Duke's Mike Krzyzewski: 'Marques Bolden will be one of the best big men in the country next season'

Marques Bolden averaged less than four points per game as a sophomore for Duke last season, but Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski thinks the 6-foot-11 center’s stats will improve dramatically in 2018-19.

“We feel like Marques Bolden will be one of the best big men in the country next season,” Krzyzewski said Monday on FanRag Sports’ College Hoops Today Podcast. “If you look at his career, he’s always battled injuries. We’re hopeful that now that he’s healthy, he’s going to have a heck of a season for us.”

Bolden was a five-star recruit out of high school and committed to Duke over Kansas, Kentucky and North Carolina, among others, according to 247Sports. But he battled injuries throughout his freshman year and averaged just 1.5 points per game in 24 appearances.

The following season, Bolden decided to return to Duke after reports indicated he was going to transfer. He tallied 3.9 points and 3.6 rebounds per game in 2017-18, playing behind big men Wendell Carter Jr. and Marvin Bagley III, both of whom were top-10 picks in last week’s NBA draft.

Duke signed four of the top 15 prospects in the 2018 class after losing all five starters from a team that went 29-8 last season. Bolden will have to compete for playing time with freshmen forwards Zion Williamson and Cameron Reddish as well as junior Javin DeLaurier.