Tyrese Proctor, currently ranked No. 28 on ESPN’s Top 100, has rapidly established himself as one of the best lead guards in college basketball. Known for his playmaking, defense and leadership on the court, Proctor has become a standout at Duke.
Proctor’s sophomore campaign saw him named a team captain, only the fourth sophomore to achieve this in Duke’s history. His 2.95 assist-to-turnover ratio ranked 25th nationally, showcasing his ability to control the game while minimizing mistakes. He averaged 10.5 points per game and led his team in assists, asserting his role as the lead guard for the Blue Devils, who at times ran a three-guard lineup last year.
Recently, Proctor spoke with with HoopsHype to reflect on his basketball journey, his time in Australia’s NBA Global Academy, his thoughts on the modern game, his college basketball experience and more.
Tyrese Proctor: It’s been great. I’m just gonna feel for everyone, some has been great. It’s been competitive and I’m just excited to get going.
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TP: Coming in early year, it was a lot, but it was, you know, I was ready for the challenge and had a solid two years. But you know, I know I’m capable of much more and had a great summer this summer, and I’m just ready.
TP: I’m not really trying to prove nothing, I’m just trying to win. I think the biggest thing for me is just winning. I want to be known as being a winning player and being able to play on teams with other great guys and to be able to win.
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TP: That’s something I’ve never paid attention to. Coming from Australia, there’s not as much hype over there, so I’ve always been grounded. My family’s always kept me grounded. If you’re on social media, you’re gonna see it here and there, but I just try to stay off social media as much as I can and not focus on any of it.
TP: I mean, it’s cool. I lived with all those guys in the academy, have close relationships with all of them. So, it’s just cool how basketball in Australia is now being seen by the world, and the NBA has taken a big jump as well. It’s getting a lot more eyes on it now. The game is just as physical over there as it is here. The pace of the game is something I had to get used to over here, but besides that, it’s pretty much the same basketball, and it’s great being from Australia.
TP: I think people think I take a backseat in scoring and stuff like that, but I don’t think basketball is all about scoring. I can score the ball, but I need to shoot the ball better. I haven’t shot it as well the last two years, but I’ve been able to score the ball offensively. I think I’ve done a great job defensively, leadership-wise, and stuff like that, but I feel underrated and overlooked as a scorer. However, I don’t pay too much attention to that; I’m just out there trying to make winning plays and win games. Whether I score 20 points one night or 5 points another, it’s just what I have to do to win.
TP: I mean, I’ll be watching the NBA as a whole. I watch my own tape and focus on what I can get better at on a daily basis.
TP: Just my mental toughness. The season is such a roller coaster; you can get lost in losses or big wins. I think just staying level-headed has been a big area of growth for me. This year, I’m the head of the ship, so I’ve got to make sure I stay level-headed the whole year.
TP: Whatever coach wants, I’ll do. We played with three guards last year, so I was on-ball, off-ball. It doesn’t matter. Whatever I’ve got to do to help us win games, I’ll do. Caleb (Foster) can handle the ball, I can handle the ball, everyone can, so there’s no one particular guy.
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TP: I think my mindset about the game. I don’t get lost in the outside world or what people expect. I’m locked in on winning basketball games and trying to progress each day.
TP: I mean, Canada was good. It was one time we could go in and have a little bit of fun and get used to playing in front of a crowd. But it’s nothing like playing in Cameron in front of the crazies. It was a good experience.
TP: I hadn’t seen Coop play before Duke; I watched maybe a game or two online. But his daily work ethic is impressive. We’re in the gym together all the time, and his mindset – coming in and not worrying about the media – is special. He’s consistent on both ends of the floor, and all the freshmen are evolving into not being freshmen anymore. They’ve got to step up, and the quicker we shift their mindset, the better we’ll be. Isaiah, Darren, Pat – they’ve all really impressed me, and we’ve got a great freshman class.
TP: Just sharpening up my offensive game. My body was a big thing too –keeping my weight consistent throughout the season. I’ve got a great nutritionist now and have changed a lot of off-court habits that will help me improve on the court.
