Duke scores one with Gary Trent
Napa, CA
Gary Trent has been a well-known name ever since he first laced up his shoes on the high school hardwood three years ago. Today, after sifting through the college process and taking a look at some programs close to him, and others a bitter further away, the five-star, top-15 guard from Minnesota, gave his verbal commitment to Coach K and the Duke Blue Devils.
Heading into the early signing period, the ACC juggernaut entered the seven day stanza with a lone commitment in hand, that coming from Alex O’Connell, a top-50 swingman from Georgia. Sure, O’Connell should be able to lend a helping hand in Durham but with the pending departures of Matt Jones, Grayson Allen, and Jayson Tatum out on the perimeter, the necessity for a go-to option in the backcourt was at hand. Enter Gary Trent.
A 6-foot-5 shooting guard that might just be the most polished guard from the senior class, Trent is someone that can you get a bucket in every which way possible. The Prolific Prep standout brings a strong frame to the backcourt and has improved his athleticism in recent year. In the half-court setting, while he isn’t a tremendous playmaker, he does convert with efficiency, whether it is off of the shoot and catch 3-point jumper, isolation attempts on the mid-range pull-up, or even off of low-block post-ups.
Beating out the likes of UCLA and Michigan State for his signature, Trent should step in and lend a hand on the scoreboard straight out of the gates. This past year on the Nike circuit, the native of Minnesota finished top-five in scoring averaging over 22 points along with over six rebounds, two assists, and a steal per contest.
While there has been some talk about a package deal in the works between Trent and top rated big man and USA Basketball teammate Wendell Carter, landing the former is a great step in completing the potential deal. Carter could decide in the days ahead as the Blue Devils currently have an edge over Harvard for the elite back to the rim senior’s signature this fall.
The second commitment in the 2017 class for the Blue Devils, Duke has now secured its scoring assets out on the perimeter in this year’s senior crop as they will continue to pursue lead guard Matt Coleman and keep their sights on primetime talent in the frontcourt coming in the form of Wendell Carter and Kevin Knox, the latter expecting to sign during the late period in April.
