Top 5 NCAA Athletes Who Found Success Under Coach K

Hall of Fame Coach Mike Krzyzewski has developed numerous NBA stars. His career spans a course of over 4 decades, simultaneously improving the Duke Blue Devils. Duke’s Men’s basketball program has evolved into one of the most prestigious in collegiate basketball history under his direction.

Krzyzewski’s four-decade-long career of basketball genius from the sidelines as the Duke’s Head coach came to an end in 2022.

Coach K’s impact on college basketball and NCAA championships

Coach Mike Krzyzewski amassed a 1202-368 record while coaching Army (5 seasons) and Duke (42 seasons). He sets the record for most victories in a collegiate basketball coaching career.

Apart from coaching five NCAA championship teams (1991, 1992, 2001, 2010, 2015), he won six gold medals as the head coach of the United States men’s national team. No matter how illustrious Krzyzewski’s career, the exceptional talents he produced in his tenure will always judge him.

5. Carlos Boozer

Carlos Boozer attended college as a highly sought-after recruit. This eventually plays a deciding factor for coach Mike Krzyzewski at Duke University. His time with the Blue Devils peaked when he was crucial to their triumph over Arizona in the 2001 National Championship, cementing his place in college basketball history.

Upon entering NBA, he saw a fairly successful career with 2x All-Star selections for his exceptional on-court performances.

4. Grant Hill

Grant Hill’s basketball career began at Duke University, where he attained considerable fame. He was named Second Team All-America in 1993 and won the NABC Defensive Player of the Year award. He continued to excel on the court, earning unanimous first-team All-America recognition in 1994.

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Hill had a successful college career, highlighted by two national titles and three Final Four appearances during his four years with the Blue Devils. Detroit Pistons took him with the fourth overall pick in the 1994 NBA Draft. Surprisingly, later that year, he made history by being the first rookie in any of the four major sports to win the fan vote for the All-Star Game.

3. Mike Dunleavy Jr.

Mike Dunleavy Jr. made a significant impact during his time at Duke University from 1999 to 2002. His sophomore year saw him contribute to Duke’s national championship victory. He showcased his scoring prowess with a team-high 21 points in the title game. Notably, his three-point shooting played a crucial role in an 11–2 second-half Duke run.

In his junior year, Dunleavy continued to excel, earning the distinction of being a first-team NABC All-American. He maintained impressive averages of 17.3 points per game and 7.2 rebounds per game, helping the Blue Devils achieve a remarkable 31–4 record.

2. Zion Williamson

The 18-year-old Zion Williamson had an extraordinary impact on college basketball. He performed admirably during his whole rookie season, exceeding expectations and energizing the sport with his jaw-dropping in-game reel tapes.

Coach Krzyzewski, despite having coached numerous talented freshmen over the years, recognized Zion’s talents were different. It had been a considerable stretch of time, possibly even decades, since anyone had captivated the world of college basketball quite like Williamson. Not even the parade of five-star recruits that graced Duke’s roster could replicate the magic he brought to the game.

Zion’s extraordinary performance solidified his status as the most highly touted prospect since LeBron James in 2003. His exceptional dunk and elevation abilities led to his selection as the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Pelicans.

1. Kyrie Irving

Amidst the recent controversies surrounding Mavericks star Kyrie Irving, it’s imperative not to overshadow his standing as one of the NBA’s premier talents. The former No. 1 overall draft pick showcased his exceptional skills even before entering the NBA. He set the stage for a remarkable rookie season, culminating in his well-deserved NBA Rookie of the Year accolade. Prior to his controversial exit from Cavaliers, Irving’s exceptional ball-handling skills and clutch performance were on full display in their 2016 NBA Championship run.

However, Irving’s collegiate stint with the Duke Blue Devils, albeit brief at just 11 games, displayed his scoring prowess. He boasted a 52.9% field goal shooting and an impressive 46.2% from beyond the arc. His free-throw accuracy stood at a remarkable 90.1%, all while contributing 3.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.

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