DURHAM, NC — Michael Savarino, the grandson of retired Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski, has entered the transfer portal and will be utilizing his final season away from Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Savarino, who is leaving the Blue Devils as a graduate, rarely came off the bench during his career at Duke unless the game was decided, averaging 1.1 points in 11 games this season. Savarino is the son of Debbie Krzyzewski Savarino, the eldest daughter of Krzyzewski and his wife Mickie. Debbie Savarino is Associate Director of Athletics at Duke.
Coach K retired after 47 years as coach at the end of the 2021-2022 season after guiding Duke to the Final Four. Jon Scheyer, 34, was named as his replacement before the start of the season.
Savarino made headlines earlier this season after being arrested for drunk driving and teammate Paolo Banchero, a freshman, was charged with aiding and abetting drunk driving.
According to authorities, a white 2017 Jeep SUV registered in Banchero was pulled over by the North Carolina Highway Patrol in Orange County at 1:10 am Sunday, November 14 for violating a stop sign. Savarino, 20, was behind the wheel and Banchero in the back seat, police said.
Blue Devils guard Michael Savarino enters the transfer portal.
According to an arrest report obtained by the Orange County District Court, Savarino underwent two breathalyzer tests and blew a 0.08 BAC. According to the report, the arresting officer said he smelled alcohol on Savarino’s breath.
More: Duke’s Coach K responds to DWI charges against Paolo Banchero, grandson Michael Savarino
Savarino’s departure comes a day after Mark Williams declared a sophomore draft for the NBA, becoming the first Duke player from the 2021-2022 roster to do so.
The 7-footer from Virginia Beach averaged 11.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.8 blocks during the 2021-2022 season, was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year and was a finalist for Naismith Defensive Player of the Year. It is projected as mid to late of the first lap. He announced his decision on social media later Monday afternoon.
The story goes on
Duke’s Banchero, Trevor Keels, AJ Griffin and Junior Wendell Moore are also expected to make NBA draft decisions in the coming days.
David Thompson is an award-winning reporter for the USA Today Network, covering NC State and Duke athletics. He can be reached at [email protected], at 828-231-1747 or on Twitter at @daveth89.
This article originally appeared on the USA TODAY NETWORK: Coach K’s grandson, Michael Savarino, is leaving Duke Basketball