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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
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – MARCH 24: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates with his teammates after defeating the UCF Knights in the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 24, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

9. Zion Williamson (2018-2019)

Despite only playing one season with “Duke” across the front of his jersey, Zion Williamson has one of the best resumes of any player to ever come through. He helped the Blue Devils win an ACC Tournament title after coming back from an injury, and he then helped Duke get to the Elite Eight where they would, unfortunately, lose in excruciating fashion against Michigan State.

However, during his one season with the Blue Devils, Williamson had an incredible season averaging 22.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.1 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game. Because of the monstrous numbers he put up, Williamson went on to win every award a player can win in a season — he was the 2018-19 AP Player of the Year, won the Naismith and Wooden Awards, was the ACC Player of the Year, and the ACC Rookie of the Year was the ACC Tournament MVP and was also named to the ACC All-Defense team as well.

Following his lone season with the Blue Devils, Williamson then declared for the NBA Draft where he was selected first overall by the New Orleans Pelicans, but he has struggled with injuries since getting to the NBA. When he is on the court, he has made a big impact for the Pelicans as he was named to the 2019-20 All-Rookie team, was named an All-Star in 2020-21, and has averaged 25.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game in the 85 career games he has played in.