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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 – JANUARY 17: Mason Plumlee #5 of the Duke Blue Devils looks on against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Cameron Indoor Stadium on January 17, 2013 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke defeated Georgia Tech 73-57. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

34. Mason Plumlee (2009-2013)

Mason Plumlee came to Duke ahead of the 2009-10 season, and he wasn’t asked to do much in his freshman season. He averaged only 3.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game in 34 games while starting once, but he was on the team as the Blue Devils won the National Championship, despite only playing three minutes in the final game.

However, Plumlee’s junior year was when he really made his presence felt  — he averaged 11.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game, and he was also named to the All-ACC Third Team. In his senior season, however, Plumlee was even more impressive as he averaged 17.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game, helping the Blue Devils to the Elite Eight. He was also named to the All-ACC First Team.

Plumlee then went to the 2013 NBA Draft where he was selected with the 22nd overall pick by the Brooklyn Nets and has put together a pretty solid career averaging 8.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game over his eight seasons in the NBA.