Seventeen-year-old guard Luke Paul of Cairns Taipans don announce say im don commit to Duke University, as im take major step for im career for NBA. Di 201cm player go enta United States for di end of 2026-27 NBL season to join Blue Devils for dia 2027-28 college basketball campaign.
Paul dey widely seen as potential first-round pick for 2028 NBA draft. E reveal im decision on Friday, e talk say one phone call wit Duke coaching staff don convince am.
"I wan go to place wey go help me develop my player performance and carry me go di next level, wey be di NBA," e tell ESPN. "Afta di call wit coach (Jon) Scheyer, e just feel like place wey go be home for me."
Paul become di youngest athlete to sign multi-year deal as part of NBL Next Stars program earlier dis year. Di programme don produce plenti NBA draft picks, including Josh Giddey, LaMelo Ball and Alex Sarr. Paul never debut for Taipans for NBL yet as e dey recover from ankle injury wey e suffer for pre-season, and dem name am for FIBA U17 World Cup All-Star Five afta e help Australia win bronze for July.
