Duke’s new freshmen embrace challenge of following Zion

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) >> With one giant leap, Cassius Stanley knocked Zion Williamson out of the Duke record book. His familiar No. 1 jersey now belongs to Vernon Carey Jr.

The Blue Devils’ latest crop of freshmen is embracing what seems like a tough job — following Williamson and his star-studded class in Durham.

“We feel that we’re a totally different team than last year,” freshman Wendell Moore said Monday. “Yeah, they had the star power in the three or four guys who left, but we also have that same star power.”

Turning the roster over is nothing new for the Blue Devils, who annually send one group of one-year players to the NBA only to bring in another collection right behind them. Seventeen of the program’s 19 one-anddones have passed through since 2011, including at least three in each of the last three seasons.

The current group faces a unique challenge — creating its own identity with the memories of Zionmania still so fresh.

“I don’t think we think about it like that,” Stanley said. “We just come in and bring our own thing. We’re all different in our own right, and I think we don’t look at each other like us freshmen, how we’re going to do it. We’re really (placing) importance on being inclusive with everyone. I think, as a team, it’s more just what we are. As a team, we can be this. It’s not just the freshmen following (Williamson). It’s a team following it.”

The good thing, coach Mike Krzyzewski said, is that the current team has its talent spread more evenly throughout the roster, with Moore, Carey and Matthew Hurt settling into big-man roles and Stanley in the backcourt. Team defense figures to be even more of a priority this season, Krzyzewski said.

Last season, Williamson and RJ Barrett might have been so much more skilled offensively than some teammates that it created an imbalance.

“There’s not a Zion, and even an RJ. Those guys were just ahead of the game,” said a relaxed Krzyzewski, speaking publicly for the first time since a school investigation found no evidence that Williamson received improper benefits.

“This group has both maturity and talent, along with talent and immaturity with the young guys, makes it a more balanced team,” he added.

Krzyzewski had good reason to feel relaxed: His is one of the few programs that can replace such a talented crew of one-and-dones with a class this talented. According to Scout. com, Duke has the nation’s third-best incoming freshman class, behind Memphis and Kentucky.