Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball One-And-Done Posterizes Another No. 2 Draft Pick

Duke basketball talent Marvin Bagley III has looked notably determined this NBA preseason.
Matt Giles|
Duke basketball star Marvin Bagley III (Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)

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Marvin Bagley III, a former No. 2 overall draft pick, must be aggressive to earn a permanent spot in the Detroit Pistons' regular rotation this season. With a posterizing dunk on Thursday night in the Pistons' 118-116 preseason road win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, the 2017-18 Duke basketball one-and-done displayed his aggression.

RELATED: Ranking All 26 Duke One-And-Dones Under Mike Krzyzewski

And Bagley's highlight moment came against another former No. 2 overall pick in 2021-22 Gonzaga one-and-done Chet Holmgren.

Check out the 6-foot-11, 235-pound lefty's assertive drive and vicious slam in the face of the 7-foot-1, 195-pound Holmgren:

Bagley, battling several other young post talents to be the 2023-24 Pistons' primary backup center, received 16 minutes on Thursday night, the most of any big man off the bench. The 24-year-old tallied nine points, three rebounds, one steal, and zero turnovers while shooting 2-for-4 from the field and 5-for-8 at the charity stripe.

His best stat line came in the preseason opener at home against the Phoenix Suns last week: 25 points and seven rebounds in 22 minutes. But Marvin Bagley III's production has been consistently strong leading up to his sixth season as a pro.

RELATED: Former Duke Teammates Send Statement in Preseason Opener

As for Oklahoma City's Duke basketball product, reserve forward Jack White (a former four-year Blue Devil and one-year teammate to Bagley in Durham) finished the contest with four points on 2-for-2 shooting and one assist in six minutes.

White (now on a two-year contract in OKC) and the Thunder have completed their preseason slate and will prepare for their season opener at the Chicago Bulls next Wednesday.

RELATED: Beloved NBA Blue Devil Sees Big Minutes for Thunder

Meanwhile, the Pistons wrap up their preseason action with a road game against the Dallas Mavericks at 8 p.m. ET Friday.

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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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