Elite 2021 SG Trevor Keels Commits to Duke
On Thursday, Duke announced that freshman scoring guard DJ Steward would declare for the NBA Draft and hire an agent; a tough loss for the Blue Devils who had already lost three players to transfer.
Still, on Friday, Mike Krzyzewski and Co. got some news that softened the blow of losing Steward’s 13 points a game next season when Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.) shooting guard Trevor Keels committed to Duke.
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Keels picked the Blue Devils over Kentucky, Villanova and Virginia.
"That relationship with Coach K that I had was just different; we connected better," Keels said. "They're getting a person that wants to win. I'm all about winning. I'm gonna come in and try to get a national championship."
Keels, who is ranked No. 13 overall in the SI99, and Duke freshman point guard Jeremy Roach were teammates at Paul VI.
This season, Keels averaged 28.7 points, 9.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 3.8 steals a game, and will bring a versatility and toughness that will likely make him an intricate part of Duke’s offense next season.
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At 6-foot-5, 210 pounds, Keels has great size and brute strength coupled with efficient three-level scoring ability.
The most underrated part of Keels’ game is his ability to make his teammates better and his vision. Keels has a high basketball IQ and has the innate ability to make the right play in nearly every situation.
Keels joins a pair of fellow SI99 prospects, O’Dea (Seattle) forward Paolo Banchero and Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, N.Y.) wing A.J. Griffin to form the Blue Devils’ 2021 haul this far.