Duke transfer Chase Jeter eyeing ASU, Arizona among possible landing spots
Mar 24, 2017, 7:57 AM | Updated: Mar 25, 2017, 9:41 am
(AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Two years ago, Chase Jeter was a five-star prospect out of Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas who signed with Duke.
Currently, Jeter is a former Blue Devil who is looking for a school closer to home to finish his college career.
Since he’s from Las Vegas, several West coast schools are possibilities, including Arizona State and Arizona, according to various reports.
Jeter’s father, Chris, gave the list of possible destinations to Josh Gershon, Scout.com’s national recruiting analyst.
“I think the West Coast is good for him,” said Jeter. “It’s the best fit for his style of play. We’re looking at the Pac-12 really hard right now. We’re looking at Gonzaga, UCLA, USC, Arizona and Arizona State with the way they utilize their bigs.
“San Diego State is another one, and of course I’m a UNLV guy. Those are schools we’ve focused on just by watching coaches, watching their bigs and how they’re used.”
Jeter played in just 16 games this season for the Blue Devils, due to injury. The 6-foot-10, 230-pound big man averaged 2.6 points and 2.7 rebounds per game. He had a career-high 11 points and eight rebounds in Duke’s season-opening 94-49 win over Marist last November.
He was a McDonald’s All-American and the Nevada Gatorade Player of the Year in 2015 when he averaged 16.2 points and 10.6 rebounds for Bishop Gorman, who locked up its fourth straight Nevada Division I title.
Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski issued a statement on Jeter’s release from the program.
“Chase has been an outstanding young man in our program for the last two years,” he said. “He has been one of our top academic performers since he arrived on campus. Unfortunately, he was held back this season due to injury. We wish nothing but the absolute best for Chase and his family.”
Jeter, too, reflected on his two years at Duke.
“I have loved my time at Duke, getting a world-class education and competing alongside my brothers every day,” he said. “After careful consideration, I decided it would be best for me to transfer to a school closer to home. I’ve made long-lasting relationships here and I want to thank my teammates and coaches for the support they’ve given me over the last two years.”
Jeter will have to sit out next season due to NCAA transfer regulations, but would have two years of eligibility remaining for the institution he chooses.
Arizona State, coached by former Duke legend Bobby Hurley, could certainly use an infusion of size — even if Jeter’s impact is a full season away. The Sun Devils routinely played four guards and a forward this season. Ramon Vila, a freshman from Spain, played 407 minutes off the bench for Hurley during a 15-18 campaign — the most for any big man on ASU’s roster.
It is noteworthy that Chris Jeter played at UNLV, and was part of the school’s national championship team in 1990.
Jeter, should he transfer to ASU, wouldn’t be the first Duke big man to follow that trail. Former McDonald’s All-American Eric Boateng transferred from Duke to Arizona State following his freshman season in 2006. In three seasons as a Sun Devil, Boateng averaged 4.9 points and 4.0 rebounds per game while shooting .644 from the field.