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Duke basketball: 50 best players to play for Coach K

By Matthew Travis

Nov 12, 2021; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski prior to a game against the Army Black Knights at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2021; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski prior to a game against the Army Black Knights at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Best Duke Basketball Players
DURHAM, NC – FEBRUARY 16: Austin Rivers #0 of the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 16, 2012 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

41. Austin Rivers (2011-2012)

Austin Rivers’ Duke career is remembered mostly for one play, one of the best plays in Duke history, when he hit a 3 at the buzzer to down the North Carolina Tar Heels at the Dean Dome, in probably the best ending to a Duke-UNC game, ever.

Although Rivers was only at Duke for one year, he certainly made his presence felt. Rivers averaged 15.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game for the Blue Devils in 2011-12, while being named the ACC Rookie of the Year, and included on the ACC All-Freshman First Team, and the All-ACC First Team as well.

The Blue Devils were eliminated in the semi-finals of the ACC Tournament and were shockingly upset by Lehigh in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Rivers has put together a decent NBA career since leaving Duke as he has averaged 8.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 10 seasons.