Trevor Keels injury status updated ahead of Duke's game vs. Syracuse

Wade-Peeryby:Wade Peery01/21/22

Trevor Keels, one of the top players on Duke’s roster, is listed as doubtful for Saturday’s game against Syracuse, according to the Duke Twitter account.

The gifted freshman averages 11.9 points per game for the Blue Devils and is also a top-notch defender. If Duke wants any chance of performing at their very best this season, they’re going to need him healthy.

The 6-foot-5, 221-pound guard suffered the injury in the second half against Florida State on Jan. 18.

Keels splashed onto the scene when he erupted for 25 points, three blocks, and two steals in Duke’s season-opener against the Kentucky Wildcats on Nov. 9.

Duke won the game 79-71. In what was his first game as a true freshman, Keels showed little or no fear in driving the ball in the lane right at UK big man Oscar Tshiebwe. The uber-talented center is one of the nation’s leading candidates for National Player of the Year.

His NBA Draft stock continues to skyrocket after stuffing the stat sheet with absurd double-double numbers on a routine basis. He’s averaging over 16 points and just over 14 rebounds per game.

Keels’ performance against the Kentucky big man was an impressive showing before a nationally televised audience.

The former Paul VI Catholic (Fairfax, Virginia) product followed his former high school teammate, Jeremy Roach to Duke.

Keels was rated as the No. 23 overall prospect in the 2021 class by On3 for a reason–many people expected him to be really, really good. He’s lived up to those lofty expectations early.

Duke has national championship dreams this season, as the Blue Devils do every year in Durham. If they wish to send out Coach K with a national championship in his final season, there’s no question they will need Keels on the floor.

There are few guards in America that can do the things he can do. His size alone presents a matchup nightmare for nearly every team in college basketball.