Mark Pope is in a battle with two former Wildcat coaches for the former McDonald’s All-American.
A source confirms to the Cats’ Pause Pope and the Cats have expressed interest in the veteran guard while Adam Zagoria of NJ.com reports Kentucky, Arkansas, coached by John Calipari and St. John’s coached by Rick Pitino are among the “leaders” for Roach’s services.
Roach was a five-star prospect in the class of 2020 and was selected as a McDonald’s All-American to the 2020 Jordan Brand Classic and 2020 Nike Hoop Summit.
As a freshman during the 2020-21 season, Roach averaged 8.7 points per game, playing in 24 games and starting 18. He added 2.8 assists per game and 2.2 rebounds while shooting 45.3 percent from the field and 31.0 percent from three.
He helped Duke reach the Final Four in the final year of the Mike Krzyzewski era as a sophomore as in 39 games and 29 starts, he averaged 8.6 points per game, 2.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists while shooting 41.0 percent from the field and 32.2 percent from three.
As a junior in Jon Scheyer‘s debut season as head coach, Roach played in 32 games and started 30, averaging 13.6 points per game, 3.1 assists and 2.5 rebounds while shooting 42.6 percent from the field and 34.3 percent from three.
Roach declared for the 2023 NBA Draft but opted to return to Duke for his senior season, where this past year, he earned Third-Team All-ACC honors by averaging 14.0 points per game, 3.3 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 46.8 percent from the field, 42.9 percent from three and 84.4 percent from the charity stripe. His production came over 35 games and 33 starts as he helped Duke reach the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.
He scored at least 13 points in all four of Duke’s four NCAA Tournament games averaging 14.0 points per game, 3.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists during the Blue Devils run to the Elite Eight.
If the 6-foot-2 Roach returns to college, he’ll have one year of remaining eligibility at his next school.
Be the first to comment