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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 05: Nolan Smith #2 of the Duke Blue Devils talks with a teammate while playing the North Carolina Tar Heels on March 05, 2011 at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 67-81. (Photo by Peyton Williams/UNC/Getty Images) /

12. Nolan Smith (2007-2011)

Nolan Smith is a fan favorite for Duke fans, and for very good reason, as he had one of the best careers in Duke basketball history. Smith was named to an All-ACC Team twice, the All-ACC Tournament team twice, the NCAA Tournament team, the ACC All-Defense team, was the ACC Tournament MVP, was the 2010-11 ACC Player of the Year, and helped Duke win the 2010 National Championship, as well as an ACC Regular Season title and three ACC Tournament titles.

His best seasons came in 2009-10, and 2010-11, where he held a collective average of 19.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while helping the Blue Devils win a National Championship, an ACC Regular Season title, and two ACC Tournament titles.

After being drafted 21st overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2011 NBA Draft, Smith played only two seasons in the NBA, played a couple of seasons in Europe, and later found his way to Duke where he currently serves as an assistant coach.