Duquesne’s Kevin Easley Jr. pulls name from NBA Draft consideration, returns to school

Jerry Dipaola | Thursday, May 26, 2022 7:26 p.m.

Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review

Weber State’s Jamison Overton blocks the shot of Duquesne’s Kevin Easley Jr. in the second half on Monday, Nov. 15, 2021 at UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse.

Duquesne’s rebuilding efforts received a familiar boost Thursday when forward Kevin Easley Jr. withdrew his name from the NBA Draft and decided to return to school.

Easley was the Dukes’ leading rebounder last season, with an average of 6.6 per game. He started 26 games, averaged 31.8 minutes per game and was the third-leading scorer (10.7 points).

Dukes coach Keith Dambrot will welcome Easley’s experience, plus nine new players this year, including transfer guards Dae Dae Grant, Tevin Brewer, Tre Clark and Quincy McGriff. In addition, freshmen Devin Carney (Butler), Halil Barre, David Dixon, Matus Hronsky and Kareem Rozier will join the team.