Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
11 of 50
Next
Best Duke Basketball Players
DURHAM, NC – MARCH 08: Jabari Parker #1 of the Duke Blue Devils looks on against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Cameron Indoor Stadium on March 8, 2014 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke defeated North Carolina 93-81. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

40. Jabari Parker (2013-2014)

Jabari Parker was incredible in his lone season at Duke, as he averaged 19.1 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. Those numbers were good enough for Parker to be named the ACC Rookie of the Year. He was named to the All-ACC First Team and the ACC All-Freshman first team as well, plus the 2014 All-ACC Tournament Team.

Parker was a force to be reckoned with during his one year at Duke, but his legacy in Durham is tarnished because of the NCAA Tournament. The Parker-led Blue Devils were upset by the 15th seeded Mercer Bears in the first round of the tournament after Duke had just finished as the runner-up in the ACC Tournament. Had Parker made a deeper run in the tournament, his name would likely be much higher on this list.

Parker was the second overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft but has failed to make a name for himself in the NBA as he simply cannot stay healthy. Parker’s ceiling is extremely high, and if he were able to stay on the court he could’ve very possibly been one of the best players in the NBA right now.