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."
Giles has already missed five games. It's unlikely he will return prior to the Nov. 29 contest against Michigan State. He missed all of last season, so if he does return, it will take some time for him to shake the rust off.
"I'd play, but not much," another GM said. "Like Kyrie [Irving]."
All of them said Giles' draft position will depend on medical evaluations, but the question is whether he rolls the dice -- and risks another setback or injury -- by playing this season in college.
"His whole deal is going to come down to what the docs say about his knee," one high-ranking NBA executive said. "If he wants to go No. 1, he has to come back, play well and have his knee check out. He could go high, but not No. 1, if he doesn't play and his knee checks out. If he doesn't play and his knee doesn't check out, it'll be a free-fall."
"One more ACL injury, and it's difficult to imagine him being taken in the first round," another NBA executive said. "Or maybe even drafted at all."
Giles wants to play. Duke wants him to play. The question might wind up being whether his family allows him to risk his future by stepping on the court this year.
"That's ultimately what it's going to depend on. ... It should come down to what's best for his future. And the only way to know the answer to that is seeing his medical info. And even then, it's not clear."
Pac-12's top talent
No conference in the country will have as many impact freshmen this season as the Pac-12. Want proof? Right now, the top four scorers in the league are frosh: Washington's Markelle Fultz (27 points per game), California's Charlie Moore (20.3), UCLA's? TJ Leaf?(20.3) and Lauri Markkanen (19.5). UCLA's Lonzo Ball leads the league in assists at 9 per game.
Another look at Ingram
One NBA scout raved recently about the play and potential of Alabama redshirt freshman guard Dazon Ingram. He started the first seven games as a freshman last season before suffering a knee injury that ended his season in early December. The 6-foot-5, 205-pound former Mr. Basketball in Alabama is averaging 10.3 points, 4.8 assists and 3.8 boards per game thus far.
"Dazon is long, versatile point guard," Alabama coach Avery Johnson said in a text message. "Great passer, terrific post-up player, improving pick-and-roll game, and [his] jump shot is much improved. Solid defender that can guard multiple positions. Outstanding rebounder."
St. John's' MVPs?
Coach Chris Mullin's freshman duo is being overlooked. The Red Storm have found their go-to guy just a year later than they would have liked. Marcus LoVett was a partial qualifier last season, which means he could practice but not play. LoVett is averaging 24.3 points through the first three games, and he leads the team in assists (5.3) while shooting 52 percent from beyond the arc and 80 percent from the line. True freshman Shamorie Ponds is second on the team in scoring, at 17.3 points per game, has made 11 of 20 shots from deep and leads the team in rebounding, at 7 per game, despite being a 6-foot-1 guard.
No change at Virginia
Even with Austin Nichols dismissed, Virginia coach Tony Bennett hasn't played either of his talented freshmen,? Jay Huff or De'Andre Hunter. Bennett played 12 players in the win over Yale, which was close in the first half. Bennett would prefer to redshirt both players if possible, as both could use a year to get stronger.
Surprise at USC
USC coach Andy Enfield has talent in his starting lineup: Jordan McLaughlin, Bennie Boatwright, Elijah Stewart,? Chimezie Metu?and? Shaqquan Aaron. But it was somewhat unheralded freshman guard De'Anthony Melton who made the two biggest plays in a road win over Texas A&M. Melton hit a huge 3-pointer and came up with a critical steal in the final seconds. The 6-foot-4 Melton is averaging 24 minutes off the bench and gives the Trojans toughness and the potential to be an elite defender. He's averaging 6.5 rebounds.