A year ago, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski was trying to get Derryck Thornton to reclassify from 2016 to 2015, and run the point in Durham.
Thornton wound up reclassifying and playing his freshman year for the Blue Devils, but now, he is on the open market.
Duke announced Sunday that Thornton will transfer after one season at Duke in which he averaged 7.1 points and 2.5 assists over 36 games.
“We wish Derryck the best and appreciate his contributions to our team this season,” Krzyzewski said in a statement. “We support his decision and want only what is best for him in the future.”
“I have loved my time at Duke, but I want to pursue the opportunity to play college basketball closer to home,” Thornton said. “I want to thank my teammates and coaches for their support this year. The relationships I have with them will always be special to me.”
The former Findlay Prep star and native of Chatsworth, Calif. started 20 games, but saw his minutes fluctuate. Thornton chose Duke last spring from a lengthy list of suitors that included Louisville, Michigan, Kentucky, Arizona, California, USC, Miami, UNLV and NC State.
Thornton may have seen the writing on the wall. Krzyzewski is bringing in a loaded recruiting class, which includes five-star point guard Frank Jackson, who was co-MVP at the McDonald’s All-American Game earlier this month.
Thornton’s departure clears the way for Jackson to start at the point next season, but it also opens up a scholarship, possibly for five-star center Marques Bolden, who is deciding between the Blue Devils and Kentucky.
Duke’s recruiting class includes two other five-star prospects in Jayson Tatum and Harry Giles. With or without Thornton, Duke is stacked next season and could start the season ranked No. 1 in the country.
Aside from Jackson, Giles and Tatum coming in, Grayson Allen will return for his junior season, Amile Jefferson is expected to receive a medical redshirt thanks a season-ending foot injury, and Matt Jones and Luke Kennard are both expected back.
The Blue Devils will lose projected top-2 Brandon Ingram to the NBA Draft.
Derryck Thornton Transferring from DukeCollege Recruiting
