Duke’s Justise Winslow one-and-done, will enter NBA draft

Duke freshman Justise Winslow is one-and-done in Durham, N.C.

Winslow announced Tuesday he’ll be turning pro instead of returning to the reigning national champion Blue Devils.

“Since I was a kid in third grade playing for the Houston Jaguars, I envisioned one day playing at the collegiate level and winning a championship,” Winslow said in a statement. “With that being said, my family and I have decided that I should declare for the NBA draft this year.”

Winslow is rated as the fifth-best prospect in June’s NBA draft, according to DraftExpress.com. Jahlil Okafor, another Duke freshman who has opted for the draft, is rated No. 2 overall.

Winslow’s decision to enter the draft doesn’t come as a surprise, especially these days in college basketball, after putting together an impressive college resume in just one year.

The 6-foot-7, 229-pound forward averaged 12.6 points with 6.5 rebounds per game for the Blue Devils during the regular season despite battling a rib injury.

Then, in the NCAA tournament, Winslow came into his own, averaging 14.3 points and 9.3 rebounds. In the Final Four semifinal against Michigan State -- his best game of the tournament -- Winslow led the Blue Devils in scoring with 19 points and had nine rebounds.

“[Winslow] had a sensational year, both on and off the court,” Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski said in the school’s announcement that Winslow would be entering the draft. “He was an amazing factor for our success in winning the national championship. ... This is a great time to take advantage of this opportunity.”

Follow Matt Wilhalme on Twitter @mattwilhalme