Along with being one of the best secondary schools in the country in academics, Duke University has a strong reputation for having great basketball teams.
Here is my list of the top 10 best basketball players from Duke University:
Top 10 Best Basketball Players from Duke University #10: Bobby Hurley
In my opinion, Bobby Hurley was one of the best college players of all time. He was a two-time NCAA champion, the 1992 NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player, and a consensus All-American. Unfortunately, Hurley did not have success in the NBA. He only played from 1993 to 1998, and averaged 3.8 points per game. If he had a better professional basketball career, he would have been ranked higher.
Top 10 Best Basketball Players from Duke University #9: Carlos Boozer
Carlos Boozer, who played for Duke University from 1999-2002, also helped Duke win a NCAA title. As for his professional basketball player, at some points during his career Boozer has been one of the better power forwards in the league. He is a two-time NBA All-Star, and was also on the All-NBA Third Team in 2008. Boozer currently plays for the Chicago Bulls.
Top 10 Best Basketball Players from Duke University #8: J.J. Reddick
One of the most exciting college basketball players of all time is J.J. Reddick. Reddick had great success when he played for Duke from 2002 to 2006. He was the AP National Player of the Year in 2006. The shooting guard also was a two-time first team All-American, in 2005 and in 2006. He has a strong reputation for being a talented 3-point shooter.
Top 10 Best Basketball Players from Duke University #7: Shane Battier
Shane Battier, who helped the Miami Heat win consecutive NBA titles, played for Duke University from 1997 to 2001. He also helped the school win a NCAA title. Moreover, Battier was the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player in 2001. It should also be noted that the forward was the AP College Player of the Year in the same year.
Top 10 Best Basketball Players from Duke University #6: Danny Ferry
Like Hurley, Danny Ferry had a below-average NBA career. Ferry was the Naismith College Player of the Year in 1989. He also was a consensus first team All-American, in 1989. The forward did play professional basketball from 1990 to 2003, and did average seven points per game during his career, but he simply did not live up to expectations. If Ferry had averaged 15 points per game or more in his career, I would have listed him as one of the top three basketball players from Duke University.
Top 10 Best Basketball Players from Duke University #5: Luol Deng
Although Loul Deng is only 28-years-old, he is already considered one of the best small forwards in the league. Deng, who played for Duke University from 2003-2004, is a two-time NBA All-Star and has a reputation for playing great defense. He is currently a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Top 10 Best Basketball Players from Duke University #4: Elton Brand
Elton Brand, who played for Duke University from 1997-1999, is another basketball player from Duke University who has had some success as a professional basketball player. Brand is a two-time All-Star and currently plays for the Atlanta Hawks. An interesting fact about Elton Brand is that he was the 1999 AP Player of the Year.
Top 10 Best Basketball Players from Duke University #3: Christian Laettner
The third best basketball player from Duke University, in my opinion, is Christian Laettner. Laettner was the Naismith College Player of the Year in 1992, and a two-time NCAA champion. As for his professional career, Laettner played for six basketball teams, including the Atlanta Hawks. He was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010.
Top 10 Best Basketball Players from Duke University #2: Grant Hill
Without a doubt, one of the best basketball players from Duke University is Grant Hill. Hill, who helped the school win two NCAA titles, played college basketball from 1990 to 1994. He could easily have been the best basketball player from the university, as he played in seven All-Star Games. However, due to injuries, Hill never fully blossomed as a professional basketball player.
Top 10 Best Basketball Players from Duke University #1: Kyrie Irving
The last basketball player on my list is Kyrie Irving. Some might say that Irving should not be ranked as the best, especially considering how great of a college career and professional basketball career Hill had. In my opinion, however, Irving is better because he is only 21-years-old, but has already played in two All-Star Games. Furthermore, Irving had a stellar performance at the 2014 All-Star Game, as he was named the MVP of the game. It is possible that, if Irving remains productive and healthy, he could be elected to the Hall of Fame for his professional basketball career. Lastly, it would certainly help Irving’s career if LeBron James teams up with him for at least one season.
Sources:
“Duke Blue Devils,” Yahoo! Sports.
“NBA & ABA Players Who Attended Duke University,” Basketball-Reference.com.
