NEW YORK — Duke has one point guard transferring, Derryck Thornton, and one coming in, five-star senior Frank Jackson, so we will never know what the dynamic would be like had both been on the same team next season.
When news of Thornton’s transfer broke on Sunday, few people seemed surprised. Count Jackson among them.
“I’m gonna be honest with you, it didn’t surprise me,” Jackson told SNY.tv Wednesday morning at the HSS Training Center after he and his West teammates finished up practice for Friday night’s Jordan Brand Classic at Barclays Center. “I saw it throughout the season, but that’s his decision, and that’s what him and his family thought was best for him.”
Jackson’s candor came moments after he said he was surprised by Thornton’s decision, and that he is a great player capable of having a major impact on both ends of the floor.
Either way, Thornton is on the open market, and the backcourt in Durham likely belongs to Jackson, the co-MVP of last month’s McDonald’s All-American Game, next fall.
There are several Duke ties that bind in New York this week for the Jordan Brand Classic. Jackson is in town with future Blue Devils Jayson Tatum and Harry Giles. Thornton’s departure opens up a scholarship, potentially for five-star center Marques Bolden, who is also in town.
Bolden is deciding between Duke and Kentucky. He was slated to go on ESPNU Wednesday night with Tatum and Giles, but was not expected to announce his decision on the air.
The trio of Jackson, Giles and Tatum, plus the return of Grayson Allen for his junior season, Amile Jefferson receiving a medical redshirt thanks to a season-ending foot injury, and Matt Jones and Luke Kennard expected back, the Blue Devils are looking like the preseason No. 1 in the country for 2016-17.
“Either way, if he stays or goes, I’m gonna go in there, work my hardest and earn my minutes,” Jackson said. “It doesn’t matter who’s there. I’m going in to compete and make a name for myself. I want to earn my spot.”
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