Ex-Duke Guard Alex O'Connell Transfers to Creighton; Averaged 5.2 PPG Last Year

Former Duke guard Alex O'Connell announced his intention to transfer to Creighton for his senior season in a tweet Wednesday.

O'Connell averaged 5.2 points and 2.2 rebounds per game in 2019-20, posting the worst shooting splits of his career as he struggled to make an impact. A 4-star recruit as part of the 2017 class, O'Connell made 14 starts in three seasons with the Blue Devils and appeared in 101 games.

He will have one season of eligibility remaining. It's possible that O'Connell will be immediately eligible beginning next season, though that would require a waiver or a change to NCAA transfer rules. The NCAA is considering a one-time transfer rule that would allow players to be eligible at their new school without sitting out a season.

If O'Connell winds up eligible for next season, he'd join a Creighton team with deep NCAA tournament hopes. The team is slated to return top scorers Marcus Zegarowski, Ty-Shon Alexander and Mitch Ballock, and O'Connell would give them perhaps the best offense in the country.

While his shooting fell off last season, O'Connell has a smooth stroke and appeared to be pressing at times as he fought for playing time. With a more focal role, perhaps he'll be a more consistent player.