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Australian 17-year-old NBL Next Star Luke Paul has committed to Duke University for the 2027-28 season while recovering from an ankle injury ahead of a possible Cairns Taipans debut.
Australian teenager Luke Paul has committed to US college powerhouse Duke University for the 2027-28 season. The 17-year-old NBL Next Star announced his decision on Friday, choosing the Blue Devils over other options.
Paul Targets NBA Lottery at Duke
Paul told ESPN he wants to reach the NBA as a lottery pick and trusts Duke's player development to get him there. He also said winning a national championship at Duke is the ultimate goal for him. Duke, known recently as the Brotherhood, has a storied history of guiding star prospects into the NBA. More than 100 of the program's alumni have made it to the biggest league in the world.
The commitment continues a remarkable rise for Paul, who has already joined the Boomers brotherhood. He took part in national team scrimmages this winter alongside superstars Josh Giddey, Dyson Daniels and Ben Simmons. Paul described the Boomers camp as an insane and amazing experience. He said having so many high-level guys in one room gave him great insight and made him want to be a Boomer even more than before.
Boomers Camp Boosts Pauls Confidence
Before he can make his NBL debut with the Cairns Taipans, Paul must pass a fitness test on an injured ankle. His first game could come against Melbourne United at John Cain Arena on Saturday night, though the team had not made a final call as of late Friday afternoon. The injury came from a painful lesson just three days into Taipans pre-season training.
Paul arrived early and played one-on-one games with teammates when he landed on a player's foot and hurt his ankle. He noted he normally tapes his ankles but the injury happened just before practice. Taipans coach Adam Forde curbed his frustration, knowing such errors are part of the journey for even the most talented players. Forde joked that maybe Paul should visit the physio first before playing one-on-ones, calling it a classic rookie error.
But he added these are the lessons you learn, as Paul is a pro now and having his body right is part of his work. The injury kept Paul out for all of pre-season and for four games so far. Despite that, he has still formed tight bonds with his veteran teammates. Paul said he is so hungry to get out there and eager to show the world what he is capable of.
Cairns Taipans Deal With Pauls Injury
He wants to go out and fear no one on the court. Paul is ineligible to enter the NBA until the 2028 draft. A strong freshman season at Duke could be all he needs to rocket to the big leagues, but he could stay longer if needed. He is already a world-class talent who stands at 198 centimetres and is still growing.
He possesses passing and finishing skills reminiscent of Giddey and Simmons. Forde has known about Paul's potential for a couple of years. Some fans might wonder why such a highly rated player, who could take his pick of NBL franchises, chose to go the furthest distance from his family in Perth. Part of that answer dates back two years to a nondescript NBL game between the Taipans and Perth Wildcats in Perth.
Forde Remembers Pauls Early Talent
Forde has deep roots in the west, having coached for Basketball WA and with the Wildcats. With a team shootaround scheduled, Forde called then WA high-performance head Dave Naylor to ask if some local young guns could join the session. Forde had heard Paul's name as a player to watch but had not given it much thought as he schemed to shut down Bryce Cotton and the Wildcats.
He soon took notice of a tall, sandy-haired guard who took over the session. Forde recalled it was like a captain's run at about 80 per cent and Luke was just kicking their arse. Forde got mad at his guys, noting that with a bunch of teenagers there, Paul was kicking guys' arses the whole session. He told the coaches afterwards that they had to keep an eye on him.
Two years on, Forde said Paul has grown another six to seven inches. He has big hands, a great head on his shoulders and naturally such a good feel for the game. Forde added he is glad Paul is on his team now and not kicking their butts at training. The coach's early assessment has proven correct as Paul now stands on the verge of an NBL debut and a Duke career.
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brisbanetimes:Simmons, Giddey, Daniels, Paul? The next Aussie gun on the path to hoops stardomThis story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
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