Skip to main content

Report: Duke basketball contacts young guard in transfer portal

The Duke basketball staff might anticipate a need for more backcourt depth.

Washington guard Keyon Menifield announced his entry into the transfer portal on Tuesday. Then on Wednesday, The Athletic's Tobias Bass reported that Duke basketball is among the growing list of programs that have been in contact with the 6-foot-1, 150-pound speedy playmaker.

It's interesting because most foresee the 2023-24 Blue Devil roster as relatively stacked already at both guard positions.

After all, Tyrese Proctor, who emerged as Duke's primary floor general as a freshman, revealed on Monday his plan to return next season. Meanwhile, Jon Scheyer and his staff are set to welcome two five-star rookie guards: Jared McCain and Caleb Foster.

And barring a transfer out of Durham, the Blue Devils will welcome back junior Jaylen Blakes and sophomore Jaden Schutt. That's not to mention the still-possible return of 2022-23 Duke basketball captain Jeremy Roach for a senior campaign.

RELATED: When to expect another Duke player announcement

Menifield, likely just exploring all of his options at this point, is a freshman with three years of remaining eligibility but turned 20 in February. So he could become a valuable long-term contributor wherever he lands.

The Michigan native arrived in Seattle as only a three-star recruit at No. 217 overall on the 247Sports 2022 Composite. He eventually became a full-time starter, though, and averaged 10.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.1 steals per game for a Huskies squad that finished with a 16-16 overall record and at No. 8 in the Pac-12 standings.

Also worth noting, he ended up on the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team.

According to Bass, the other 13 schools Keyon Menifield has talked to since entering the transfer portal are Arkansas, Alabama, Cincinnati, Georgetown, Grand Canyon, Iowa State, Louisville, Mississippi State, Ohio State, Oklahoma, St. John's, Tennessee, and Xavier.

However, Menifield has noted that returning to Washington is still an option he's considering.

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country for daily Duke basketball content.