Top 5 Duke men's basketball players since 2000 ft. JJ Redick
When it comes to the production of global basketball talents, the Duke Blue Devils are one of the nation’s leading powerhouses. The Durham institution has produced nearly 100 players for the NBA while sending more than 20 athletes to the women’s league.
Here's a closer look at the top names that have suited up for the Blue Devils since 2000.
Top 5 Duke basketball players since 2000
#5. Paolo Banchero (2021-2022)
One of the last superstar-caliber players to stem out of Mike Krzyzewski’s guidance, the ACC Rookie of the Year and ACC regular season champion became the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft.
Paolo Banchero's 6-foot-10 frame, coupled with his point-guard-like movement and smooth jumpers, made him the best player on the Blue Devils roster. The one-and-done averaged 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.1 steals to lead Duke to a Final Four appearance.
#4. JJ Redick (2002-2006)
It is not a Blue Devils' players’ list without JJ Redick. Probably known more for his college stint than his NBA career, Redick is arguably one of the purest and fundamentally sharpest players out of the program.
He is still the Blue Devils’ all-time scoring leader with 2,769 points. He also holds program records in several scoring categories and was named National Player of the Year twice.
Redick averaged 19.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.2 apg and 1.1 spg in four years at Duke.
#3. Zion Williamson (2018-2019)
Unless Cooper Flagg overtakes it, Williamson was the most hyped player to enter the NBA since LeBron James in 2003. While he averaged 22.6 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 2.1 apg and 1.8 bpg in his sole season at Duke, he made headlines through his dominating blocks and thunderous dunks. He cleaned off all major national Player of the Year awards that year.
#2. Kyrie Irving (2010-2011)
Irving only played 11 games for the Blue Devils, but the short stint was enough to put the nation’s attention to his unique skillset. He was still the extraordinary ball-handler with one-of-a-kind playmaking and scoring abilities.
Kyrie Irving is currently one of the most accomplished players in the NBA stemming from Mike Krzyzewski’s coaching.
#1. Jayson Tatum (2016-2017)
Like the other great NBA players from the program, Tatum's Duke stint was short-lived. However, behind an all-around 16.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg and 2.1 apg, he led the program to the ACC Tournament championship. When beginning his run in Durham, Tatum was not the highest-rated recruit in his class or the primary option for Duke’s offense.
However, Tatum worked on his craft throughout the season, earning All-ACC honors and the No. 3 overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft.