Wendell Moore to play today for Duke against Syracuse
For the first time in four weeks, Wendell Moore is expected to play for Duke.
The freshman guard, out since breaking a bone in his right hand on Jan. 4, has practiced the last two days as the No. 9 Blue Devils prepared for their ACC game at Syracuse on Saturday night (8 p.m., ESPN).
The team’s medical staff cleared him to play and Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski declared him available following Saturday’s team shoot-around.
Moore last played in Duke’s 95-62 win at Miami on Jan. 4. Late in the second half, he injured his shooting hand while playing defense. X-rays revealed a broken fourth metacarpal bone and he had surgery on Jan. 6. He’s missed Duke’s last six games.
Wearing a protective brace as the bone healed, Moore was able to do conditioning work to stay in shape.
He had the brace removed earlier this week, allowing him to take part in Duke’s pregame warmups at Cameron Indoor Stadium prior to Tuesday night’s 79-67 win over Pittsburgh.
The 6-6 Moore, who is from Charlotte and played at Concord’s Cox Mill High School, played in each of Duke’s first 14 games with five starting assignments. He averages 7.4 points with 3.9 rebounds and has made 44 percent of his shots.