Josh McRoberts had met with Coach K after his freshman season and the two had
pretty much decided that he would leave after this season.
"I am extremely grateful for the opportunities that I have had here at Duke,"
McRoberts said, according to The Associated Press. "This was a difficult
decision, but I feel it is the best one for me and my family at this point in
time. I will miss Duke, the
coaching staff and my teammates, but it has always been goal of mine to play in
the NBA."
Several online draft projections have McRoberts, one of two sophomore team
captains for Duke, as an
early- to mid-first-round pick. The draft is June 28 in New York.
Krzyzewski said he supports McRoberts' decision to turn pro.
"In the past couple of days, I've had the opportunity to meet with Josh
and his mother," Krzyzewski said. "Josh has been a terrific player for
us for the past two years, and he will be even better in the future as a
professional. Based on our information, it is time for him to move on to the
next level, and we are ready to help him in any and every way during this
process."
While extremely talented, the 6-foot-9 Indiana native never quite lived up to
expectations set for him in Durham. He was never able to take the leadership
role or become the go-to guy on the offensive end.
McRoberts' career came to an end in the Blue Devils first-round loss to VCU.
McRoberts is expected to sign with Arn Tellum, according to sources close to
McRoberts.