Durham, NC – As the 2025 NBA Draft approaches, Duke Blue Devils’ star forward Dereck Lively Jr. is generating significant interest from lottery teams.
According to sources close to the situation, Lively’s impressive freshman season has caught the attention of several top NBA teams, including the Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Hornets, and San Antonio Spurs.
“Dereck is a talented young player with a lot of potential,” said an NBA scout. “He’s got the size, athleticism, and skill to be a dominant force in the league. We’re definitely keeping a close eye on him.”
Lively, a 6’11” forward from Pennsylvania, averaged 12.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game for the Blue Devils this season. He was named to the ACC All-Freshman Team and was a key contributor to Duke’s NCAA Tournament run.
While Lively has not officially declared for the NBA Draft, sources indicate that he is strongly considering forgoing his remaining college eligibility to pursue a professional career.
“Dereck is weighing his options and will make a decision that’s best for him,” said Duke head coach Jon Scheyer. “We support him either way and are proud of the progress he’s made as a player.”
The NBA Draft is scheduled to take place on June 25, 2025. If Lively does decide to enter the draft, he is expected to be a top-10 pick.
