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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
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 31: RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates a basket against the Michigan State Spartans during the second half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

22. RJ Barrett (2018-2019)

RJ Barrett got to Duke ahead of the 2018-19 season alongside one of the best recruiting classes in NCAA History with Zion Williamson, Cam Reddish, and Tre Jones. Barrett played only one season in Durham but made an immediate impact for the Blue Devils as he helped them win the 2019 ACC Tournament, and also helped them reach the Elite Eight where they lost in brutal fashion to the Michigan State Spartans.

Barrett averaged 22.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 0.9 steals per game which was good enough to be named a Consensus All-American, the All-ACC first team, the All-ACC Tournament team, and the All-ACC freshman team as well.

Barrett then left Duke after only one season and was drafted third overall in the 2019 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks. Over the course of his first three seasons in the NBA, he holds a career average of 16.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game.