Tyrese Proctor discusses stepping into bigger role with Jeremy Roach sidelined against Maryland Eastern Shore

Duke Blue Devils’ freshman Tyrese Proctor had to step up into a bigger role on Saturday evening against the Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks. The highly touted freshman from Australia was just one of many Duke players to post excellent performances against the Hawks in an 82-55 blowout victory. Proctor stuffed the stat sheet with 15 points and two assists, one point off his season-high (16 points) that he poured in against Purdue. He knew he had to step up with Jeremy Roach being sidelined with a toe injury. Following the game, Proctor spoke with Dalen Cuff and Randolph Childress on the ACC Network broadcast.

He first discussed how his role changed with Roach on the bench.

“Yeah, I think just being a more vocal leader on the court,” Proctor said. “You know, obviously being a point guard. I’m going to lead the team. And I thought we did that early on. And I thought we won that in the second half.”

The highly-touted freshman discussed how it’s taken a bit of time for him to adjust to college basketball in America, since he grew up in Australia.

“Yeah, I think just getting into a rhythm. Obviously, coming over from Australia, the game is completely different. Just not rushing and just playing at my pace. You know, we work our butts off in practice to do that. So, I just try to do as best I can in the game,” Proctor said.

Then he discussed what he felt his team needs to accomplish in the next 10 days to prepare for their next game, a road matchup against Wake Forest.

“We just need to get recovery. We had a long stretch of games. Obviously, going to Portland and playing in that tournament (Phil Knight Legacy Tournament). Just come and get ready for them (Wake Forest). We’ll watch film and we’ll have the same gameplan that we have every game,” Proctor said.

Proctor teamed up with another gifted freshman, Dariq Whitehead, to combine for 30 total points, three steals, and 47 percent shooting from the field. Both players are projected to be selected in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft, just continuing the never-ending pipeline of talent flowing through Durham. The Blue Devils also got another excellent performance from Kyle Filipowksi, who has been downright dominant since the start of the season. He stuffed the stat sheet with 14 points, seven rebounds, three steals, and two assists.

Following the win, Duke currently sits at 10-2 overall. Their next game will be on the road against Wake Forest on December 20th. Tip-off for that one is slated for 6:30 p.m. EST.