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We grabbed another graduate transfer guard. As is tradition.
Marquette Senior Duane Wilson formally chose Texas A&M yesterday, and he will be immediately eligible for the 2017-2018 season. Wilson chose Texas A&M over Arkansas, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Nevada and Virginia.
Late night news. Marquette’s Duane Wilson Jr. @SwaggyDu1 tells me that he will transfer to Texas A&M. Eligible immediately as grad transfer.
— Eric Bossi (@ebosshoops) March 28, 2017
Wilson was a highly sought after freshman, rising as high as #53 on the ESPN Top 100 list, but a preseason injury forced a redshirt during his first season. He averaged 11.7 points per game over the next two years, but a strong incoming class reduced his role this past season.
In order to keep his spot in the rotation, he had to become a defensive specialist.
“My first two years I was more like the offensive guy,” Wilson said.
Now a redshirt junior, the Dominican High School grad is scoring just 4.8 points per game and playing half the minutes he used to, but he’s having perhaps his most impactful season yet. He’s become a calming defensive presence off the bench.
Wilson is posting a career-best 3.5 percent steal percentage despite often being tasked with the toughest defensive matchup. Though Wilson is just 6-foot-2, he frequently plays as a small forward, guarding wing players who are substantially bigger and stronger than him.
“It’s just toughness and having heart,” Wilson said. “With me it’s just a pride thing, I hate when people score on me. I take that personally.”
While next year’s lineup appears to be absolutely loaded, the guards are a little light on defense and experience. Expect Wilson to earn a spot in next year’s rotation on both fronts.