$4M Rich NBA Legend Wishes to Buy 199% Costlier Duke Basketball

With Jon Scheyer taking over the reins of the Duke Blue Devils coaching, the team is currently in its rebuilding phase. The Blue Devils finished the 2023-24 season with an average record of 27-9. Though they advanced to the Elite Eight, Scheyer & Co. suffered a jolting loss against the NC State by a 76-64 margin. Thus, if an NBA legend is to be believed, then more investment will only help them better their facilities for players and coaching staff.

Jay Williams was present in an interview with Front Office Sports when he spoke at length about investing his money in the Blue Devils. And fans couldn’t be happier listening to his insightful take.

“I think there’s some interesting things that will be that will be occurring and… let’s be honest I have a Duke shirt on underneath this. One day, I would like to own 49% of Duke Basketball,” the Chicago Bulls legend admitted. Williams has been a Blue Devil himself, winning the 2001 championship and National College Player of the Year honors the very next year. So given an opportunity, William wishes to give back.

“1 million percent,” he says.

The Duke Blue Devils was started by James B. Duke’s $40 million donation in 1924. Over the years, the Blue Devils have substantially increased their programs and offerings and are considered a top-tier university, so much so that the funds had a market value of $11.6 billion by the end of the fiscal year June 2023.

Williams last played for the NBA in 2004 for the Chicago Bulls and since his retirement, he has taken up work as an NBA and ESPN analyst. He has served as a producer on major sports shows including but not limited to SportsCenter, Get Up, Keyshawn, JWill and Zubin, and First Take. All this has resulted in him having a solid net worth of $4 million, which is 199% less when compared to Duke University’s market value.

However, even if Williams wished to buy the stake in Blue Devils, it wouldn’t be possible just yet, considering the program is a part of the university and is basically not for sale. But he does have some visions for the program.

Jay Williams shares his take on what’s next for the Dukes

The Duke Blue Devils have been in the eye after they recruited Cooper Flagg. The 2024 class No.1 recruit had a luring offer from the University of Connecticut Huskies, especially after he was seen hanging out with their former center Donovan Clingan. Nonetheless, Scheyer was successful in recruiting Flagg in October last year and Williams threw much light on what it means for the Blue Devils.

As per Williams, “the way we are going to sell Cooper Flagg” will leave the fans with only one choice which is to adore him. Flagg is known for his exceptional talent and is the number pick for the 2025 NBA draft. Williams relates his case to that of Zion Williamson and how he was sold during his days at Duke. Even Williamson was a number one pick by the New Orleans Pelicans in 2019 and during his stay at the Duke, he had garnered a lot of attention. Maybe Williams has similar plans for Flagg.

The 17-year-old debuts for the Blue Devils this year in November.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.