Duke evaluating its women’s basketball program

Duke is evaluating its women’s basketball program, the school’s athletics department announced Tuesday.

This is the statement:

“The welfare and success of our student-athletes are among Duke’s highest priorities. To that end, we are in the process of conducting an evaluation of the Duke women’s basketball program. This effort is led by a Duke human resources professional outside the athletics department. Coach (JoAnne P.) McCallie is aware of the evaluation and eager to assist. We look forward to hearing the insights of those involved in the program and any recommendations that may result from this evaluation.”

Earlier Tuesday, SB Nation’s blog for women’s basketball, Swish Appeal, reported Duke has begun an investigation into the program for the mistreatment of players and assistant coaches.

McCallie has been at Duke for nine seasons with a 245-65 overall record (.790). Duke made four straight Elite Eight appearances in 2010-13 with three ACC tournament championships during that span, but the Blue Devils are coming off of their worst season in 21 years as they finished 20-12 (8-8 ACC) and missed the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1994. The Blue Devils also fell out of the Top 25 for the first time since 1999.

After the season, sophomore wing Azurá Stevens, an honorable mention Associated Press All-American, left the program along with freshman guard Angela Salvadores, a native of Spain who started 15 games and was the preseason national freshman of the year. Fifth-year center Amber Henson also took a midyear leave of absence before returning to the team.

During the 2014-15 season, freshman Sierra Calhoun, a McDonald’s All-American, left the team midseason after starting all 13 games. She transferred to Ohio State last summer. Former Duke assistant coach (and alumna) Joy Cheek left McCallie’s staff after the 2012-13 season for a similar position at Ohio State. Former Duke signee Kianna Holland, a finalist for Parade Magazine’s national high school player of the year, left the Blue Devils before playing a game in the 2013-14 season and transferred to Ohio State.

After the 2013-14 season, former McDonald’s All-American and starting point guard Alexis Jones opted to transfer to Baylor, closer to her Texas home. Former McDonald’s All-American Sierra Moore was not in the rotation as a freshman in 2012-13 before transferring to Penn State.

Cheek is one of four former McCallie assistants to leave for a similar position elsewhere: Shannon Perry (left after 2008-09 campaign, hired at UCLA before the 2011-12 season), Samantha Williams (left for Louisville after 2010-11 season) and Trisha Stafford-Odom (after the 2010-11 season for North Carolina).

This story was originally published April 12, 2016 at 5:02 PM with the headline "Duke evaluating its women’s basketball program."