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Bolden returning to Duke

Maine v Duke

DURHAM, NC - DECEMBER 03: Marques Bolden #20 of the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on December 3, 2016 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

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Marques Bolden will spend his sophomore season at Duke.

The one-time five-star prospect will return for a second collegiate season in Durham, rebutting a previous report to the contrary, the school announced Monday.

“Despite rumors about my future that have circulated in recent days, I’m excited to announce that I’ll be returning to Duke for my sophomore year,” Bolden said in a statement released by Duke. “I have unbelievable support from my family, teammates and coaches. I’m ready to get to work for next season and I’m excited for what should be a great year for our program.”

There was a report that circulated Sunday that Bolden would look to transfer after a freshman season that saw him rarely crack the Blue Devils’ lineup. Instead, he’ll give it a second-go round under coach Mike Krzyzewski.

“We’re thrilled that Marques will continue to be part of our program,” Krzyzewski said in a statement. “In addition to being a talented basketball player, he’s an outstanding young man from a great family. It’s unfortunate that his freshman season was impacted by injury, but he has an opportunity to have a great summer and a special sophomore season.”

Bolden was considered by many as the top center in the 2016 class and was a consensus top-20 recruit. He was hampered early by a leg injury, and then he struggled to get much playing time for the Blue Devils. He averaged just 6.5 minutes per game and played in just 24 total contests.

Duke is adding another five-star big man to its roster next season with 6-foot-10 Wendell Carter, a top-10 consensus player, signed as part of the Blue Devils’ 2017 class.