By james art Duke men’s basketball changed forever on March 18, 1980. That was the day the school hired Mike Krzyzewski away from the Army.
Krzyzewski turned the Blue Devils into a perennial power, leading the program to five national championships and winning 1,129 games over 42 seasons, the most wins in NCAA history at a single school.
“Coach K” also had 68 NBA draft picks, including 42 first-round selections. Of those 42 first-rounders, 28 were lottery picks, the most in NBA draft history. Four of those players – Paolo Banchero, Zion Williamson, Kyrie Irving and Elton Brand – were selected #1.
Krzyzewski coached Duke until 2022, when one of his former players and longtime assistants, Jon Scheyer, took over as head coach.
Here’s a look at the most notable players who have left an indelible mark on men’s basketball at both Duke and the NBA:
Paolo Banchero
2021-22 ACC Rookie of the Year
2021-22 consensus second-team All-American
#1 Pick in 2022 NBA Draft (Orlando Magic)
2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year
2024 NBA All-Stars
Shane Battier
2000-01 National College Player of the Year
2001 NCAA Champion
#31 retired at Duke
2001 NBA Draft #6 pick (Vancouver Grizzlies)
Two-time NBA champion (2012, 2013)
Carlos Boozer
2001 NCAA Champion
2001-02 third team All-American
Pick #35 in the 2002 NBA Draft (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Two-time NBA All-Star (2007, 2008)
2007-08 All-NBA Third Team
Elton Brand
1998-99 National College Player of the Year
1999 NBA Draft #1 pick (Chicago Bulls)
1999-2000 NBA Rookie of the Year (Steve Francis)
Two-time NBA All-Star (2002, 2006)
2005-06 All-NBA Second Team
Luol Deng
2003-04 Third Team All-ACC
2004 NBA Draft #7 pick (Phoenix Suns)
2004-05 All-Rookie First Team
2011-12 NBA All-Defensive Second Team
Two-time NBA All-Star (2012, 2013)
Danny Ferry
Two-time ACC Player of the Year
1988-89 consensus first team All-American
No. 35 retired at Duke
#2 pick in the 1989 NBA draft (Los Angeles Clippers)
2003 NBA Champion
Grant Hill
Two-time NCAA Champion (1991, 1992)
No. 33 is retired at Duke
#3 pick in 1994 NBA draft (Detroit Pistons)
Five-time All-NBA selection
Member of the Basketball Hall of Fame
Brandon Ingram
2015-16 ACC Rookie of the Year
#2 pick in 2016 NBA draft (Los Angeles Lakers)
2016-17 NBA All-Rookie Second Team
2020 NBA All-Star
2019-20 NBA Most Improved Player
Kyrie Irving
#1 Pick in 2011 NBA Draft (Cavaliers)
2011-12 NBA Rookie of the Year
Eight-time NBA All-Star
2014 NBA All-Star Game MVP
2016 NBA Champion
Christian Laettner
Two-time NCAA Champion (1991, 1992)
1991-92 National College Player of the Year
#3 pick in 1992 NBA draft (Minnesota Timberwolves)
1992-93 All-NBA First Team
1997 NBA All-Star
JJ Reddick
A two-time consensus first-team All-American
2005-06 National College Player of the Year
Number 4 retired at Duke
2006 NBA Draft #11 pick (Magic)
Played 15 NBA seasons (2006-21)
Jayson Tatum
2016-17 Third Team All-ACC
#3 pick in 2017 NBA draft (Boston Celtics)
Four-time NBA selection
2023 NBA All-Star Game MVP
2024 NBA Champion
Zion Williamson
2018-19 ACC Player of the Year
2018-19 National College Player of the Year
#1 Pick in 2019 NBA Draft (New Orleans Pelicans)
2019-20 NBA All-Rookie First Team
Two-time NBA All-Star Game (2021, 2023)
Check out the ESPN Men’s Basketball Center page and the ESPN NBA Center page for more men’s basketball coverage.
Copyright © 2024 ESPN Internet Ventures. All rights reserved.