Duke Blue Devils big man Dereck Lively II has announced that he is declaring for the 2023 NBA Draft. He will forgo his remaining three years of college eligibility and become yet another “one and done” prospect that played for the Blue Devils. Lively II was a top-five recruit coming out of high school and was expected to be a “one and done” prospect. While his draft stock did slip some this year, he made up some ground late and should still go high enough to justify leaving college after one season with the team.

This past season as a freshman with the Duke Blue Devils, Dereck Lively II averaged 5.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 2.4 blocks per game. He paired those numbers with a field goal percentage of 65.8 percent and a three-point percentage of 15.4 percent. While he did not showcase a lot on offense, he did showcase elite rim protection and defense overall. That defense will be exactly why he is still taken in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft. While he may no longer be a lock for the draft lottery, he should still be a first-round pick. With a good showing leading up to the draft, Lively II could find his way back in the lottery, but only time will tell.