Coach K Reveals Who He Believes Is the Greatest Blue Devil Ever
When it comes to identifying the best player to ever wear a Duke basketball jersey, there’s arguably no opinion more authoritative than that of legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski. Over more than four decades at the helm, Coach K built Duke into a college basketball powerhouse, mentoring a long list of elite talent — from Art Heyman to Christian Laettner, JJ Redick, Zion Williamson, and most recently, Cooper Flagg.
Given the abundance of star players to pass through Durham, naming the all-time best Blue Devil is no easy task. Yet, Coach K did just that during a recent appearance on Dusty and Danny in the Morning. With years of firsthand experience coaching the program’s greatest stars, Krzyzewski offered a definitive answer.
“Grant [Hill] is the best player to ever play at Duke,” Coach K said. “Christian [Laettner] is the most accomplished, and we’ve had great, great players. Cooper [Flagg], in his freshman year, was definitely the best freshman that has ever played.”
While Krzyzewski gave high praise to multiple players — especially Flagg, who he lauded as the most impressive freshman Duke has ever had — it was Hill who earned the nod as the greatest overall.
Grant Hill’s Legacy at Duke
Hill’s four-year career in Durham, spanning 1990 to 1994, was nothing short of legendary. He averaged 14.9 points, six rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.7 steals, and one block per game while playing with a level of poise and versatility that became his trademark.
As a sophomore and junior, Hill helped lead the Blue Devils to back-to-back national championships in 1991 and 1992 — one of the few players in modern college basketball history to accomplish such a feat. By his senior year, Hill had grown into one of the most complete players in the nation, earning Second Team All-American honors as a junior and First Team All-American honors as a senior.
A Star Beyond College
Hill’s success didn’t stop in college. He was selected third overall by the Detroit Pistons in the 1994 NBA Draft and made an immediate impact in the league. He shared the 1994-95 NBA Rookie of the Year award and went on to appear in seven All-Star Games and earn five All-NBA selections over the course of his career. He played for the Pistons, Magic, Suns, and Clippers before retiring.
His number 33 jersey now hangs from the rafters at Cameron Indoor Stadium — a testament to his lasting influence on the program.
A Fitting Choice from Coach K
While Laettner’s accolades and Flagg’s electrifying freshman campaign were both highlighted by Krzyzewski, his ultimate endorsement of Hill speaks volumes. Coach K coached all three and saw firsthand what each brought to the court. Laettner may be the most decorated in terms of accomplishments, and Flagg could very well be the future of Duke basketball and a once-in-a-generation talent, but Hill’s blend of leadership, athleticism, and unselfish excellence gave him the edge in Krzyzewski’s eyes.
Coach K’s choice reflects not just statistics or trophies, but the intangible qualities that make a player legendary in the eyes of the man who helped shape them. For Krzyzewski, Hill embodied everything Duke basketball strives to represent — excellence, humility, and consistency at the highest level.
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