Duke basketball: All-time starting lineup – From Laettner to Reddick to Zion

C – Christian Laettner

The positioning choice in this lineup might be questionable but Laettner’s spot is unquestionable. For many years, Laettner was synonymous with the Duke Blue Devils. A pretty boy high school All-American from an East Coast prep school Laettner was like a real-life version of the team’s mascot during his time in Durham. The vitriol he earned had less to do with his personality and more with the heartache he caused opponents, ESPN even made a documentary titled I Hate Christian Laettner.

It is hard to think about the sport of college basketball and not have Laettner’s name brought up. He had the infamous shot to beat Kentucky in the 1992 East Regional Final. He holds the NCAA Tournament record for points scored (407), free throws made (142), free throws attempted (167), games won (21) and games played (23). He was also the only collegiate player selected to the Dream Team during the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.

Laettner consistently showed up for the Blue Devils when the team needed him most. Aside from the shot against the Wildcats, he made the game-winning shot against Connecticut Huskies in 1990 and the game-winning free throws to upset a heavily-favored UNLV team in the 1991 Final Four.

A member of the United States Olympic Hall of Fame (2009), College Basketball Hall of Fame (2010), Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2010) and FIBA Hall of Fame (2017) he is one of the most decorated athletes to ever be associated with Duke University. His list of college achievements runs as long as a CVS receipt — including a clean sweep of player of the year awards (ACC, Associated Press, Naismith Award, Rupp Trophy and Wooden Award). His number 32 jersey was retired by the school in 1992.