Harry Giles isn't the only former Duke basketball one-and-done currently on the outside looking in when it comes to the NBA. No, at the time of this article's publishing, the 25-year-old center, drafted No. 20 overall in 2017 despite a somewhat limited role for the Blue Devils, is one of 10 on that list.
But Giles is in the top half of that group if put in order of which guys have the best shot to land somewhere in the league next season.
During the week of the NBA Summer League, Giles showed off his on-court improvements in a private workout for about a dozen NBA teams. And in interviews that week, he expressed his recharged approach and optimism about rebooting his pro career at the highest level.
Then at the Miami Pro League on Tuesday night, Giles put his work on display to the tune of 42 points and 15 rebounds in a single game.
As one can see in the highlights above, the 6-foot-11, 240-pound agile big man, at one time the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2016 recruiting class before multiple knee surgeries robbed him of some of his bounce, is light on his feet, in tip-top shape, and confidently explosive without the need of a knee brace.
Add in his seemingly well-refined catch-and-shoot stroke from three.
Yes, Harry Giles, who averaged 5.9 points and 3.8 rebounds across 142 games between his stints with the Sacramento Kings and Portland Trail Blazers, sure looks like an NBA-ready athlete again. However, it's worth noting that his last appearance was over two years ago.
Still, it's certainly worth watching where his journey goes from here.
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