Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball Forward Remains Out Versus Clemson

Despite rarely being at full strength of late, Duke basketball has continued to extend its winning streak.
Matt Giles|
Duke basketball forward Mason Gillis
Duke basketball forward Mason Gillis | Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

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Duke basketball graduate forward Mason Gillis did not travel to Syracuse for Wednesday night's 83-54 win over the Orange. He was out with illness. And the 6-foot-6 reserve transfer out of Purdue remains out of commission for Saturday's road bout against the Clemson Tigers (18-5, 10-2 ACC).

ALSO READ: Duke Head Coach Sizzles at Clemson in Blue Devil Trust Game

The Duke basketball social media team announced Gillis' absence late Saturday afternoon, roughly an hour and a half before the No. 2-ranked Blue Devils (20-2, 12-0 ACC) and Tigers tip off in Littlejohn Coliseum at 6:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Once again, the 24-year-old didn't make the trip with the squad.

Across Duke's past six outings, Jon Scheyer's third bunch has been at full strength only once. That coincided with the 87-70 home win over the archrival UNC Tar Heels last Saturday night, as reserve forward Maliq Brown returned from his four-game absence due to a knee injury.

Gillis saw action in all 21 contests prior to his illness. The 2024 Final Four participant — as the Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year — is averaging 4.8 points and 2.5 rebounds per game this season, shooting 46.7 percent from the field, 36.4 percent from downtown, and 83.3 percent at the foul line.

After facing the Tigers, the Blue Devils will return to Durham and gear up for a home clash against the Cal Golden Bears (12-11, 5-7 ACC) at 9 p.m. ET Wednesday (ACC Network).

ALSO READ: Ex-Duke Center Awaits First-Class Blue Devils at Clemson

Stay tuned to Duke Blue Devils On SI for more Duke basketball news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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