Duke Blue Devils Shine in NBA Finals and Secure Gold Medal

On Sunday night, Duke alumnus Jayson Tatum propelled the Boston Celtics to a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals with a 105-98 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. This win came despite a tough shooting night for Tatum, who scored 18 points on 6-22 from the field and 1-7 from beyond the arc. He contributed significantly with nine rebounds and 12 assists, narrowly missing a triple-double. Former Blue Devils Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II also played for the Mavericks, with Irving scoring 16 points and Lively adding two points and seven rebounds. The series now moves to Dallas for Game Three on Wednesday night, where the Mavericks will look to turn the tide.

Over the weekend, future Duke basketball star Patrick Ngongba II helped Team USA secure the gold medal at the FIBA Americacup. Ngongba, a highly-touted 2024 Duke signee, averaged 4.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game during the tournament. His standout performance was a 12-point, 6-rebound effort in a decisive win over Belize. Ngongba, a 6-foot-11 center, is ranked No. 25 in his class according to 247Sports composite rankings and is expected to make a significant impact at Duke.

Duke freshman Shavit Kimchi was honored as the ACC Freshman of the Year for her exceptional 2023-24 tennis season. Kimchi, hailing from Sdey Hemed, Israel, was recognized by conference head coaches for her hard work and impressive performances. Duke head coach Jamie Ashworth praised Kimchi’s dedication, noting that she joins an elite group of Blue Devils who have received this prestigious accolade.

Duke men’s tennis has gained a major asset with the transfer of Cooper Williams, the nation’s top-rated freshman. Williams, who previously competed for Harvard University, earned All-America honors and finished the season ranked No. 14 in singles and No. 21 in doubles. Duke head coach Ramsey Smith expressed excitement about Williams joining the team, citing his competitiveness and academic excellence as perfect fits for Duke.

In other news, Duke football has secured a commitment from a promising wide receiver, while a productive veteran running back has joined the team via the transfer portal. The 2025 College Football Playoff schedule has also been released, providing fans with key dates and times to look forward to. With these developments, Duke athletics continues to build on its tradition of excellence across multiple sports.

Stay tuned for more updates and news on Duke Blue Devils as they continue to make waves in various athletic arenas.