The Duke Blue Devils basketball program is one of the most successful college basketball programs in the nation. Since its inception in 1938, the team has produced numerous NBA stars, including the likes of Kyrie Irving, Grant Hill, and Christian Laettner. The success of the program is often attributed to the legendary Coach Mike Krzyzewski, who has been the head coach since 1980. In this article, we will take a look at how many Duke players have gone on to play in the NBA, as well as the impact they have had on the league.
Notable Players
Kyrie Irving is perhaps the most well-known Duke player in the NBA. Drafted first overall in the 2011 NBA Draft, Irving has gone on to become one of the best players in the league. He has won an NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016, and is a six-time All-Star.
Grant Hill is another Duke player who has had a long and successful NBA career. He was drafted third overall in the 1994 NBA Draft, and went on to become one of the best players in the league. Hill was a seven-time All-Star and won an NBA championship with the Detroit Pistons in 2004.
Christian Laettner is another Duke legend who enjoyed a long and successful career in the NBA. He was drafted third overall in the 1992 NBA Draft and went on to become one of the best players in the league. He was a two-time All-Star and won an NBA championship with the Detroit Pistons in 2004.
Other Duke Players in the NBA
Apart from the three players mentioned above, there have been several other Duke players who have gone on to have successful careers in the NBA. Here is a list of some of the more notable players:
- J.J. Redick – Drafted 11th overall in the 2006 NBA Draft. He is a three-time All-Star and currently plays for the Philadelphia 76ers.
- Carlos Boozer – Drafted 35th overall in the 2002 NBA Draft. He is a two-time All-Star and played for the Chicago Bulls, Utah Jazz, and Los Angeles Lakers.
- Mike Dunleavy Jr. – Drafted 3rd overall in the 2002 NBA Draft. He is a two-time All-Star and played for the Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers, and Milwaukee Bucks.
- Corey Maggette – Drafted 13th overall in the 1999 NBA Draft. He is a two-time All-Star and played for the Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Golden State Warriors.
- Shane Battier – Drafted 6th overall in the 2001 NBA Draft. He is a two-time All-Star and played for the Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, and Miami Heat.
- Luol Deng – Drafted 7th overall in the 2004 NBA Draft. He is a two-time All-Star and played for the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Miami Heat.
- Elton Brand – Drafted 1st overall in the 1999 NBA Draft. He is a two-time All-Star and played for the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Dallas Mavericks.
- Jabari Parker – Drafted 2nd overall in the 2014 NBA Draft. He is a two-time All-Star and currently plays for the Atlanta Hawks.
- Nolan Smith – Drafted 21st overall in the 2011 NBA Draft. He is a one-time All-Star and played for the Portland Trail Blazers.
- Josh McRoberts – Drafted 37th overall in the 2007 NBA Draft. He is a one-time All-Star and played for the Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte Bobcats, and Miami Heat.
Impact of Duke Players in the NBA
Duke players have had a major impact on the NBA since their first players were drafted in the 1970s. Duke players have won a total of five NBA championships and have been named All-Stars a total of 39 times. Duke players have also won the NBA Rookie of the Year award a total of five times and the NBA All-Star Game MVP award a total of four times.
Duke Players in the NBA Hall of Fame
The success of Duke players in the NBA has been recognized by the league, with several former Blue Devils being inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame. The most notable of these players are Grant Hill, Kyrie Irving, Christian Laettner, and J.J. Redick.
Conclusion
Duke has been one of the most successful college basketball programs in the nation, and it has produced numerous NBA stars. In total, over fifty Duke players have gone on to play in the NBA, and they have had a major impact on the league. These players have won five NBA championships, been named All-Stars a total of 39 times, and have been inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame.
FAQs
Q: How many Duke players have gone on to play in the NBA?
A: Over fifty Duke players have gone on to play in the NBA.
Q: What is the most successful Duke player in the NBA?
A: Kyrie Irving is the most successful Duke player in the NBA. He has won an NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016, and is a six-time All-Star.
Q: How many NBA championships have Duke players won?
A: Duke players have won a total of five NBA championships.
Q: How many Duke players are in the NBA Hall of Fame?
A: Four Duke players are in the NBA Hall of Fame: Grant Hill, Kyrie Irving, Christian Laettner, and J.J. Redick.