CBS Ranks Duke’s Best Freshmen — But Did They Get It Right?

CBS Ranks Duke’s Best Freshmen — But Did They Get It Right?

It’s one of the most impossible jobs in college basketball commentary: narrowing down the best freshmen in Duke history to just five. That’s the challenge CBS Sports’ Cameron Salerno took on  and while his list features undeniable talent, it’s already sparking serious debate in Durham and beyond.

Here’s Salerno’s Top 5:

1. Cooper Flagg
2. Zion Williamson
3. Jahlil Okafor
4. Marvin Bagley
5. RJ Barrett

At first glance, that’s a stacked group of phenoms  multiple top-overall recruits, one-and-done stars, and highlight-reel machines. But is this really Duke’s definitive freshman Mount Rushmore?

Not so fast.

Where’s Tyus Jones?

Let’s start with Tyus Jones, the cerebral floor general of the 2015 national championship team. While Okafor got the headlines, Jones was the engine. Clutch, composed, and always in control, he was the coach on the floor that drove Duke to the title. Not putting him in the top five? That’s a head-scratcher.

No Grant Hill? Seriously?

Then there’s Grant Hill, one of the most versatile and impactful players in Duke history and one of the most important freshmen ever to wear the uniform. He didn’t just produce on the stat sheet; he transformed Duke’s ceiling the moment he stepped on the floor. Leaving Hill off this list almost feels like a crime against Cameron Indoor history.

The Forgotten Era: Hurley, Redick, and the Legends of the Past

What about Bobby Hurley? The guy was a freshman in 1990 and still led Duke all the way to the national title game. He went on to become the NCAA’s all-time assist leader  but even as a freshman, his grit and leadership were off the charts.

And JJ Redick  polarizing? Yes. Lethal from day one? Absolutely. His swagger and shooting had a major impact as soon as he hit campus.

The Unsung Heroes: Spanarkel, Gminski, and Banks

You can’t talk about Duke’s foundational greats without mentioning Jim Spanarkel, Mike Gminski, and Gene Banks. These names may not be trending on TikTok, but they helped build the very program that today’s stars stand on.

• Spanarkel was Duke’s first-ever ACC Rookie of the Year and one of the smartest, most efficient players in school history.
• Gminski was dominating ACC big men at just 16 years old.
• Banks brought charisma and fire to Duke’s run to the 1978 national title game  a run that changed the trajectory of the program.

Final Thoughts

Salerno’s list is solid especially with Cooper Flagg already making headlines before his first game but narrowing Duke’s legendary freshman performances down to just five is a fool’s errand. When a school has produced so many stars across generations, greatness takes many forms: from the flashy dunkers to the unshakable floor generals and program-builders.

Who belongs on your Duke freshman list? Because clearly, the conversation is far from over.