Duke's Harry Giles could debut in December, Coach K says

Duke freshman Harry Giles, who tore both of his ACLs in high school, could make his Duke debut in December, according to Coach K.

NEW YORK — Harry Giles may make his long-anticipated debut for Duke before the end of the year.

Speaking to a group of reporters after the No. 5 Blue Devils’ 84–74 win over No. 21 Florida at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night, coach Mike Krzyewski said that Giles has been practicing without contact but could see live game action in December.

“I’m hoping before Christmas, those two games we have [against Tennessee State on Dec. 19 and Elon on Dec. 21],” Krzyzewski said. “I don’t want to put a gun to his head, like you have to do it. We’ll see how he does during the exam period.”

Giles, a 6' 10" 240-pound forward, was the consensus No. 2 recruit in the 2016 class, according to RSCIhoops.com. He tore both of his ACLs in high school and hasn’t played live basketball in more than a year. After undergoing an arthroscopic procedure in October, he was expected to miss at least six weeks.

“I don’t want to make a mistake and bring him back too quickly,” Krzyzewski said.