For years, Duke had a reputation as a college basketball powerhouse that didn’t produce quality NBA players. That narrative has changed since the rise of the one-and-done era, and the Blue Devils had three former players participating in the NBA All-Star Game earlier this year.
Kyrie Irving only played 11 games in his single season for Duke due to a foot injury, but is arguably the best current Blue Devil in the NBA, with seven All-Star appearances and a championship on his résumé.
In a conversation with USA TODAY Sports’ Mackenzie Salmon, Duke legend and current ESPN analyst Jay Williams listed Irving in his all-time NBA lineup of Duke stars.
Here’s Jay Williams’ starting five:
[mm-video type=video id=01f1qb587kc8ygk3pe playlist_id=01f09kz5ecxq9bp57b player_id=01eqbvq570kgj8vfs7 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01f1qb587kc8ygk3pe/01f1qb587kc8ygk3pe-26f09c0e9f4cd87c46d651568b43b854.jpg]
Point guard: Kyrie Irving
“My point guard I’m taking Kyrie Irving. He played 11 games, I don’t care, I’m taking him. He qualifies.”
Shooting guard: JJ Redick
“I’m not choosing myself, I’m not going to be that guy. I’ll go with JJ Redick because he always asks me every time I see him if I stayed a fourth year will he still be the all-time leading scorer at Duke. I’m like ‘not really, because you wouldn’t have started.’ I’ll take JJ Redick.”
Small forward: Grant Hill
“Grant Hill. God, I’m leaving out Jayson Tatum, wow, that’s painful.”
Power forward: Shane Battier
“The four spot it’s either Shane Battier or Christian Laettner. I played with Shane so I’ll be a little bit more biased. I’ll go with Shane Battier.”
Center: Christian Laettner
“You know what? I’ll go with Shane Battier and Christian Laettner….. And I’ll come off the bench.”
[vertical-gallery id=19015]