Last season was the first time since before 1957-58 that the NCAA allowed players to wear any number from 0 to 99. Previously, he was prohibited from using numbers 6 to 9 as the first or second digit. However, none of the 2023-24 Duke basketball players took advantage of the rule change.
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At least three Blue Devils will now post higher numbers next season, the program announced on social media this weekend, revealing the uniform numbers of six freshmen.
Forwards Con Knuppel and Darren Harris wore numbers 7 and 8 respectively, while center Carman Maruach opted for number 9.
As for the other three rookies heading to Durham, they opted for traditional jersey numbers. Cooper Flagg, winner of the Collection Award, chose No. 2, and fellow McDonald's All-American forward Isaiah Evans chose No. 3. Big man Patrick Gomba II will wear number 21.
#️⃣ For Rooks!! ️😈 pic.twitter.com/QAlk0OjsnN
— Duke Men's Basketball (@DukeMBB) May 18, 2024
Presumably, the Blue Devils' two returning players from scholarships, guards Caleb Foster and Tyrese Proctor, will stick at No. 1 and No. 5, respectively. If so, three of the four inbound transfers to Duke basketball, guard Theon James (No. 1 from Tulane), forward Malik Brown (No. 1 from Syracuse), and wing Cameron Sheffield (No. 1 from Syracuse) Rice (5th place) will have to choose. Numbers I learned for the first time at university.
The Blue Devils' other transfer, forward Mason Gillis, wore No. 0 at Purdue.
There is no word on when Duke will release jersey numbers for the transfer players.
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