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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
2 Apr 2001: Jason Williams of Duke cuts down his portion of the net after defeating Arizona 82-72 in the NCAA National Championship Game of the Men’s Final Four tournament at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr/ALLSPORT /

4. Jay Williams (1999-2002)

Jay Williams got to campus just months after Duke was upset in the National Championship game by UConn, meaning Duke, and their fans, were hungry for success, and they wanted it immediately. Williams helped to give them that success they were so hungry for.

Williams started all 34 games for Duke his freshman year averaging 14.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 2.4 steals per game. He helped Duke win the ACC Regular Season, and Tournament titles, before the Blue Devils were ultimately knocked out in the Sweet Sixteen. However, Williams’ sophomore and junior seasons were when he really made an impact as he averaged 21.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 2.1 steals per game.

Over his final two seasons in Durham, Williams helped Duke win an ACC Regular Season title, two ACC Tournament titles, and a National Championship as well. He received All-ACC honors in each of his three seasons with Duke, as well as All-ACC Tournament honors all three years, was an ACC Tournament MVP, was a two-time consensus All-American, was named to the 2000-01 NCAA All-Tournament team, and was the 2001-02 AP Player of the Year, and won the Naismith and Wooden Awards, as well as the Rupp Trophy.

Williams was the second overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls and was named to the 2002-03 All-Rookie team, but severe injuries in his leg forced the guard to retire after only one season in the NBA. He now works with ESPN.