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Everyone’s Talking About Wendell

And with good reason

Duke v North Carolina
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 08: Wendell Moore Jr. #0 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after making the game winning shot to defeat the North Carolina Tar Heels 98-96 with teammates Joey Baker #13 and Jordan Goldwire #14 during their game at Dean Smith Center on February 08, 2020 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Most Duke fans by now have seen the clip of Wendell Moore doing a jaw-dropping dunk in practice and take it as an augur of good things to come.

And that’s what his coaches think too.

Moore, who has been erratic and struggled at times with his confidence, looks to have taken the next step or maybe more. He’s stronger, he’s better conditioned and, perhaps most importantly, he understands his journey better and has the confidence that he lacked before. Here’s what coach Mike Krzyzewski has to say:

“All those things that are said and all the sudden the guy is good,” Coach K told the Raleigh News & Observer. “(People say) `Well, I’m surprised.’ Well, you’re surprised because you don’t know it’s a process. I mean, you don’t get an app to be good. You have to earn being good. And he spent the spring changing his body and how he runs. He’s taller now. He’s a much better athlete.”

You don’t have to see much to know that’s true.

Assistant Nolan Smith said he’s proudest that Moore fought through the tough times and didn’t take the easy way and transfer. And now he - and Duke - stand poised to benefit from his maturation.