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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
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – APRIL 04: Jahlil Okafor #15 of the Duke Blue Devils looks on against the Michigan State Spartans during the NCAA Men’s Final Four Semifinal at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 4, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Duke won 81-61. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

16. Jahlil Okafor (2014-2015)

Jahlil Okafor was only in Durham for a single season before he left Duke for the NBA, but in that one year with the Blue Devils, he made his presence felt. Okafor had an incredible 2014-15 season as he averaged 17.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 0.8 steals per game.

Those numbers were good enough for Okafor to be named the ACC Player of the Year, the ACC Rookie of the Year, a consensus All-American, and he helped lead the Blue Devils through the NCAA Tournament to Duke’s fifth National Championship. Okafor shone in the NCAA Tournament for Duke as he averaged 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 1.7 blocks, and 0.8 steals per game.

Okafor’s phenomenal season at Duke led to him being drafted third overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2015 Draft, and after being named to the NBA All-Rookie team in 2015-16. Okafor struggled in the NBA and has bounced around from team-to-team since then.