Toby Fournier: Rising Star?

Duke’s freshman may be moving to a higher level rather quickly

Duke freshman Toby Fournier came into college with a sense of real anticipation, largely because she can dunk with ease.

That’s great but it’s not enough to be great. You need a grasp of the fundamentals and a well-rounded game to break out of being a role player.

We’re not saying she’s there yet, but in her last two games, Fournier appears to be coming into her own.

Against Virginia Tech on Sunday she had 27 points and nine rebounds and against Wofford on Wednesday, she racked up a 23/7 game against Wofford.

In her last four games, she has hit 80 percent (Columbia), 25 percent ( South Carolina), 70.6 percent (Virginia Tech) and 72.7 percent (Wofford).

In short, she’s becoming a lethal weapon and we expect that Duke will increasingly incorporate her into the offense.

Currently, Fournier is averaging 17.4 minutes, 13.3 points, 4.8 boards, 0.1 assists, 0.8 steals, 1.2 blocks and 1.3 turnovers.

She’s hitting 57.9 percent overall, 50 percent on her threes (don’t get too excited - she’s only taken two) and 65.4 percent from the line.

And in another interesting development, she seems to be clicking with the guards, perhaps particularly Reigan Richardson.

We’re just in December so probably it’s best to wait and see how she does in conference play and of course basketball is very much a team game. But Fournier already has immense physical talent. If she’s figuring out the college game at an accelerated level, that’s a great sign for Kara Lawson’s program.