Duke basketball: 5 Blue Devil greats who didn’t live up to the NBA hype

3. Duke basketball NBA busts: Jay Williams

A member of one of the greatest teams in Duke history, Jay Williams made his mark at the collegiate level. A star high school player in the state of New Jersey, Williams was one of Mike Krzyzewski’s top recruits at Duke in 1999.

Williams made the All-ACC freshman team in his first season when he also won the ACC Tournament MVP award. The next two years were even bigger for Williams, who was a first-team All-American and helped the Blue Devils win the national championship as a sophomore.

After his junior year, Williams was named the National Player of the Year, giving him an opportune time to go pro. Williams was taken with the second overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls, one of the franchise’s most significant selections in the post-dynasty era.

The Bulls teamed Williams with Jamal Crawford to form a backcourt they hoped would lead the team to sustained success. Williams started for most of his rookie year, showing signs of promise as the season progressed.

That would be the only basketball Williams ever played in the NBA as a severe motorcycle accident led to severe injuries to his left leg. Williams was cut by the Bulls and attempted a comeback with the New Jersey nets several years later, but it was an unsuccessful one, leaving Duke fans to wonder what could have been for him as a pro.