Blue Devil Country

One Outbound Duke Basketball Transfer Remains Uncommitted

Of the seven Duke basketball players who entered this year's portal, only Jaylen Blakes is still on the board.
Matt Giles|
Duke basketball guard Jaylen Blakes
Duke basketball guard Jaylen Blakes | Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

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Former three-year Duke basketball reserve guard Jaylen Blakes was in Durham over the weekend for early graduation. The Blue Devils' official social media posted pictures of the 6-foot-2 junior and 5-foot-8 Spencer Hubbard, a former walk-on guard who earned a scholarship this past season as a senior, sporting their caps and gowns in Wallace Wade Stadium.

Now, it's unknown what comes next for Blakes.

He entered the transfer portal on April 13, becoming the fifth of an eventual seven Blue Devils to announce their intentions to play elsewhere next season. One month later, though, while the other six outbound Duke players have decided on their next destinations, the former three-star prep out of Blair Academy (N.J.) hasn't even hinted at suitors.

On that note, it seems somewhat odd that Blakes still doesn't appear on the 247Sports transfer rankings for this cycle.

After all, it's not as though the 21-year-old, a notably aggressive perimeter defender but with limited offensive abilities, had zero impact as a Blue Devil. No, in each of the past two seasons under Jon Scheyer, he saw action in more than 30 games, albeit averaging only 1.8 points in 9.2 minutes per outing for the 2023-24 Duke basketball team.

With his Duke degree in hand and only one year of eligibility remaining, perhaps Jaylen Blakes' decision comes down to either finding the ideal graduate school for his interests or beginning his professional career somewhere — maybe overseas or off the court altogether.

Outside of school admission requirements, there's no deadline to exit the transfer portal and commit to a program. So, Blakes might just be taking his time in choosing his best route.

ALSO READ: New Addition Sets Sights on Duke's Next Title

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI for more Duke basketball portal 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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