Javin DeLaurier Is Out With Foot Injury

Although they probably want to avoid getting injured at all cost as we’ve learned throughout the years it wouldn't be Duke Basketball if there wasn’t at least one injury and this one didn’t happen during the regular season, instead it happened during practice leading up to the 2018-2019 season that tips-off with Kentucky at the State Farm Champions Classic on November 6, 2018 in Indianapolis.

Junior forward Javin DeLaurier has a stress fracture in his foot. “according to https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/article219425925.html

“Javin is out right now,” Krzyzewski said during a speech to the Durham Sports Club’s meeting at Croasdaile Country Club. “We are keeping him out for about 10 days.” “according to https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/article219425925.html

The good news, Krzyzewski said, is that DeLaurier is expected to be back at practice next week. Fall break for Duke’s students begins Friday night and classes don’t resume until Wednesday morning. “according to https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/article219425925.html

The Blue Devils won’t practice during fall break. But Krzyzewski said DeLaurier’s foot “should be OK when we come back.” “according to https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/article219425925.html

DeLaurier played in 33 games, with five starts, last season when he averaged 3.3 points and 3.9 rebounds. “according to https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/article219425925.html

When Duke toured Canada in August and played three exhibition games against Canadian university teams, DeLaurier “according to https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/article219425925.html

averaged 7.3 points and 5.7 rebounds.”according to https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/article219425925.html

Krzyzewski said “he has really done well” during the offseason and early practices prior to his injury. Krzyzewski projected DeLaurier as a starter along with four freshmen -- Zion Williamson, R.J. Barrett, Tre Jones and Cameron Reddish. “according to https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/article219425925.html

While Barrett, Williamson and Reddish will be called upon to handle the bulk of Duke’s scoring and Jones’ job as point guard will be to facilitate them, Krzyzewski said it’s important for players like White and DeLaurier to embrace their roles. “according to https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/article219425925.html

Last season, Duke went 29-8 and made the NCAA tournament’s elite eight round on a team led by freshmen Marvin Bagley III, Wendell Carter, Gary Trent, Jr., Trevon Duval and senior guard Grayson Allen. All five players have moved on to professional basketball. “according to https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/article219425925.html

Krzyzewski and his staff felt the Blue Devils could have been an even better team last season if role players had a better understanding of their importance. “according to https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/article219425925.html

So the staff is working on that heading into this season. “according to https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/article219425925.html

“We’ve tried to celebrate, during the summer, the value of the role player,” Krzyzewski said. “I didn’t think we had that last year. The bench didn’t really contribute as much. We were kind of a short team. A really good team, but we needed to have more players play. “according to https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/article219425925.html

“So one of the things we’ve done in the offseason is take a look at our value structure. One of the things that I came up with is I need to celebrate the role player.” “according to https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/article219425925.html

DeLaurier and White are Duke’s top role players so far, Krzyzewski said. “according to https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/article219425925.html

“They’ve become really good players,” Krzyzewski said. “Really good players. They both could be starters. On a team, you don’t want only five guys to think that they are starters. Or only three guys or two guys to think that they are the best players. You want guys that have egos and great self-esteem working together to develop a team. That’s carried over to practice.” “according to https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/article219425925.html

Sophomore guard Alex O’Connell has also impressed the coaching staff with his play in a reserve role. O’Connell suffered a broken orbital bone in his face two minutes into Duke’s first game on its Canadian tour and missed the final two games. “according to https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/article219425925.html

After having surgery in August, he’s healed and his returned to practice. Reddish (groin) and Jones (hip) missed all three games with injuries but are also back practicing. “according to https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/article219425925.html

Junior center Marques Bolden is another player who could fill the final starting job along with the four freshmen. But Bolden, while healthy, only played 39 minutes combined in the three exhibitions in Canada and failed to score a point. “according to https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/article219425925.html

When asked about the 6-11 Bolden on Wednesday, Krzyzewski first said he was doing “good” but indicated Bolden has work to do with his consistency. “according to https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/article219425925.html

“We’ll see how good he does,” Krzyzewski said. “He didn’t have a good tour of Canada. But that doesn’t mean he’s not good.” “according to https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/article219425925.html