Josh Duncan has played the game he loved. Duncan grew up in the shadows of the Deveroes Summer Basketball League’s old and current home, Woodward High School, in Roselawn and first got his hoop aspirations as a third grader. He would spend countless hours playing pick up games at the park, in his backyard or the backyards of his neighborhood friends. Not a few people noticed the enthusiasm Josh has toward basketball, for him the fun he feels while playing can only be compared to someone who just won a million dollars in the Turbo Takedown poker tournament. “It was something that I loved doing,” said Duncan. “And if you are going to be good at something, it going to be something you love to do.”

It wasn’t until his sophomore season at Moeller High School, that he became “Josh Duncan”. After sprouting three inches between his first and second high school seasons, Duncan moved up to a varsity phenom for the Crusaders. At Moeller he developed his game to become one of the most sought after recruits in Ohio. He finally decided on Xavier, a Catholic institution just like Moeller. However, he contends that the religious affiliation had no factor on his decision. “I wanted to stay close to home,” said Duncan. “I didn’t think it would be 10 minutes away. I just like the atmosphere.”

From the moment he stepped on Xavier’s Evanston campus, he has been in the spotlight from fans that have followed his career since his prep career. The spotlight has never really bothered Duncan, and his playing time and scoring has increased over his career. But, last season was one of the most frustrating years in his playing career.

He struggled in the early part of the season with a back injury. Soon as he got back into playing form, and was becoming an integral part of his Musketeer team, when he injured his ankle in a freak accident. While going up for a rebound in practice, he came down and rolled his ankle. Usually rolled ankles can be attributed to coming down on another player’s foot, but there was no one around to be held accountable for this accidental injury.

The most frustrating part of the injury was not being able to fully contribute during Xavier’s loss to top-seeded Ohio State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. A loss that Duncan hopes will propel the Musketeers to higher heights in his final collegiate season.

“It was a time when my ankle was hurt,” he said. “I know I could have played better. I am not trying to make excuses. I am not saying we would have blown them out. But, I know I could have helped my team. The whole experience of playing a No. 1 team was good for the team. It gives us more experience and hopefully go further next season.”

Though having to manage his injuries were frustrating, Duncan knows something good could come out of it. “It taught me anything can happen,” said Duncan. “Not to take anything for granted. It made me a better person.” He also said that it helped him gain a greater appreciation for the role players on the Xavier roster.

Pressing toward professional hoops is one of Duncan’s big individual goals starting this summer as he enters his senior season. Though he has professed to not being 100 percent, he is rapidly approaching full health as noticed by his play in the early parts of the Summer League. “(The NBA) is definitely one of my goals,” said Duncan. “I am going to work hard and whatever happens, happens”

The summer served as a platform for the 6-9 forward to work on the things he needs to do to become a legit NBA prospect. And the itinerary for what he needs to work on is simple. “Everything,” Duncan said. “I will never have one part of my game mastered. I can work on my shooting, defense – both on the perimeter and in the post.”

For area fans, it could be déjà vu as another Duncan is coming through the Moeller pipeline. Standing just inches shorter that his older brother at the same age, the 6-5 Jeremy Duncan could be wearing the varsity blue and gold for the Crusaders in this upcoming season. “He has always been one of my true fans,” Josh Duncan said of his younger sibling