Grayson Allen Announces Return to Duke: Latest Comments and Reaction

After an excellent sophomore season, Duke guard Grayson Allen has decided to forgo the NBA draft this year and return to Duke for the 2016-17 campaign. He announced the news Wednesday in a release:  

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I talked with my parents and prayed about this decision, and I had the feeling that it was right. I love Duke and I’ve made relationships with my teammates that will last forever. Coming back next season to play with them is important to me. Earning a Duke degree has always been a dream of mine, so I’ll also be working to get closer to that goal.

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After a freshman campaign that saw him register just 9.2 minutes per game, Allen established himself as one of the most prolific scorers in college basketball in 2015-16, leading Duke with 21.6 points per game and adding 4.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists per contest.

He was a first-team All-ACC selection and shared the league's Most Improved Player award with Clemson’s Jaron Blossomgame.

Allen also became the latest Duke player to earn the nation's ire, however, after getting caught tripping opponents in two separate games during the team's ACC slate.

Allen's return to Duke means the Blue Devils may head into next season as the favorites to win the national title. Although the possible top overall pick in this year's NBA draft, Brandon Ingram, won't be back—and Marshall Plumlee will graduate—Duke will still be stacked next year.

In addition to Allen, senior Amile Jefferson could be back on a medical-hardship waiver, which would grant him another year of eligibility. That combination of experience and top incoming recruits Harry Giles and Jayson Tatum will make the Blue Devils a scary team to face.

Allen, meanwhile, should be a Player of the Year candidate if he continues to build on his excellent 2015-16 season. While aspects of his game need work—namely his ball-handling and defense—Allen is a pure shooter and should be one of the nation's most dangerous scorers again next season.

You can follow Timothy Rapp on Twitter. Recruiting information provided by 247Sports.