Duke player leaving early for NBA

Hall of Famer Hal Greer dies at 81

Hal Greer, a Hall of Fame guard and the Philadelphia 76ers’ career leading scorer, has died.

The Sixers said Greer died Saturday night in Arizona after a brief illness. He was 81.

Greer spent 15 seasons with the Syracuse Nationals and Philadelphia 76ers and finished his career with a record 21,586 points. He’s also the 76ers’ career leader in field goals, field goals attempted, games and minutes played.

Greer was the first player to have his number retired (15) by the 76ers in 1976. He made 10 straight All-Star games and earned All-Star Game MVP honors in 1968.

He was also the second-leading scorer on Philadelphia’s NBA championship team of 1966-67 and would earn a spot on the NBA 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996.

The Sixers will honor Greer before their playoff game against the Miami Heat on Monday night.

Duke forward Wendell Carter Jr. is leaving for the NBA Draft after one season in college.

Carter announced his decision Monday through the school, and team spokesman Mike DeGeorge says Carter plans to hire an agent.

Carter averaged 13.5 points, 9.1 rebounds and a team-best 2.05 blocks as part of a one-two punch in the low post with fellow freshman Marvin Bagley III.

Carter becomes the fourth member of Duke’s freshman class to turn pro this offseason, joining Gary Trent Jr., Trevon Duval and Bagley. He becomes the 16th one-and-done in program history.

His decision means the Blue Devils must replace the entire starting five from their regional final loss to Kansas.