Duke Basketball: A Legacy of Dominance and Excellence

Duke basketball is a storied program that has consistently been one of the most successful teams in college basketball. With a rich history that includes five national championships and numerous ACC titles, Duke basketball has produced some of the game's most iconic players and coaches.

The Early Years

Duke basketball was founded in 1905, making it one of the oldest programs in college basketball. However, it wasn't until the arrival of legendary coach Vic Bubas in 1959 that the Blue Devils started to gain national prominence. Under Bubas, Duke won three straight ACC championships from 1960-62 and made its first NCAA tournament appearance in 1963.

The Coach K Era

In 1980, Mike Krzyzewski (better known as Coach K) was hired to lead the Duke basketball program. At the time, Duke was a solid program, but nowhere near the powerhouse it would become under Coach K's leadership. In his first three seasons, Krzyzewski struggled, going a combined 38-47. However, in the 1983-84 season, Duke won the ACC tournament and made a surprise run to the Final Four. From that point on, Coach K and Duke basketball would never look back.

Over the next several decades, Duke basketball became one of the most dominant programs in college basketball. Under Coach K's leadership, the Blue Devils won five national championships (1991, 1992, 2001, 2010, and 2015) and made 12 Final Four appearances. Krzyzewski has also won numerous ACC titles and is the winningest coach in college basketball history.

Notable Players

Duke basketball has produced some of the most iconic players in college basketball history. Most players include:

Christian Laettner: Laettner is one of the most accomplished players in Duke history. He helped lead the Blue Devils to back-to-back national championships in 1991 and 1992 and was a two-time All-American.

Grant Hill: Hill was a dynamic player who helped lead Duke to two national championships in the early 1990s. He was a two-time All-American and won the Naismith College Player of the Year award in 1994.

J.J. Redick: Redick is one of the greatest shooters in college basketball history. He was a two-time All-American and won the Naismith College Player of the Year award in 2006.

Shane Battier: Battier was a versatile player who helped lead Duke to the national championship in 2001. He was a two-time All-American and won the Naismith College Player of the Year award in 2001.

Zion Williamson: Williamson was a dominant force during his one season at Duke. He was the consensus national player of the year and was selected as the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft.

Current State of the Program

Duke basketball is currently going through a bit of a transition period. After missing the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1995 last season, the Blue Devils are looking to bounce back in a big way. Coach K retired after the 2020-21 season, and the program has been handed over to former Duke player and assistant coach Jon Scheyer.

Scheyer inherits a talented roster that includes sophomore forward Paolo Banchero and freshman guard Trevor Keels. The Blue Devils also have a strong recruiting class coming in for the 2022-23 season, headlined by five-star guard Jaden Bradley.

While there may be some uncertainty surrounding the program with a new coach at the helm, there's no doubt that Duke basketball will continue to be one of the most successful and storied programs in college basketball history.