Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball Product Delivers Career Scoring Performance in Memphis

All of a sudden, it seems something extra has clicked for former Duke basketball star Mark Williams.
Matt Giles|
Former Duke basketball center Mark Williams
Former Duke basketball center Mark Williams | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

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Duke Blue Devils

Three Duke basketball talents combined for 67 points in the matchup between the Charlotte Hornets (11-29) and Memphis Grizzlies (29-15) on Wednesday night.

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Memphis guard and 2015-17 Blue Devil sharpshooter Luke Kennard poured in 23 points off the bench to help power the 132-120 win over the visiting Hornets. He shot a blistering 7-for-11 beyond the arc.

Meanwhile, Charlotte reserve guard Seth Curry, a 2010-13 Duke basketball shooting extraordinaire, was a perfect 2-for-2 from three, scoring six points in only six minutes of action.

But despite the effort coming in a loss, Hornets starting center and 2020-22 Blue Devil giant Mark Williams was the star of the scoring show in Memphis.

The 7-footer, continuing his climb since returning from injury setbacks that sidelined him the first 20 games of Charlotte's current campaign and the bulk of last season, posted a career-high 38 points, just one week after recording his then-best 31 in a road victory over the Utah Jazz. Williams finished 14-for-18 from the field and 10-for-13 at the charity stripe against the Grizzlies.

Plus, the 23-year-old from Norfolk, Va., who was a McDonald's All American as a prep and No. 15 overall draft pick after consistently improving as a two-year Duke basketball player, chipped in nine rebounds, five assists, and one steal while committing only one turnover across his 33 minutes on the floor.

Through 17 outings in his third season as a pro, 2021-22 ACC Defensive Player of the Year Mark Williams is averaging a career-high 15.7 points, along with 9.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 blocks in only 23.4 minutes per game. He's shooting 63.3 percent from the field and 75.6 percent at the line.

ALSO READ: Unfortunate Injury Update for Former Duke Center Dereck Lively II

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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