Duke basketball has seen tremendous success over the past couple of decades, and this coming year is no different. With the top three recruits in the country, the number one point guard in the country and the seventh ranked small forward that reclassified from 2019, the Blue Devils’ freshman class is stacked. However, the rest of the returning players are the key to Duke’s success this year as well. Here are five to watch out for this year:

• Marques Bolden

Coming back for his junior year, center Marques Bolden is a key asset to the team as an older and more improved player. Last year, Bolden averaged 3.9 points and 3.6 rebounds per game in 12.9 minutes behind freshman Wendell Carter Jr.  He missed seven games with a sprained MCL in January, but has recovered well and proven himself to be a more solid player than he was before the injury.

• Javin DeLaurier

DeLaurier, a junior forward, played in all the games he was able to in the 2017-18 season. He missed only four games because of a leg injury. Throughout the season he averaged 3.4 points and 4 rebounds per game, playing 12.7 minutes per game. His versatility and shot-blocking ability will contribute largely to Duke’s defense.

• Jack White

As a junior and more experienced player, White, a forward, will be a big part of this year’s leadership on the team. Throughout his freshman and sophomore year, he has been a consistent player off of the bench, even with little playing time. White averaged 1.5 rebounds per game in the 28 games he played in last year.

• Alex O’Connell

Sophomore shooting guard Alex O’Connell proved to be a big contender last year, playing in 36 games but only starting one. He made almost 50% of his three point attempts in the 2017-18 season. He averaged 3.3 points, 1.4 rebounds and 10.4 minutes per game as a key perimeter player. After playing only three minutes of Duke’s Canada Tour in August, his orbital bone underneath his eye was broken. After he recovers, he will be a big part of the teamś perimeter shooting attack.

• Jordan Goldwire

Goldwire, a sophomore point guard, has been working on his game all summer. His hard work paid off in the exhibition games in Canada, backing up freshman Tre Jones as he sat with a hip injury. During the three games he played 75 collective minutes, along with 12 points, eight assists and seven steals. Goldwire’s freshman year didn’t see much action, playing in 24 games,  but only averaging 6.5 minutes per game. He averaged 1 point, 0.5 rebounds, and 0.9 assists, however to his 24 season assists he only had 7 turnovers.

Duke’s reign in the basketball world hasn’t come to an stop yet, and with the help of these five, it won’t be ending anytime soon. A season full of learning, leading, and winning is sure to come.