Last month, Olek Czyz announced that he was transferring from Duke and had been debating between Nevada and Arizona State over the past couple of weeks. By transferring in the middle of the season and enrolling in classes by January 22, Czyz becomes eligible to play in the second semester of next season. Yesterday, The Reno Gazette-Journal reported that Czyz has made his decision to play for the Wolfpack:
Czyz visited both Nevada and Arizona State recently, but his decision may have come down to playing time. ESPN analyzed his decision: “Arizona State has a bevy of talented and athletic forwards as well as incoming 7-foot-2 big Jordan Bachynski which could equal a crowded frontcourt with little minutes for Czyz.” Czyz’s primary concern at Duke was playing time, so it is no surprise that he chose the Wolfpack, where minutes are much more likely.
While at Duke, the sophomore guard averaged just 1.2 points per game. Czyz began this year as a starter, playing in the place of the suspended Nolan Smith. After playing 24 minute against UNC-Greensboro, Czyz didn’t play more than 15 minutes in any other game this season. In his final five games before transferring, Czyz played just three total minutes.
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In your opinion why are so many players leaving the Duke program. Is it because I’m a Duke fan or does it seem like more leave from Duke than any other program ,and other than Dawkins it is because of playing time. It would seem like they are continually recruiting over players and guys are forced to leave. In my opinion they could have really used Taylor King for the next few years he is looking fantastic for Villanova but he couldn’t play for Duke.
I think the main reason so many players have transferred over the past couple years is due to playing time. Eric Boateng, Taylor King, and Olek Czyz all left because they weren’t getting enough minutes. Elliot Williams’s transfer is a different situation that the team couldn’t control, but I think that King especially would have stayed if he had received an extra 4-5 minutes a game. Considering that Duke has looked worn at times during the past couple years, it could have helped twicefold to play King: convince him not to transfer and get rest for the starters.
I’m most worried about Andre Dawkins following the same steps. I think he’s better than Boateng, King, and Czyz and he has received very few minutes the past couple games. If this continues the rest of the season and with the guard-heavy class coming in next season (Irving and Thornton plus Curry), he may decide to switch to a school where he will be an immediate starter.
Williams transfer I understand. He wanted to be closer to his mother because she is sick. Everyone else is just leaving because of playing time and I hope Dawkins will start to get more time cause I would hate for a talent like that to leave. He can flat out shoot the rock and we will need that down the road. I just hope we can get a good and steady rotation in.
Olek rocks at Nevada