Should Harry Giles play for Duke this season?
— -- Should Harry Giles play for Duke at all this season?
The nation's top-ranked freshman was the clear frontrunner to become the No. 1 overall pick in June's NBA Draft, even after a torn ACL, MCL and meniscus kept him off the court his entire sophomore year of high school. Then came a torn ACL in his other knee in the first game of his senior season.
A pair of torn ACLs meant it would be awfully difficult for the athletic, high-motor Giles to be taken first overall on June 22. Then came yet another red flag when Duke announced that Giles would have another procedure, termed minor, on his left knee, the one he injured as a sophomore.
That was Oct. 3, and the timetable, according to the school, was supposed to be six weeks. Monday marked the seven-week mark, and Giles still isn't back on the court
Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski and his staff have been mum on the timetable, but Coach K told me this past weekend that Giles is working out.
"He looks good, but it's just a workout," said one person within the Duke program. "There's no contact, and you have to put it in perspective. He hasn't played in over a year."
Everyone is proceeding with caution -- for Giles' future.
I contacted more than 20 NBA executives -- general managers, directors of player personnel and scouts -- to get their thoughts on what might be best for Giles, with regard to his future. There was no consensus, but all agreed on one aspect: If he comes back and stays healthy or doesn't play a single college game yet checks out medically with team doctors, Giles will be selected somewhere in the lottery (first 14 picks).
"But I'm not sure what he should do," one general manager told me. "There's no easy answer here. The best thing for his future would probably be to come back, play a few games and then shut it down.
"But that's not the best thing for Duke."
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