Columbia Grad Transfer Patrick Tape Commits to Duke; Averaged 11.3 PPG Last Year

Patrick Tape was an unranked prospect from Charlotte, North Carolina when he committed to Columbia out of high school. After proving himself in the Ivy League, he's heading back to his home state to finish his college career with Duke: 

The senior forward announced his decision to transfer on Tuesday night, netting coach Mike Krzyzewski and the Blue Devils a 6'10" big man who averaged 11.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and shot 66.7 percent from the field during the 2018-19 season. 

The move makes sense for multiple reasons. Namely the fact that Duke is looking to reload while Columbia remains at the bottom of the Ivy League. The Lions went just 6-24 last season, picking up one conference win along the way, while Tape sat out the year.

Despite that, the forward has played exceptionally well against some of the tougher competition on Columbia's schedule in the past. As a junior, Tape posted 18 points and four rebounds against Northwestern, 15 points and four rebounds against Rutgers, 17 points and three rebounds against Boston College and 22 points and 12 rebounds against Harvard. 

It was quite a step up from a sophomore season in which he averaged just 4.4 points in 17.2 minutes per game. 

Now he'll join an incoming class at Duke that's already ranked No. 2 in the nation behind Kentucky, according to 247 Sports. The Blue Devils had previously picked up commitments from three five-stars in forward Jalen Johnson and guards Jeremy Roach and DJ Steward—along with three four-stars in big men Mark Williams, Jaemyn Brakefield and Henry Coleman. 

Aside from seniors Javin DeLaurier and Jack White, Duke is preparing to lose freshmen Wendell Moore Jr., Vernon Carey Jr. and Cassius Stanley to the NBA this offseason, along with others who may declare without an agent.

Adding Tape to the mix will give Coach K another embarrassment of riches that's sure to be the envy of most ACC teams yet again.