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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
DURHAM, NC – FEBRUARY 14: Wendell Carter Jr #34 of the Duke Blue Devils against the Virginia Tech Hokies during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 14, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 74-52. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

43. Wendell Carter Jr. (2017-2018)

Wendell Carter Jr. was only in Durham for one year, but in that one year, he certainly made his presence felt. Carter played and started in 37 games for Duke, where he averaged 13.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game while helping the Blue Devils make the Elite Eight before losing to Kansas in overtime.

In the Elite Eight game against Kansas, Carter was famously called for a blocking foul which most believe should have been a charge. With the call, Carter fouled out, and had that not been the case, Duke very possibly could have made the Final Four.

Nonetheless, Carter had a very impressive season at Duke, where he was named to the All-ACC Second Team and was later selected seventh overall in the NBA Draft. In his five seasons in the NBA, he is averaging 11.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game, and he is currently having the best season of his career averaging 13.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game.