PLAYING alongside a generational talent such as Cooper Flagg was always going to change Aussie Tyrese Proctor‘s life as a member of the Duke Blue Devils, but the guard has adapted his game to show he can still contribute despite getting less of the ball.

Flagg is the kind of prospect that magnetizes the play, with much of Duke’s ball movement typically running through his hands, despite being in his freshman season with the premier program in college basketball.

This certainly changed the outlook for Proctor, who made a name for himself as a creative point guard who thrives with ball in hand. In his first two seasons with the Blue Devils, the Sydney native averaged over three assists a game, and much of Duke’s offensive work in half court sets ran through him. He was capable of running pick and rolls and helped set up his teammates with precise passes.

Since Flagg joined the team, those numbers have dropped, and it is a change that is even more evident when watching Duke games. The highly touted Freshman demands the ball given his ability to essentially do it all, whether it is score, defend, rebound or pass.

Flagg is clearly the focal point on the offensive end, with the Blue Devils happy to move it through several sets of hands, just as long as their star is involved more often than not. It is a move that has worked wonders, with Flagg proving to be the star player he was expected to be, averaging 19.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists.

This has meant Proctor is not able to play the role he has built a career around, and now being asked to play off-ball and get himself involved as a catch-and-shoot player. His one-wood on the scoring front was his ability to put pressure on the rim and score while going downhill. He also showed an ability to score mid-range shots after stopping on a dime and pulling up for the shot.

However, since Flagg became the number-one option for the Blue Devils, Proctor has been tasked with becoming more of a spot up shooter from behind the arc. It is a move that he has accepted willingly, clearly putting in work on his jumpshot at training over the course of the season.

It is evident that he is much more confident in his shot, showing a steadier motion that has resulted in career best numbers from behind the arc. Heading into March Madness, Proctor is shooting 40 per cent from three-point territory, after shooting 35 per cent or less prior to this change.

One massive boost for Proctor on this front is the fact that Flagg simply draws so much defensive attention, that it often results in wide open looks for the Aussie. The combo guard now knows how to get to the right spots, and has shown a new side to his games, that while detrimental to his production as a playmaker, has increased his overall scoring and shows how versatile his game is.

With the NBA Draft approaching, the upcoming National Tournament is the perfect platform to shine for Proctor, and while scouts will remember which role suits him best, his ability to change the shape of his game will be of value at the top level.