Mike Krzyzewski and Duke have added Columbia graduate transfer Patrick Tape to the program. After contacting several other Ivy League players as transfer candidates, Tape joins Duke; he will bring added depth to the team’s frontcourt.
The 6-foot-10 Tape, who hails from Matthews, N.C., left the Columbia program just before the start of the 2019-20 season. Tape hoped to pursue graduate transfer options for the 2020-21 season; Duke presents a very real opportunity, too.
Duke has landed Columbia grad transfer Patrick Tape, he told @Stadium.
Stats: 11.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg in 2018-19.
Strong, physical, aggressive post player. Scores most of his points around the basket.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) March 25, 2020
Over the course of three seasons with the Lions, Tape appeared in 69 games; as a junior during the 2018-19 season, Tape averaged 11.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. Tape connected on 17 dunks that season. In conference play that year, Tape led the Ivy with an 8.8 percent block rate, too.
According to Synergy Sports, Tape shot 58.7 percent on post-ups that season, which is critical for Duke. Going back of just the last couple of seasons, the Blue Devils have leaned heavily on the post game in their half-court offense: Jahlil Okafor, Amile Jefferson, Wendell Carter Jr., Marvin Bagley III, Zion Williamson and Vernon Carey Jr.
On non-post-up finishes around the hoop that year, Tape shot 71 percent — No. 3 in the Ivy League.
An industrious rebounder, Tape has career rebound rates of 11.5 percent on the offensive end and 20.8 percent on the defensive side of the floor.
With Duke likely losing Carey to the NBA and Javin DeLaurier exhausting his eligibility, the Blue Devils have minutes to offer at center.
Duke will add 4-star center Mark Williams to the program next season; the 7-footer is a top-30 prospect in the 2020 class. However, Tape will give Duke another option at the pivot — outside of some small-ball lineup combinations, too. If Williams needs time to develop, then Tape is a perfect stopgap. This gives Duke more options up front.