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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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18 Dec 2001: Carlos Boozer #4 of the Duke Blue Devils runs down the court during the college basketball game against the Kentucky Wildcats, part of the Jimmy V Classic at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Duke defeated Kentucky 95-92.Mandatory Credit: Jamie Squire /Getty Images
18 Dec 2001: Carlos Boozer #4 of the Duke Blue Devils runs down the court during the college basketball game against the Kentucky Wildcats, part of the Jimmy V Classic at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Duke defeated Kentucky 95-92.Mandatory Credit: Jamie Squire /Getty Images /

18. Carlos Boozer (1999-2002)

Carlos Boozer got to Duke at the same time as Mike Dunleavy, just after the Blue Devils’ loss in the 1999 National Championship game. Unlike Dunleavy, Boozer had an immediate impact in Durham as he started in 30 of Duke’s 34 games and held an average of 13.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game. He helped Duke win the ACC Regular Season and Tournament titles, and was named to the ACC All-Freshman team as well.

In his sophomore season, Boozer took a step up averaging 13.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game helping Duke win the ACC Regular Season and Tournament titles as well, and also the National Championship. He was named to the All-ACC Tournament team along the way.

However, Boozer’s best season was his junior year in 2001-02 when he averaged 18.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game while helping Duke win the ACC Tournament, being named to the All-ACC First Team. He was also the ACC Tournament MVP.

Boozer then had a very successful NBA career. After being selected 35th overall in the 2002 NBA Draft, he was named to the 2002-03 All-Rookie team and then played another 12 seasons in the NBA. He was named an All-Star twice and was also named to the 2007-08 All-NBA third team.