Former Illinois guard Jacob Grandison transfers to Duke

Former Illinois guard Jacob Grandison has transferred to Duke, he announced via social media Saturday.

Grandison, 24, began his career at Holy Cross University in 2017-2018 before transferring to Illinois in 2019-20. He's averaged 9.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists on 37 percent shooting from 3-point range during his four-year collegiate career.

The graduate-transfer arrives in Durham as the No. 5 best available college basketball transfer according to The Athletic's Sam Vecenie and C.J. Moore.

(Photo: Ron Johnson / USA Today)

Why did Grandison choose Duke?

Brendan Marks, Duke beat writer: Because there's a clear path to playing time, and for a team that should be among the favorites to win the ACC. Some context: With both Trevor Keels and transfer target A.J. Green opting to stay in this year's NBA Draft, Duke suddenly found itself without a reliable option at shooting guard.

On a team that was already likely to start three freshmen, you can understand why first-year head coach Jon Scheyer would prefer a little more experience.

So while it helps that 2023 five-star recruit Tyrese Proctor has chosen to reclassify and enroll this summer, and that four-star freshman Jaden Schutt is already in the fold, Grandison offers a plug-and-play option on the perimeter.

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Where does Grandison fit into Duke's rotation?

Marks: Although Grandison immediately becomes the most-tenured shooting guard on the roster, it still isn't a guarantee he starts next season. Proctor should be his primary competition for that spot, as a talented youngster with a reputation for shooting at a high level.

But Grandison, who started 23 games for the Fighting Illini last season, will absolutely play a key role in Duke's rotation regardless of if he starts or not. Given his length and 6-foot-6 frame, Grandison can easily slide up to the three, where (after the offseason transfer of senior Joey Baker) Duke doesn't have a ton of depth behind five-star freshman Dariq Whitehead.

At the end of the day, Grandison offers the swing skill Duke needed to add most this offseason — shooting — and he's going to get minutes for that attribute alone.

Is this Duke's final addition for this season?

Marks: Technically Duke could still add another player if it wanted to, but Grandison's addition is likely a wrap on Scheyer's first roster. You've got Jeremy Roach as the veteran point guard and leader, with sophomore Jaylen Blakes backing him up.

Then in Whitehead, Proctor, Schutt, and now Grandison, you've got your primary perimeter players. Lastly, Dereck Lively, Kyle Filipowski, Mark Mitchell, and transfer Ryan Young fill out the frontcourt, with Harvard transfer Kale Catchings and freshman Christian Reeves providing depth.

There's a lot of projecting with that group, just due to the number of freshmen and transfers being pushed into prominent roles, but there's clearly enough talent here on paper for the Blue Devils to make a run at another ACC title.