Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball: Whatever Happened to Cassius Stanley?

Duke basketball one-and-done Cassius Stanley has been out of the NBA for about two years but is now heating up overseas.
Matt Giles|
Photo credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

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Duke Blue Devils

Following an ACC All-Freshman campaign for the 2019-20 Duke basketball team, former four-star California prep Cassius Stanley got drafted No. 54 overall. The 6-foot-6 guard, among the all-time bounciest Blue Devils as a willing acrobatic showman in Durham, then inked a two-way contract with the Indiana Pacers.

Stanley played 24 times for the Pacers as a rookie. However, he averaged only 1.5 points in 3.9 minutes per game off the bench. After becoming an unrestricted free agent the following summer, he headed to the G League yet saw limited action in nine games for the 2021-22 Detroit Pistons via several call-ups on 10-day deals.

Last season, though, Stanley never made it out of the G League. In July, he had a couple of promising appearances in NBA Summer League play with the Denver Nuggets, although no further interest from the league materialized from those efforts.

Now, the 24-year-old is in his first season of international ball, suiting up for Hapoel Afula (6-9) in the Israeli Basketball Premier League.

He didn't carve out a leading role right away, as he posted double-digit points in only six of Hapoel Afula's first 11 contests. However, across the squad's last four outings, he's begun to blossom, averaging 22.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.3 steals while shooting 48.0 percent from downtown.

There's no guarantee Cassius Stanley earns another shot in the NBA. For now, it seems the former Duke basketball frequent flyer, who averaged 12.6 points and 4.9 boards as a full-time starter for a Blue Devil bunch that finished 25-6 overall and may have thrived in March if not for the canceled postseason, enjoys flying high overseas.

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Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com for more updates on former Blue Devils and other 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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