Projecting Duke's 2016-17 Rotation After Marques Bolden's Commitment

Duke's addition of 5-star center Marques Bolden shook up the college basketball world Thursday as the loaded Blue Devils added another potential one-and-done prospect to their 2016-17 roster, per Paul Biancardi of ESPN.com.

Already looking like the No. 1 team entering the 2016-17 men's college basketball season, now the Blue Devils are even deeper and can throw waves of talented players at opponents if they choose to do so.

With three freshmen sitting in the top eight spots in DraftExpress' latest 2017 mock draft, the Blue Devils are adding a ridiculously talented freshman class to a team that was already returning four double-figure scorers from last season.

So how will the Blue Devils look next season? This might not be the starting lineup we'll see early in the season, considering how much experience some of Duke's players have, but with the kind of talent the freshman class is bringing in, we could see the Blue Devils start four freshmen by season's end.

Recruit information courtesy of 247Sports unless noted otherwise.

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes and information obtained firsthand.

Frank Jackson, PG

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Taking over for departed transfer Derryck Thornton will be the 6'3" Frank Jackson, an athletic lead guard who came on strong this spring. The MVP of the McDonald's All-American Game and a participant in the Nike Hoop Summit and Jordan Brand Classic, Jackson showed that he can play with elite competition and score from the perimeter with the best of them.

Since last fall, Jackson has added strength, as he's now up to 208 pounds, per DraftExpress, meaning that he's close to being physically prepared for ACC play as a freshman. With an ability to play above the rim (he won the McDonald's All-American dunk contest, too) or from beyond the arc, Jackson gives the point guard position a scoring punch for Duke next season.

And with the amount of weapons Jackson will have around him, he should be able to create for teammates frequently when he drives and gets into the paint. Jackson and returning shooting guard Grayson Allen will be one of the best backcourts in the country next season.

Grayson Allen, SG

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The veteran of Duke's starting lineup next season will be the 6'5" Allen, as the shooting guard America loves to hate will return for his junior season.

He could have tested the NBA waters for this spring's draft like many other prospects, but Allen opted to return to school—and his return gives Duke a huge advantage over other Top Five programs. That advantage? A proven college scorer who averaged 21.6 points per game and scored in double figures in 34 of 36 contests last season.

Since Allen shoots 42 percent from three-point territory, he can also space the floor for Duke's other weapons as he forms a potent perimeter-shooting duo with Jackson.

The return of Allen also takes an immense amount of pressure off Duke's coveted recruiting class. Much of America will focus its Duke-related attention on Allen early in the season, giving the freshmen some time to grow before they enter the spotlight.

Jayson Tatum, SF

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As if Duke's perimeter attack weren't tough enough to defend with Jackson and Allen, in comes St. Louis native and 5-star freshman Jayson Tatum, a mid-range assassin with an immense skill level on the wing.

At 6'8", Tatum has the size and skill level to be a matchup nightmare against opposing defenses. An intelligent offensive attacker who knows how to get to his spots on the floor, Tatum is also solid at getting to the free-throw line, where he can score in bunches.

Although his three-pointer was suspect at times during his high school career, Tatum can score in many other ways, and his jumper is workable if he puts in the time. Also good on the glass and defensive end, Tatum was great at playing in passing lanes at the Nike Hoop Summit and finishing plays on the other end.

Tatum, the No. 3 prospect in DraftExpress' 2017 mock draft, was a consensus top-five prospect throughout high school.

Harry Giles, PF

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If Harry Giles comes back healthy, he could be a dominant force in college basketball next season. Currently rehabbing a torn ACL that cost him his senior season at Oak Hill Academy, the 6'11" Giles is still the No. 1 prospect in DraftExpress' 2017 mock draft because of his rare combination of size and skill level.

With an elite second jump, Giles is great at finishing around the hoop and gathering rebounds, as he can sky over opponents on both ends of the floor. Also possessing a solid skill level for a big man, Giles has shown flashes of range out to the three-point line and improved his ball-handling and jumper throughout his high school career.

The biggest question for Giles is his health. He missed two seasons of high school basketball—his sophomore and senior years—with ACL injuries, and he also missed time last fall with a broken third metacarpal. It'll be interesting to see how Giles recovers and what kind of minutes he plays next season.

Marques Bolden, C

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The new addition to the starting lineup is Bolden, who had a productive spring and sits at No. 8 in DraftExpress' 2017 mock draft.

At 6'11" and 250 pounds—with a 7'6" wingspan, as measured at the Nike Hoop Summit in April—Bolden can protect the rim and score with his back to the basket. With his ability to score with either hand, Bolden gives the Blue Devils a valuable post presence who can draw double-teams and pass out to open perimeter shooters.

Since Bolden is also a solid rebounder, Duke should have a big advantage on the glass with all of the big bodies and elite athletes in its frontcourt next season. The thing to watch with Bolden is how he handles high-ball-screen situations. Bolden will have to work on defending high ball screens and being a pick-and-roll big man at the college level.

Notable Bench Players

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Chase Jeter, Amile Jefferson and Matt Jones

PF Amile Jefferson

Senior Amile Jefferson will be back next season after getting a medical redshirt from the NCAA. He was a double-double threat early in the year before suffering a season-ending foot injury, averaging 11.4 points and 10.3 rebounds per game in nine contests.

If Jefferson is healthy and ready to go, don't be surprised if he's an early-season starter because of his production and experience. Although Giles and Bolden are both top-10 NBA draft prospects, Jefferson already has four years of college under his belt, so he knows what to expect.  

SG Matt Jones

Another starter who might get pushed to the bench by a future NBA one-and-done talent, the 6'5" Matt Jones averaged 10.4 points per game last season while shooting 41 percent from three-point range. Like Jefferson, Jones was a contributor on the 2014-15 national championship team and owns a ton of big-game experience entering his senior season.

Also a solid defender who can guard multiple perimeter positions, Jones should find plenty of minutes next season.

SG Luke Kennard

Luke Kennard had a good freshman season, putting up 11.6 points per game while also being a reliable free-throw shooter (88 percent). The sophomore could potentially see backup point guard minutes because he can handle the ball, and Duke is without many ball-handling options.

A streaky shooter who can fill it up in a hurry, Kennard could be a valuable heat-check option off the bench next season. 

C Chase Jeter

After an up-and-down freshman season, Chase Jeter will have a chance to come in and compete for early minutes at center. A former McDonald's All-American who is young (will turn 19 in September) for a sophomore, Jeter showed some positive flashes as a freshman, but he needs to get tougher and put on strength.

Recruit information courtesy of 247Sports unless noted otherwise.

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes and information obtained firsthand.