Gary Trent’s decision to enter the 2018 NBA Draft wasn’t exactly a shock. However, the departure of Duke’s top two three-point shooters — Trent and Grayson Allen — means the Blue Devils are in need of some perimeter marksmanship. Hence why it was little surprise when the team reportedly pursued Albany grad transfer Joe Cremo.
On the robust grad transfer circuit, Cremo is one of the best shooters available. (Which I detailed in this piece last month.) Hypothetically, Cremo makes a lot of sense in Durham; however, his interest seems to have moved north and west.
The Toast of the Town
Right now, the college basketball world belongs to Villanova. The Wildcats just went 36-4, and are coming off their second national championship in three years. Villanova and Duke were the only two teams to finish top 15 in offensive and defensive efficiency, per KenPom. Jay Wright is landing in think-pieces, next to names like Krzyzewski and Roy; two Wildcats are projected as first round NBA Draft picks; another powerful recruiting class is headed to town, too.
This is college basketball’s current It Program — and rightfully so. Villanova plays a wildly fun, spacey brand of basketball, shoots a ton of three-pointers and puts dudes in the pros, consistently.
Well, with Donte DiVincenzo testing the NBA Draft waters, Nova could be in need of another shooter on the wing. If you’re a shooter like Joe Cremo, what better place to play than a program that go over 40 percent of its points this season from beyond the arc?
Cremo will reportedly visit Wright and Villanova this week.
The Romeo Langford Factor
Earlier this week, Romeo Langford — the No. 1 shooting guard in America — committed to Indiana. The other finalists for Langford, previously a target of North Carolina, were Kansas and Vanderbilt (because of course). Bill Self will attempt to rebound quickly: Joe Cremo will visit Lawrence later this week, per ESPN’s Jeff Goodman.
Albany grad transfer Joe Cremo told ESPN that he will visit Villanova on Wednesday and Kansas this weekend. 6-4 guard averaged 17.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists this past season.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) April 30, 2018
The Jayhawks, like Duke, appear to need shooting help; without Langford doing a quick one-and-done tour through Big 12 country, Cremo is a now a priority for Bill Self.
Others in the mix, too
Villanova and Kansas are the two biggest name programs mentioned around Cremo, outside of Duke. However, they aren’t alone in that distinction. A report from Jon Rothstein a few weeks ago claimed that Cremo had narrowed his list of schools to five, which included power programs like Creighton, Texas, Oregon and Gonzaga.
Albany grad transfer Joe Cremo has cut his list to Creighton, Oregon, Gonzaga, Texas, and Penn State, per a source. Visits Creighton this weekend.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) April 11, 2018
Duke, obviously, is not on this reported list, and interest between the two parties seems to have cooled. But the fact that Villanova and Kansas have made a recent surge — he’s visiting the two places this week — makes me wonder if Duke is still in the running for Cremo, or interested in rejoining.
The lack of news surrounding Duke and Cremo makes it seem as if the 6-foot-4 guard is headed elsewhere; but it’s still worth monitoring.
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