Blue Devil Country

Two-Year Duke Basketball Sharpshooter Now Heading to Atlanta

From the head coach and roster to the ownership group, the Hawks are chock-full of former Duke basketball players.
Matt Giles|
Duke basketball guard Luke Kennard
Duke basketball guard Luke Kennard | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

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Less than a week after Luke Kennard celebrated his 29th birthday, the southpaw Duke basketball pro has decided to join the Atlanta Hawks for what will be his ninth season in the NBA.

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According to a report from ESPN's Shams Charania on Monday night, the sharpshooting free agent "agreed to a one-year, $11 million deal" with the Hawks.

Kennard will become a teammate to another NBA Blue Devil in 2020-21 one-and-done forward and emerging Hawks star Jalen Johnson. Plus, as the Duke basketball social media team pointed out in the following post, Atlanta also enjoys a former Blue Devil guard as its head coach, Quin Snyder, in addition to the fact that the franchise's ownership group features Blue Devil legend Grant Hill.

Currently the NBA's active career leader in 3-point percentage at 43.8 percent, Luke Kennard has finished among the top 10 in that category in each of his past five campaigns. He led the league in 3-point percentage in 2021-22 and 2022-23 while suiting up for the Memphis Grizzlies.

Thus far, Kennard has been a member of three NBA franchises, as the 2017 lottery pick began his pro career with the Detroit Pistons before spending two and a half seasons apiece with the Los Angeles Clippers and, most recently, the Grizzlies.

He's averaged 8.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists for his career in the league.

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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