By: Ben McCormick
September 21, 2023
The time range for this list only ranges four years. Four unconventional years at that.
The 2019-20 season was cut short without an ACC or NCAA Tournament. The 2020-21 season was played without fans in Cameron Indoor Stadium, the players lived exclusively in a hotel, classes were on zoom, games were constantly canceled and everything was marred by COVID-19. And then, Mike Krzyzewski announced that the 2021-22 season would be his last as the head coach at Duke. Finally, last season was the first year of the Scheyer Era. A lot has happened in a short amount of time.
It may have only been four seasons, but they have been four unusual and noteworthy seasons. Duke has captured a Final Four, an ACC regular season title and tournament title during this span.
The players on these teams have gone through two seasons prematurely ended by the pandemic, social justice movements (in which many have spoke out in support of) and pressure beyond compare during the final year of Coach K's career.
Now, I give you the top fifteen players so far in this crazy decade. It is determined solely based on their overall play at Duke. NBA performance or potential is not taken into consideration. For current players, only their past play is taken into account, not this upcoming season. For players that also played in the 2010s, they qualify in whichever decade they played the most time in. If it is an equal split, then whichever decade contained their most successful season will get the nod. For instance, Tre Jones could be included on this list, but Jack White could not be. I published this list with 10 names last August, but now it has expanded to 15 as the Scheyer Era players have made their mark.
15.) Dereck Lively II
Year(s): 2023 | Accomplishments: ACC Tournament Champion, ACC All-Freshman, ACC All-Defense
Lively came into Duke as the top prospect in high school basketball, but his start in Durham was from from perfect. The 7-foot-1 shot blocker struggled mightily on offense. His post game appeared under-developed for a player of his rating, and his three point shot was considered solid, but ultimately was underused at Duke. So, most of his offensive output happened above the rim on lobs and putback dunks.
Despite his offensive struggle, Lively made a big impact on Jon Scheyer's first squad. He made a name for himself in college basketball after swatting eight shots at home in a win over North Carolina. From that point on, Lively was Duke's anchor on defense and a crucial part of their late season success.
His length as a defender and potential as a shooter and rim runner helped earn him a slot in the NBA Draft lottery as the Dallas Mavericks selected Lively No. 12 overall in June.
Career Stats: 5.2 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.1 APG, 2.4 BPG, 0.5 SPG, 65.8% FG, 15.4% 3PT, 60% FT, 34 GP, 27 GS
14.) Mark Mitchell
Year(s): 2023-Present | Accomplishments: ACC Tournament Champion
Mitchell is a slasher, a scorer and a worker. He has a high motor and the ability to fill it up on offense. But he often disappears and takes a back seat. That is something the 6-foot-9 forward will look to change in his sophomore season. His length and motor allowed Mitchell to be a high level defender last season as well.
Although, out of all the newcomers last season, perhaps no player was looked past as often as Mitchell. Despite solid play on both ends, Mitchell was snubbed from the ACC All-Freshman and All-Defense teams.
His shot isn't always pretty, but for much of the season he was one of Duke's most reliable three-point shooters on the occasion that he'd let it fly. With a more aggressive mindset as a scorer, Mitchell could move much higher on this list a year from now.
Career Stats: 9.1 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.2 APG, 0.5 BPG, 0.6 SPG, 46.9% FG, 35.2% 3PT, 76.3% FT, 35 GP, 35 GS
13.) Tyrese Proctor
Year(s): 2023-Present | Accomplishments: ACC Tournament Champion, ACC All-Freshman
After reclassifying in the spring of 2022, Proctor was the last edition to Scheyer's core for the 2022-23. And Proctor's youth showed early. But as the season progressed, the 6-foot-5 Australian floor general grew into one of Duke's most important players, and the conductor of much of its half court offense.
As a freshman, Proctor struggled a bit shooting the ball, although he vastly improved as the season progressed. His defensive intensity was refreshing, but his ability to run the offense was his greatest asset.
There is a lot of promise surrounding Proctor as he heads into year two. The sophomore is a projected lottery pick heading into this season, and there is no doubt he will move up this list by the end of next season.
Career Stats: 9.4 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 3.3 APG, 0.1 BPG, 0.8 SPG, 38.1% FG, 32% 3PT, 87.1% FT, 36 GP, 34 GS
12.) DJ Steward
Year(s): 2021 | Accomplishments: ACC All-Freshman
Steward's lone season in Durham came during perhaps the most odd of circumstances. He spent his time at Duke living in a hotel, the Washington Duke, not in a dorm. He never got the proper college experience. Classes were on zoom and a constant cancellation of games caused for a difficult and rather unsuccessful season that ended in heartbreak as their season was cutoff prematurely by positive tests for COVID-19 in the ACC Tournament. Despite all that adversity, Steward showed signs of real promise.
Many times, Steward had high flying dunks and ankle breaking crossovers. His debut versus Coppin State was one of the best freshman debuts in school history to date as he posted 24 points. Many believed Steward should have returned to Durham for a sophomore campaign, but the young Blue Devil made the jump to the pros after just one season. And in that season he was second on the team in scoring and was named to the ACC All-Freshman team (runner up for ACC ROY).
Career Stats: 13 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.4 APG, 0.6 BPG, 1.1 SPG, 42.6% FG, 34.1% 3PT, 84.1% FT, 24 GP, 22 GS
11.) Trevor Keels
Year(s): 2022 | Accomplishments: Final Four, ACC Regular Season Champion, ACC All-Freshman
Keels burst on to the scene in Madison Square Garden as he dropped 25 points against a top ten ranked Kentucky team in the first game of Mike Krzyzewski's final season. Having two of his best games at Duke in his first game versus Kentucky, and then in his last versus North Carolina in the Final Four, Keels made a good first impression and left with a great effort. His career high came in another big moment at Pitt as Keels scores 27 points to help Duke clinch their first ACC Regular Season title in over a decade.
Despite his success in big games, Keels did struggle at points during the season. His efficiency as a shooter fell off, and his starting role was lost. Still, Keels maintained a vital part of a Final Four team. That role earned him a spot on the ACC's All-Freshman team as well.
Much like Steward, many believed that Keels left for the NBA prematurely. He was selected with the No. 42 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Knicks.
Career Stats: 11.5 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.7 APG, 0.1 BPG, 1.2 SPG, 41.9% FG, 31.2% 3PT, 67% FT, 36 GP, 26 GS
10.) AJ Griffin
Year(s): 2022 | Accomplishments: Final Four, ACC Regular Season Champion, ACC All-Freshman
Griffin came to Duke a heralded NBA prospect, but his journey in Durham did not come without its challenges. In high school, Griffin missed years of play due to injury, and even dealt with a minor injury to begin the year at Duke. It was because of that history with injuries that Griffin was not an immediate starter.
After a breakout game vs. South Carolina State in which he posted 19 points, Griffin took off, shooting scorching hot from three. He had perhaps his best game at North Carolina, scoring 27 points on 11 of 17 shooting. In Duke's Elite 8 victory over Arkansas, Griffin scored 18 points as he lit it up from three.
Griffin's shooting ability is truly special and his game really took form during his single season at Duke. He was named first team All-Freshman in the ACC before being selected 16th overall by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Career Stats: 10.4 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 1.0 APG, 0.6 BPG, 0.5 SPG, 49.3% FG, 44.7% 3PT, 79.2% FT, 39 GP, 25 GS
9.) Cassius Stanley
Year(s): 2020 | Accomplishments: ACC All-Freshman
In a promising season tragically cut short by the pandemic, Stanley was routinely flying under the radar despite flying high above the rim.
The high school dunking sensation was more than just high flying antics though. Even after shocking the world of basketball by breaking Zion Williamson's vertical jump record at Duke, he went on to post an impressive 12.6 points per game with solid shooting and slashing. Criticized for an inconsistent jump shot in high school, Stanley proved he could be a marksman from beyond-the-arc.
Many of the top performers from the 2019-20 season do not get proper recognition because there was no postseason. That Duke team was riding the coattails of emerging difference maker Justin Robinson in what seemed to be a promising postseason. The Blue Devils appeared to be inline for a two or three seed in the NCAA Tournament. All that said, I most assuredly did not want to hold lack of banners against any Blue Devil on that team, especially a one-and-done like Stanley whose solid play earned him a spot on the ACC All-Freshman team.
Career Stats: 12.6 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.0 APG, 0.7 BPG, 0.7 SPG, 47.4% FG, 36% 3PT, 73.3% FT, 29 GP, 29 GS
8.) Jeremy Roach
Year(s): 2021-Present | Accomplishments: Final Four, ACC Regular Season Champion, ACC Tournament Champion, ACC All-Tournament, NCAA Tournament All-Region
Roach is the only player on this list to reach his senior season. He's also the only player remaining from the 2020-21 tainted COVID season. College basketball has changed dramatically since Roach came on to campus for the first time. Duke has changed too, and so has Roach's role each season.
From a freshman trying to find his footing during an unsure season, to a role playing starter in the Final Four, to the team captain and leader of Scheyer's first squad. Roach is the perfect test subject for how odd college basketball has been in the 2020s. Not to mention his battle with a toe injury last season, Roach has truly gone through the gauntlet.
But here he is, eighth on this list before his career is over. The veteran point guard averaged better than 13 point per game as a junior, and he is 20 points away from being the first Blue Devil to break 1,000 career points in seven seasons.
Career Stats: 10.3 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 3.0 APG, 0.1 BPG, 0.8 SPG, 42.7% FG, 32.8% 3PT, 75.4% FT, 95 GP, 75 GS
7.) Mark Williams
Year(s): 2021-2022 | Accomplishments: Final Four, ACC Regular Season Champion, ACC All-Tournament, ACC All-Defense, ACC Defensive Player of the Year, 3rd Team All-ACC, NCAA Tournament All-Region
Williams altered every single shot in the paint. He was the core of Duke's defense during their Final Four run in 2021-22, and it earned him ACC Defensive Player of the Year (Duke's fourth winner since the award's conception in 2005). Williams emerged as a rising star at the end of his freshman season as he ended the year with 23 points and 19 rebounds against Louisville in the ACC Tournament.
He even dominated against future second overall pick Chet Holmgren versus Gonzaga early in his sophomore season. He was not frequently a volume scorer due to lower minutes than the other starters and a lack of shot attempts. When he was involved in the offense consistently, he could put points on the board in a hurry. An All-ACC player in 2022, Williams' shot blocking was so good he ended his two year career sixth all-time in blocks at Duke, and was on track to place second or even first if he played all four years.
Career Stats: 9.7 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 0.8 APG, 2.3 BPG, 0.5 SPG, 70.4% FG, 66.1% FT, 62 GP, 54 GS
6.) Matthew Hurt
Year(s): 2020-2021 | Accomplishments: 1st Team All-ACC, ACC Most Improved Player
Given Hurt's sensational shooting ability, it is a shame that he never got to play in an NCAA Tournament during his two years at Duke. Despite having two seasons tragically end unnaturally, Hurt showed tremendous improvement from his freshman to sophomore year, growing from a role player to the best on the team. This improvement led to him winning ACC Most Improved Player, the first and only Blue Devil to win the award thus far. His 18.3 points per game in 2020-21 is the highest of any player in the 2020s so far at Duke.
His ability to shoot contested shots from three and mid-range at a high clip on a high number of attempts made him one of the most prolific stretch four shooters in Duke basketball history. His 37 point game versus Louisville is the most of any player in a single game since JJ Redick in 2006. Hurt was in the ACC POY race the entire season but ultimately fell short, still receiving a 1st Team All-ACC nod before declaring early for the NBA Draft after two years.
The team's struggles in 2020-21 coupled with his own defensive struggles played roles in Hurt not finding a higher place on this list.
Career Stats: 13.5 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.7 BPG, 1.2 SPG, 52.6% FG, 42.1% 3PT, 73.1% FT, 55 GP, 45 GS
5.) Kyle Filipowski
Year(s): 2023-Present | Accomplishments: ACC Tournament Champion, ACC All-Tournament, ACC Tournament MVP, ACC All-Freshman, ACC Rookie of the Year, 2nd Team All-ACC
Few players can be classified as Duke's best player in a given season and still have tons of room for improvement. But that's how I'd describe freshman season Filipowski. The 7-foot big was dominant for large stretches of the season in 2022-23. Still, he made many mistakes. He sometimes struggled to finish around the basket because he wouldn't go up strong. He turned the ball over a lot as well. Despite having great form as a three-point shooter, he was a below average shot from three.
And yet, here he is in the top five already.
I may have been too hard on Filipowski. Yes, he had some growing pains, but what freshman doesn't? He was the ACC Rookie of the Year, and was a player of the year candidate for much of the year as well. He had some phenomenal scoring performances. He disproved the naysayers who said he wouldn't perform well due to his attitude and defense.
In fact, there was perhaps no one tougher on Duke's roster. He took blow after blow and continued to be Duke's best player; all while battling hip injuries. And, his defense was extremely solid all season long.
In 12 months, I have a feeling Filipowski will be on the top of this list.
Career Stats: 15.1 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 1.6 APG, 0.7 BPG, 1.3 SPG, 44.1% FG, 28.2% 3PT, 76.5% FT, 36 GP, 36 GS
4.) Wendell Moore Jr.
Year(s): 2020-2022 | Accomplishments: Final Four, ACC Regular Season Champion, ACC All-Tournament, ACC All-Defense, 2nd Team All-ACC, National Small Forward of the Year
This decade, you would be hard pressed to find a Blue Devil who improved as much as Moore did during his time in Durham. As a freshman, Moore was an on-again off-again starter who was inconsistent but still had a handful of solid scoring nights, such as 25 points versus Wake Forest. He also had one of the most iconic game winners in program history with his tap back in overtime to win at UNC in 2020.
By his sophomore year, Moore had drastically improved as a three point shooter, but he took another massive leap as a shooter, passer, floor general, and leader in his junior year as the team captain who led the young Blue Devils to the Final Four.
Moore became just the fifth Duke player ever to post a triple-double as he as he put up 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists against Army. He became the third Blue Devil ever to win a positional award as he won National Small Forward of the Year, joining RJ Barrett and Zion Williamson who won National Shooting Guard and Power Forward of the Year, respectively, in 2019.
Moore embodied what it meant to stick with it and trust the process. He was a first round selection by the Timberwolves in 2022.
Career Stats: 10.7 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 3.2 APG, 0.2 BPG, 1.2 SPG, 45.9% FG, 35.8% 3PT, 81.4% FT, 88 GP, 68 GS
3.) Vernon Carey Jr.
Year(s): 2020 | Accomplishments: ACC All-Freshman, ACC Rookie of the Year, 1st Team All-ACC, 2nd Team All-American, National Rookie of the Year
Carey Jr. may have one of the most dominantly underrated seasons in Duke basketball history. The young center was efficient and strong on the low block. He typically finished above-the-rim with thunderous dunks, and although he did not often, he could shoot the ball from outside. Carey was the National Freshman of the Year and a consensus All-American. He likely would have won ACC Player of the Year if Duke had chose to nominate him instead of Tre Jones for the award (or if both had been nominated).
His dominance is overlooked due to the unconventional closing to the 2019-2020 season, but Carey's performance at Duke deserves proper recognition. He went on to be selected with the No. 32 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets.
Career Stats: 17.8 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 1.0 APG, 1.6 BPG, 0.7 SPG, 57.7% FG, 38.1% 3PT, 67% FT, 31 GP, 30 GS
2.) Tre Jones
Year(s): 2019-2020 | Accomplishments: ACC Tournament Champion, ACC All-Tournament, ACC All-Freshman, 2x ACC All-Defense, ACC Defensive Player of the Year, 1st Team All-ACC, ACC Player of the Year, 3rd Team All-American
The brother of former Final Four Most Outstanding Player and fan favorite Tyus Jones, Tre, came in with lofty expectations.
He boasted a feel for the game that was matched by very few. He exemplified elite court vision, on ball defense, mid range shooting, finishing, and sneaky athleticism. As part of the "4 Killas" or the 2018 recruiting class consisting of fellow five-star recruits Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett, and Cam Reddish, the spot light was on Duke during Jones' freshman year. He struggled a bit with his jump shot as a freshman, but he put together a stellar campaign setting up his All-American teammates and playing suffocating defense on his way to conference recognition on the All-Freshman and All-Defense teams in 2019.
The young Blue Devils season ended in despair as they were upset by one point in the Elite 8 by Michigan State. Unlike his teammates, Jones opted to stick around for his sophomore year.
During the 2019-20 season, Jones delivered multiple 30 point games and one of the greatest comeback performances of all-time, capitalized by his iconic intentional miss and buzzer beater to force overtime versus UNC.
Jones went on to become the second player ever to win both ACC POY and DPOY in the same season. He was an All-American and a finalist for National DPOY. The only thing he did not do in 2020 was deliver the national title he so desperately sought. COVID put an untimely end to Jones' career at Duke, but before he was selected No. 41 in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Spurs, he left his mark on Durham forever.
Career Stats: 12.4 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 5.8 APG, 0.2 BPG, 1.8 SPG, 41.9% FG, 31.3% 3PT, 76.7% FT, 65 GP, 65 GS
1.) Paolo Banchero
Year(s): 2022 | Accomplishments: Final Four, ACC Regular Season Champion, ACC All-Tournament, ACC All-Freshman, ACC Rookie of the Year, 1st Team All-ACC, NCAA Tournament All-Region, NCAA All-Tournament, 2nd Team All-American
Coach K's final All-American is the "Player of the 2020s" through the first four seasons.
K's final All-American. His final ROY. Final number one overall pick, and so much more. All delivered by Paolo Banchero. Banchero is a mix of skill and power that is rarely seen at the NBA level, better yet the college level. His ability to score in the paint using his 6-foot-10, 250-pound frame, and rise above defenders, coupled with his smooth ball fakes and jump shots made Banchero almost impossible to guard at moments. Very few players can say they are the best player on a Final Four team and an All-American --- AND a number one pick.
Banchero can.
His all around game came to total fruition during Duke's run to New Orleans. He was leading the Blue Devils in an efficient and dominant fashion. The young man from Seattle made for some unforgettable moments in Durham, which is why Coach K's final All-American takes the top spot on this list.
Career Stats: 17.2 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 3.2 APG, 0.9 BPG, 1.1 SPG, 47.8% FG, 33.8% 3PT, 72.9% FT, 39 GP, 39 GS
Honorable Mentions.) Jordan Goldwire, Dariq Whitehead, Ryan Young
Ben McCormick | @Duke_Wisdom
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