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Duke basketball grad transfer makes program history

Ryan Young has been an exemplary Duke basketball center in conference play.
Matt Giles|
Duke basketball grad transfer makes program history
Duke basketball grad transfer makes program history

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Duke Blue Devils

Not even legendary Duke basketball big man Christian Laettner matched the stat line that Ryan Young put together for the No. 17 Blue Devils (11-3, 2-1 ACC) in their 86-67 home win over the unranked Florida State Seminoles (4-11, 2-2 ACC) on Saturday.

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Young, a 23-year-old with a year of eligibility after this season, finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds in his 24 minutes off the bench, part of a 46-point bench effort that now stands as the most by any group of Duke reserves in an ACC game in almost 18 years. He shot a perfect 7-for-7 from the field and 6-for-6 from the foul line.

According to the official Twitter account for Duke basketball stats, in doing so, the 6-foot-10, 235-pound grad transfer from Northwestern became the first Blue Devil to ever tally 20 or more points and 10 or more rebounds in any game while shooting 100 percent from the field and the foul line.

But in fairness to two-time national champion Laettner, his 31 points against Kentucky in the 1992 East Regional Final — including perhaps the most replayed game-winner in history — remain the most by any of the six Duke basketball players to have scored 20 or more points in a game without missing a shot (free throws included).

Even so, Laettner collected only seven rebounds in that game, so at least in this respect, Young outdid the man most would still call the all-time No. 1 Blue Devil.

In Duke's three ACC games this season, Ryan Young is averaging 12.0 points and 8.3 rebounds while shooting 14-for-15 from the field and 8-for-8 from the charity stripe. And his 179.8 offensive rating leads the conference.

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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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