Duke’s Austin Rivers Going Pro?

(Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Duke freshman guard Austin Rivers will declare for the NBA draft, sources said Friday.

He will make the formal announcement next week after spending the weekend at home in Orlando.

CBSSports.com reported earlier Friday that Rivers was planning to enter the draft.

The Blue Devils' coaching staff knew in the latter part of the season that Rivers was going to leave, multiple sources with direct knowledge at Duke told ESPN.com.

Rivers will become the fourth player under Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski to play one season for the Blue Devils before leaving for the NBA. The other three were Corey Maggette, Luol Deng and last season's No. 1 draft pick, Kyrie Irving.

Rivers, son of Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers, is expected to be a first-round draft pick.

That said, in no way is he likely to be an impact player in the NBA for a number of years to come. His departure seems premature.  John Wall he isn’t.