ONE OF Australia’s brightest prospects in 2024 is Tyrese Proctor, and the young guard has had a solid few games to start his junior season with the Duke Blue Devils.

Playing with the most famous college team in the world comes with a lot of pressure, but Proctor has shown the ability to absorb the weight of expectation and demonstrate the fact that his ability should translate to NBA level.

Much of the spotlight in the 2024/25 season will be on Proctor’s teammate Cooper Flagg, a highly touted prospect who is almost certain to be selected with the first overall pick in next year’s NBA Draft. However, Proctor will still be eager to cap off an impressive collegiate career as he looks to join the world’s best basketball competition as well.

Now in his junior season, the Aussie is posting career-highs across the first three games of the season, and has shown excellent growth in several areas of his game. If he can continue to perform at this level, it should boost his standing on draft boards and increase his value on draft night. He is currently projected to be a second-round pick in a stacked draft class, and if he keeps showing his growth over the last 12 months, that could edge closer to a first-round selection.

The first three games of this season have seen Proctor operate largely around the three-point line, which is reasonably unfamiliar territory for the 20-year-old. When he first joined Duke, he was reliant on his slashing ability to score the basketball.

Now with Flagg becoming the number-one option for touches, Proctor has adapted his game to contribute off the ball, and works hard in half-court sets to get open. His jumpshot now looks reliable, and he is as confident as ever at shooting the ball from behind the arc.

Across Duke’s first three games, Proctor has poured in nine three-pointers on 19 attempts in an efficient start to the season. He had already shown his strengths in driving to the basket and passing to teammates, but now has demonstrated his qualities as a three-level scorer.

Proctor has produced 10, 14 and 12 points in his first three outings, which is made all the more impressive given how many shots are taken by the talented Flagg. Adaptability is crucial in the NBA, especially for rookies, and Proctor has shown exactly that this season, understanding his role within the Blue Devils program and showing a new side to his game.