10 Famous Basketball Players who played for Duke (Blue Devils)

Duke v OSU at Value City Arena in Columbus Ohio photo by Cbusram – Wikimedia commons

10 Famous Basketball Players who played for Duke(Blue Devils)

Since the school’s founding, basketball has played a significant role, and Duke is renowned throughout the nation for producing top-notch players. NBA is the most prestigious league in which Duke basketball players have played professionally after excelling in college. The basketball team, commonly known as the Blue Devils, has received various honours thanks to their diligence, commitment, and attitude.

Duke has won five NCAA titles, participated in 11 championship games, and 17 Final Fours. Their feats are nothing short of extraordinary, and they keep moving up the rankings.
As it continues to turn out some of the world’s top basketball players, Duke does not seem to be slowing down. Let’s look at 10 famous players who competed for Duke.

1. Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving photo by Erik Drost – Wikimedia commons

Kyrie Irving played college basketball for Duke University from 2010 to 2011. His reputation as one of the best point guard prospects in the country was widely shared. Despite being injured for most of the season, Kyrie played admirably in the games he played, winning the 2011 NCAA Eastern Regional  Player Award.Hescored53.2% from the field and scored 5.1 assists, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in each game while scoring an average of 17.4 points in the first eight games of the season. On the first day of the 2011 NBA draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers selected him.

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2. Jayson Tatum

Jason Tatum photo by Erik Drost – Wikimedia commons

Jayson Tatum competed in collegiate basketball for Duke University in the 2016–17 season. He was an exceptional contender and was given the ACC Rookie of the Year honour. Tatum’s efforts were a key contributor to Duke’s performance, scoring 16.8 points per game on average and pulling down 7.3 rebounds.

He was chosen as the third All-ACC team and the first All-American by unanimous vote. Duke made it to the Final Eight of the NCAA Tournament because of Tatum’s outstanding play and efforts. Only representing Duke for one season, he entered the NBA Draft, and the Boston Celtics selected him with the third overall pick. Tatum has now developed into one of the league’s top young players. Tatum was chosen for the All-Stars in 2021.

3. Zion Williamson

Zion Williamson photo by Keenan Hairston from Raleigh – Wikimedia commons

In the 2018-19 season, Zion Williamson played one season of college basketball at Duke University. With averages ranging from 22.6 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, Williamson was chosen as the ACC Player of the Year and the overall player of the year. He was a fan-favourite during his time at Duke.

His field goal percentage of 68%, which led the ACC and was the greatest ever for a freshman, positioned him second in the NCAA Division I. Williamson is also one of only just three freshmen to record 500 points, 50 steals, and 50 blocks in one season. This list includes Anthony Davis and Kevin Durant. He entered the NBA draft after leading Duke to the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight after only one season.

New Orleans Pelicans selected him first overall in the 2019 NBA Draft and got named Rookie of the Year in the 2019-20 season. He has since grown himself as one of the league’s top athletes.

4. Brandon Ingram

Brandon Ingram in the w:2015 McDonald’s All-American Boys Game closed practice photo by
TonyTheTiger – Wikimedia commons

Brandon was a collegiate basketball player for Duke University during the 2015–16 year. He was highly sought-after as a recruit and the ACC’s Rookie of the Year. Ingram scored 17.3 points and grabbed 6.8 rebounds per game, earning him a spot on the All-ACC second team. He had a significant role in Duke’s ability to get to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament.

Ingram declared for the 2016 draft where the Los Angeles Lakers selected him as the second overall choice. Ingram has improved and now scores beautifully. Being the most improved player, the New Orleans Pelicans awarded him for the feat.

5. Grant Hill

Grant Hill, photo by Keith Allison – Wikimedia commons

Grant Hill competed in four college basketball seasons for Duke University from 1990 through 1994. Over his four-year career, he averaged 14.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, making him an important member of the Blue Devils. In 1991, Hill won the ACC Rookie of the Year award, and in 1994, he was selected to the first team of All-Americans.

In 1991 and 1992, he assisted in guiding Duke to two NCAA championships. Hill had a great NBA career, playing for the Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, and Los Angeles Clippers after being drafted third by the Detroit Pistons in the 1994 NBA Draft. 2018 saw him get inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 2018.

6. Luol Deng

Luol Deng of the Minnesota Timberwolves photo by SusanLesch – Wikimedia commons

Deng was a player on the 2003–04 Blue Devils basketball squad while attending Duke University on a sports scholarship. During his first season at Duke, he participated in 37 games and started in 32. Averaging 30.1 minutes per game and scoring 15.1 points he led the team to earn a spot in the 2004 Final Four. By leading all freshmen in scoring, rebounds, and field goal percentage, he was just but the 10th freshman in ACC history to achieve it.

Luol Deng played for the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Lakers, and Minnesota Timberwolves in 15 years in the NBA. His game prowess as a scorer and defender earned him an NBA All-Star.

7. Jahlil Okafor

Jahlil Okafor during the 2015 NBA Summer League photo by Ed – AIMG_2162 – Wikimedia commons

Jahlil Okafor played one season of college basketball at Duke in the 2014-15 season. He won the ACC Rookie of the year award and this led to him being a highly sought-after player. Averaging 17.3 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, Okafor has mastered his position well. Through his plays, he got voted as South Regional Most Outstanding Player and also helped Duke clinch the National Championship. 

In the 2015 NBA draft, the Philadelphia 76ers drafted him third overall. He went on to play for Philadelphia, Brooklyn Nets and New Orleans Pelicans for 4 years. Jahlil currently plays in the NBA G League for the Capitanes of Ciudad de Mexico.

Also read  Delaware State Basketball: 15 Remarkable Facts. 

8. Christian Laettner

Duke MBB 1988-89 card – Christian Laettner front photo by Sports Marketing, Inc. – Wikimedia commons

From 1988 through 1992, Laettner competed for the Blue Devils. His skill made him a vital member of the squad, and together they won the championships in 1991 and 1992. In the 1992 NCAA championship, he was named the tournament’s most outstanding player.

Laettner was picked by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the third round of the 1992 draft. For 13 years he starred in the NBA, he subsequently play for the Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons, Dallas Mavericks, and Miami Heat.  For his basketball talents and game intelligence, he garnered a reputation for his court prowess. 

9. Bobby Hurley

Bobby Hurley coaching photo by SneakinDeacon – Wikimedia commons

Bobby Hurley played for the Blue Devils from 1989 to 1993. He assisted the team to win the 1991 and the 1992 NCAA championships. He effectively played the point guard position and this ensured victory for the Duke squad. Bobby is still regarded as one of the best point guards to ever play in college basketball and still holds the NCAA record for most assists in a career. He was drafted by the Sacramento Kings as the seventh overall pick in the 1993 NBA draft. He however was forced to retire early due to unavoidable injuries.

10. Grayson Allen

Grayson Allen photo by Hayden Schiff – Wikimedia commons

 Grayson  Allen competed for the Blue Devils during his time at Duke University for four years. With an average of 14.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game, he was effective in the 142 games he starred in during his time at Duke.
Concluding his career at Duke, he had 1,996 points. He left the institution at 12th place all-time among scorers to ever play on the Duke squad. The 2015 NCAA National Championship victory was largely due to the essential role Allen played whereby he contributed to 15 NCAA Tournaments.

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