Point guard Luke Paul of Australia has made a commitment to play basketball at Duke, it was reported Thursday by ESPN.
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Paul is considered by some observers a potential first-round NBA draft pick. The 6-6 guard will compete in the NBL Next Stars program in Australia this season, but made the decision to join the Blue Devils program for the 2027-28 season, according to the report.
Paul starred in the 2026 FIBA U17 World Cup competition as Australia won a bronze medal. He was selected for the World Cup All-Star Five along with Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje, who will be his teammate at Duke in 2027-28.
Boumtje Boumtje reclassified and will play for the Blue Devils this season, but the 7-2 center, at 17, will not be old enough for the NBA Draft until 2028.
Paul earned his spot on the all-star team by averaging 15.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 7.1 assists a game in the tournament, shooting 55.6% from 3.
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Paul also starred in the 2025 FIBA U16 Asia Cup, being named tournament MVP after Australia took the gold medal.
Why Duke?
“I want to get to the NBA and be a lottery pick, and I trust in their player development to get me there,” Paul told ESPN.
At Duke, Paul also will join the brother of Charlotte Hornets standout Kon Knueppel, who developed quickly into a first-round pick. Kager Knueppel, a 6-9 power forward and a 4-star recruit, also has committed to the Blue Devils and coach Jon Scheyer.
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