2019. (Ethan Hyman/The News & Observer via AP)The current group faces a unique challenge – creating its own identity with the memories of Zionmania still so fresh.