Duke Champ Justise Winslow Earns Another Shot in NBA

Originally posted on Duke Blue Devils on SI
By Matt Giles | Last updated Feb 11, 2024 10:09 AM ET

Despite eight years and 344 games of NBA experience, Justise Winslow didn't land with a franchise this past offseason as a free agent. But the 27-year-old Duke basketball product has been a force for the Toronto Raptors' G League affiliate, the Raptors 905, averaging 16.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.2 steals per outing.

And on Saturday, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Toronto has rewarded Winslow's efforts and at least temporarily filled a vacant roster spot by inking the 2015 Duke basketball national champ and one-and-done lottery pick to a 10-day contract.

So, Justise Winslow, a versatile forward with 128 starts under his belt in the NBA, will earn $166,176 for his call-up with the Raptors and have a chance to potentially prove his worth to the tune of a full-time deal.

He'll be a teammate to Toronto's two full-fledged NBA Blue Devils in guards RJ Barrett, a full-time starter who returned to his hometown from the New York Knicks via the trade route in late December, and Gary Trent Jr., who is in his fourth season with the franchise and has recently started 13 straight games.

The Raptors (19-34), No. 12 in the Eastern Conference standings and coming off Saturday's 119-95 home loss to the red-hot Cleveland Cavaliers (35-16), next host the San Antonio Spurs (10-43) and their Duke talent, guard Tre Jones, at 7:30 p.m. ET Monday.

This article first appeared on Duke Blue Devils on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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