The Duke Blue Devils aren’t having the season they envisioned having. One of their marquee players is choosing to sit out the rest of the season. According to Stadium’s Jeff Goodman, projected NBA lottery pick, Jalen Johnson, is opting out the rest of his freshman season at Duke.

Coming into the 2020 season, Johnson was considered the 13th best freshman prospect, per ESPN’s recruiting rankings. The Wisconsin native signed with Duke in hopes to join a program that would give him a chance to play in the NCAA tournament and give him a clearer path to the NBA.

However, the Blue Devils are 8-8 as they’ve lost six of their last nine games in the regular season. Duke is also 6-6 against ACC teams, putting them at risk of making the NCAA tournament this season. The Blue Devils have made 24 consecutive NCAA tournaments, which is the third-longest streak among Division I programs.

Some believe that Johnson is quitting on his Duke team by leaving the program before the season concludes. But with players not being paid as they’re being asked to play amid a pandemic, Johnson could very well be doing what is best for his future.

In his 13 games with Duke this season, Johnson tallied 11.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. The freshman forward also showed potential from the outside, converting on 44.4 percent of his three-point attempts.

Ahead of the 2021 NBA Draft, Johnson is considered a player who could hear his name called early in the first round. Nevertheless, he’s played his final game with Duke already as he seemingly prepares for the draft later this year.

Duke hosts Virginia later this week. With Virginia currently in first place in the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Cavaliers’ prospects of being able to win in Cameron Indoor Stadium and grab a valuable road win just gained a considerable boost in the final weeks before March Madness.