Wilson to graduate, transfer from Marquette

Duane Wilson was the consummate team player during his time at Marquette. After sitting out his first season in 2013-'14 due to a stress fracture in his left leg, Wilson accepted every role he was asked to perform.

As a redshirt freshman, he carried a major scoring role, averaging 11.9 points per game on the way to being named to the Big East all-rookie team. The next season, he took on the role of captain for the Golden Eagles, serving as their leader on and off the court. This season, he was asked to come off the bench in limited minutes as a wing and affect the game with his defense, hustle and intensity.

Following four years of giving Marquette everything he had and humbly doing everything he could for the sake of the team, Wilson decided Monday to make a change he believes will be best for him. The 6-foot-2 guard will graduate in May and transfer to finish his basketball eligibility.

The decision wasn't one he expected to make even a few days ago. Following Marquette's 93-73 loss to South Carolina in the NCAA Tournament, Wilson had talked excitedly about being at Marquette and continuing to build on the success of this season.

"It was just the past few days right when we got back to Milwaukee, I just did a lot of thinking on my own and really just weighed my options and thought about my future," Wilson told the Journal Sentinel. "I just felt like that was the best move and decision for me and my son, honestly. That was a big part of my decision — my family. I love Marquette, I love the coaching staff from A to Z, everybody that helps out the program — I love them. It was just the right thing."

Wilson sat down with head coach Steve Wojciechowski on Monday afternoon to tell him of his decision. The two had a constructive, respectful conversation and left with no hard feelings as well as a solid understanding of each other's point of view. In a statement from the athletics department, Wojciechowski pledged his support to helping Wilson during his transfer process and beyond.

Ultimately, one of the strongest drivers behind Wilson's decision is he wants to play more and wants to play point guard. He recognizes and understands that freshman Markus Howard and redshirt junior Andrew Rowsey will be the team's point guards, leaving that option unavailable to him at Marquette. He harbors no  jealousy toward Howard and Rowsey, calling them both his "brothers."

For Wilson to progress as a player and maintain his hopes of playing professionally, though, he'll need more game action.

"I came into college as a point guard. That's what I wanted to do and I just felt like me going away and finding a better place would be better for me," Wilson said.

"Getting the chance to play point guard, those would be the schools I'm looking into — to play combo guard on and off the ball. Just really a bigger role. I accepted my role, the role that I had, even though it was different. It was tough at times, but it was what was best for the team. ... I feel like I excelled in my role and I wanted a bigger role. I felt like going somewhere else would give me that opportunity."

Wilson played in 30 games for the Golden Eagles in 2016-'17, earning seven starts and 16.4 minutes per contest. He averaged 4.8 points and 1.8 rebounds per game. Through his career, he started 51 of his 95 games played and averaged 9.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game.

A Milwaukee native and a graduate of Whitefish Bay Dominican, Wilson will be immediately eligible to compete during the 2017-'18. The Big East does not allow for transfers within the conference, but there are no indications that Marquette would limit Wilson's ability to transfer to any other institution.

As close as he is with his family and as much as he loves his hometown, Wilson plans on casting a wide net in his search for his next school.

"I'm open to anywhere," he said. "I'm trying to find the best fit for me and my family. A lot of people probably thought I would stay because of my son, but my son he doesn't even live in Milwaukee, he lives in Illinois. We work things out. I could be able to have my mom go there and get him and then fly to whatever school I go to or if that school is driving distance I have a great relationship with his mom where we can figure things out. It's really not a big thing."

Wilson's decision to transfer severs the program's final tie to former coach Buzz Williams as now every player on the roster was recruited by Wojciechowski. It also removes one of Marquette's most steady, veteran voices from the locker room and leaves the Golden Eagles with three available scholarships heading into the 2017-'18 season.

Additionally, Wilson's decision makes his appearance on the court during Marquette's pregame ceremony on senior day even more poignant. Seniors Jajuan Johnson and Luke Fischer — not knowing Wilson's future plans — wanted him to come out with them since he had been there four years and they were the three longest-tenured players in the program. Ultimately, Wilson decided to keep things low-key, accompanying Johnson's family and getting announced as "friend, Duane."

Considering his time at Marquette, Wilson choosing to quietly show support and let others take the spotlight seems like a fitting end.

"Marquette is a small school but it's a family for everyone," Wilson said. "One thing I take away is the memories that I've had here. I've had memories that were bad memories, good memories and stuff that you would never forget. Stuff that I can tell my son when he gets older that I was part of the team that brought Marquette back to the tournament.

"My time at Marquette, it's been a great four years. I've learned a lot. ... I needed it for me to grow up as a man on and off the court."