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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
CHAPEL HILL, NC – MARCH 04: Luke Kennard #5 of the Duke Blue Devils plays against the North Carolina Tar Heels on March 04, 2017 at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 90-83. (Photo by Peyton Williams/UNC/Getty Images) /

36. Luke Kennard (2015-2017)

Luke Kennard came to Duke immediately following the Blue Devils’ 2015 National Championship, he wasn’t expected to play a major role his freshman season, and he didn’t as he started in only 11 of the 36 games he played in, but he was still a factor as he averaged 11.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game in his freshman year.

However, Kennard’s sophomore year was when he emerged as a legitimate threat from just about anywhere on the court, especially beyond the arc. He averaged 19.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game and helped lead the Blue Devils to an ACC Tournament Title before they were eliminated in the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament.

Kennard collected a plethora of accolades in his sophomore season — he was named to the All-ACC First Team, and he was also the ACC Tournament MVP. Kennard left Durham for the NBA Draft in 2017 where he was taken with the 12th overall pick by the Detroit Pistons, and he has since put together a respectable career averaging 9.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists over the course of five seasons.