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
▪︎ Consensus 2021-22 All-American second team
▪︎ #1 Pick in 2022 NBA Draft (Orlando Magic)
▪︎ 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year
▪︎ 2024 NBA All-Star
Shane Battier
▪︎ 2000-01 National College Player of the Year
▪︎ 2001 NCAA Champion
▪︎ #31 retired at Duke
▪︎ 2001 NBA Draft #6 (Vancouver Grizzlies)
▪︎ Two-time NBA champion (2012, 2013)
Carlos Boozer
▪︎ 2001 NCAA Champion
▪︎ 2001-02 Third Team All-American
▪︎ Number 35 in the 2002 NBA Draft (Cleveland Cavaliers)
▪︎ Two-time NBA All-Star (2007, 2008)
▪︎ 2007-08 Third Team All-NBA
Elton Brand
▪︎ 1998-99 National College Player of the Year
▪︎ 1999 NBA Draft #1 (Chicago Bulls)
▪︎ 1999-2000 NBA Rookie of the Year (Steve Francis)
▪︎ Two-time NBA All-Star (2002, 2006)
▪︎ 2005-06 Second Team All-NBA
Luol Deng
▪︎ 2003-04 Third Team All-ACC
▪︎ Picked No. 7 in the 2004 NBA Draft (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
▪︎ #35 retired at Duke
▪︎ 1989 NBA draft pick #2 (Los Angeles Clippers)
▪︎ 2003 NBA Champion
Grant Hill
▪︎ Two-time NCAA Champion (1991, 1992)
▪︎ #33 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
▪︎ 2011 NBA Draft #1 pick (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
▪︎ Picked No. 3 in the 1992 NBA Draft (Minnesota Timberwolves)
▪︎ 1992-93 NBA All-Rookie First Team
▪︎ 1997 NBA All-Star
JJ Reddick
▪︎ Two-time consensus first-team All-American
▪︎ 2005-06 National College Player of the Year
▪︎ #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 All-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
▪︎ 2019 NBA Draft #1 pick (New Orleans Pelicans)
▪︎ 2019-20 NBA All-Rookie First Team
▪︎ Two-time NBA All-Star (2021, 2023)
Check out the ESPN Men’s Basketball Center page and the ESPN NBA Center page for more men’s basketball coverage.