Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Duke's Brown not 100%, set for Final Four action

Written by 
Published in Breaking News
Friday, 04 April 2025 14:20

SAN ANTONIO -- Duke reserve forward Maliq Brown said he's ready for a bigger role in the Final Four this weekend after a shoulder injury significantly cut his playing time him in the Blue Devils' games last weekend.

Brown missed four games -- two in the NCAA tournament after two in the ACC tournament -- in the wake of his second left shoulder dislocation. That injury occurred in the quarterfinals of the ACC tournament against Georgia Tech. His earlier shoulder injury came Feb. 17 against Virginia.

Duke's plan heading into the Sweet 16 against Arizona was to use Brown only if the game necessitated it. When Duke's front line got into foul trouble, he played four minutes against Arizona and then three minutes in the Blue Devils' dominant win in the Elite Eight against Alabama.

Brown said Friday that he's faring better after a full week of practice and a focus on more live reps from the medical staff. He's said he's ready to return to close to his old role, in which he averaged more than 15 minutes per game.

"So I would definitely say it's a different perspective [from last week]," Brown told ESPN. "I'm not sure of my percentage, but to be honest, I feel good, compared to last week I feel better."

Brown acknowledged that he's not 100 percent. He admitted to being inhibited and thinking about contact last weekend.

"It was definitely a thought -- just a thought," Brown said. "Obviously just going back from a second injury like that so quick. Definitely a thought that was going on my head the first couple days, but I feel like once the first day I got up there, I think it was deflection or something and then I was just locked in.

"Not trying to think about my injury or anything, just trying to keep the team on the same page and just go out there and get that win."

Brown is a 6-foot-9, 222-pound forward whose value to the team belies his modest stats -- 2.4 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. He's a key defensive chess piece for Duke, as his ability to switch, guard multiple positions and deflect passes makes him a disruptive force and a pivotal role player.

He plays an average of 15.8 minutes per game, a number that's watered down because of a handful of injury-shortened performances. He played 29 minutes against Louisville, 25 minutes in Duke's win against Auburn in December and 24 minutes at Arizona.

Brown transferred to Duke this year from Syracuse, sacrificing more minutes and touches for more wins. That includes a chance to play a key role in the Final Four.

"I've been enjoying moment ever since I got here in the summer," Brown said. "Everything that I pretty much thought was going to happen, other than the injuries, [has happened].

"I've been enjoying the moment since I've been here. It's definitely a dream come true from high school, just wanting to obviously put on a Duke uniform."

Read 3 times

Soccer

Ancelotti: Olmo clearance doesn't mar LaLiga

Ancelotti: Olmo clearance doesn't mar LaLiga

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsReal Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti does not believe the decision to...

Depleted U.S. to experiment in Olympic rematch

Depleted U.S. to experiment in Olympic rematch

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsINGLEWOOD, Calif. -- United States women's national team coach Emma...

Arsenal's Arteta on Gabriel injury: We can cope

Arsenal's Arteta on Gabriel injury: We can cope

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMikel Arteta has claimed Arsenal "have the resources to cope" with...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

NBA fines Morant $75K for finger-gun gestures

NBA fines Morant $75K for finger-gun gestures

EmailPrintMIAMI -- Ja Morant showed off an imaginary gun. The NBA hit back with a real fine.A day af...

How Nikola Jokic quietly became a defensive analytics darling

How Nikola Jokic quietly became a defensive analytics darling

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsDRAPED IN A towel, Anthony Edwards burst into the Target Center hom...

Baseball

Soroka goes on IL after hurting arm in Nats debut

Soroka goes on IL after hurting arm in Nats debut

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsWASHINGTON -- Washington Nationals right-hander Michael Soroka went...

O's Henderson off IL; will make '25 debut vs. KC

O's Henderson off IL; will make '25 debut vs. KC

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBaltimore Orioles All-Star shortstop Gunnar Henderson was activated...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated