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It was the kind of dunk that jazzes up an arena, triggers the “like” button on social media and earns a hallowed spot on “SportsCenter.”
That is what USD freshman guard Tony Duckett flashed in the first half Thursday night when he received a pass from Devan Dahlke, took one dribble and threw down a soaring two-handed jam over Washington State’s 6-foot-10 Ethan Price.
Earlier, the 6-5, 185-pound freshman from Carlsbad produced a similar highlight when he drove left and angled off a defender before throwing down an emphatic right-handed dunk over two Cougars defenders.
The Toreros (4-15, 1-5 WCC) lost 65-61 and are struggling through a five-game losing skid, but Duckett’s play has been an emerging bright spot. Duckett finished with 14 points against Washington State; he scored in double figures in four of his last five games.
In 15 games, 11 of them starts, Duckett is averaging 7.5 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists. His is shooting 39.8% from the field.
It’s an impressive start for a player who had no other Division I offers following a stellar career at Carlsbad High School. As a senior, Duckett was part of a 30-3 team that included Jake Hall, a UCSD commit, and Jael Martin, who is a freshman at Loyola Marymount.
Coach Steve Lavin and the Toreros made an offer in May — relatively late in the recruiting cycle — after Duckett impressed in a pick-up run at USD.
“I always stayed confident in myself that I could play with anybody so once I got the shot, that’s all I needed,” Duckett said. “I always knew I could play at this level…Now, overall I just want to keep improving in every area.”
Lavin and his staff began tracking Duckett after attending Carlsbad games with the original intention of scouting Hall.
“What he’s demonstrated is what we saw: he can score in a variety of ways…he’s getting better defensively and he’s going to have to continue to get stronger but he has that classic basketball build,” Lavin said. “That lean, wiry, length. And underrated strength…Uses change of pace well. We’re pleased with his progress.”
Duckett’s scoring has primarily come from a mixture of leak outs on fastbreaks, a smooth mid-range jump shot and slithery drives to the basket.
He’s also made 11 of 29 3-point attempts and 12 of 16 free throws while continuing to adapt to the size, quickness, experience and physicality of Division I competition.
And those dunks that got Jenny Craig Pavilion jumping Thursday night?
“The coaches told me, ‘Go up stronger so this week.’ I’ve been practicing going to the rim strong and flushing it,” Duckett said. “I haven’t done that in a while so they probably didn’t expect it.”
Next up: 6 p.m. Saturday at Loyola Marymount (10-8, 2-4 WCC). Streaming: ESPN+
Tritons bounce back
UC San Diego (15-4, 5-2 Big West) responded rolled to an 80-54 win at Long Beach State Thursday.
Tyler McGhie led the way with 26 points on 10-of-16 shooting, Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones added 18 points and Justin Rochelin chipped in with 11 as the Tritons shot a season-best 58% from the field while limiting Long Beach to 43% shooting.
The Tritons remain one game back of UC Irvine in the Big West standings. The Anteaters beat UCSD last weekend at LionTree Arena.
Next up: 5 p.m. Saturday at UC Riverside (10-8, 3-3 Big West). Streaming: ESPN+.
Sea Lions rolling
Point Loma Nazarene (15-4, 5-2 PacWest) won for the fifth straight time and completed a season sweep of conference contender Biola Thursday with a 76-70 victory in La Mirada.
Guard Zack Paulsen scored 29 points for the second consecutive game for the 21st-ranked Sea Lions. Coby Barnes added 16 points and Luke Haupt (St. Augustine High School) had 15 as the Sea Lions stretched their conference lead to three games over second-place Chaminade (12-5, 6-4 PacWest).
Next up: 4 p.m. Saturday vs. Chaminade. Streaming: pacwestnetwork.tv.
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