Mike Krzyzewski: The 15 Duke players who went on to have the most NBA success

Seth Curry, G (2013, undrafted) — Has played for eight teams in as many seasons. In the last three seasons, he has averaged 13.3 points per game on 48% shooting, including 44% from three.

Mike Dunleavy, G/F (2002, No. 3 overall) — Played 15 seasons for six teams. At his peak, with the Indiana Pacers, he averaged 19.1 points and 5.2 rebounds per game one season. Was a 40% shooter from three for the final 10 years of his career.

RJ Barrett, G/F (2019, No. 3 overall) — In just his third season, he is averaging 20.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game and has shown future All-Star potential.

Brandon Ingram, F (2016, No. 2 overall) — Still just 24, he is already in his sixth season. In three seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans, he has averaged 23.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. He was also a 2020 All-Star.

Christian Laettner, F/C (1992, No. 3 overall) — Played 13 seasons with six teams and was a 1997 All-Star. In his first five seasons in the NBA, he averaged 17.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game.

Curry has emerged from the shadow of brother Steph Curry and has developed into one of the best shooters in the NBA. Dunleavy would probably be better appreciated if he were playing today as a long 6-9 wing who could shoot threes. Barrett and Ingram are still early in their careers and will likely move up at their current paces. Laettner was often disliked and being the only college player on the 1992 Olympic Dream Team certainly didn't help. But he had a long and solid NBA career that included an All-Star appearance.

JJ Redick, G (2006, No. 11 overall) — Played 15 seasons for six teams and reached the playoffs 13 times. Led the NBA in three-point shooting in 2015-16. During a five-season stretch during the peak of his career, Redick averaged 16.6 points per game, including 43% from three.

Corey Maggette, G/F (1999, No. 13 overall) — Played 14 seasons with 6 teams. Averaged more than 20 points and five rebounds per game three times in his career and finished in the top 20 for scoring four times.

Luol Deng, F (2004, No. 7 overall) — A two-time All-Star who played 15 seasons with five clubs. In one eight-season stretch, he averaged 16.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.

Shane Battier, F (2001, No. 6 overall) — Played 13 seasons with three teams, winning championships in 2012 and 2013 with the Miami Heat. He was a two-time NBA All-Defensive team member.

Zion Williamson, F (2019. No. 1 overall) — Has only played 85 NBA games so far, but he has averaged 25.7 points and 7.0 rebounds per game as he has battled injuries. He was a 2020-21 All-Star.

You could argue that Zion is both better than this and not deserving of being this high yet. Talent-wise, he is clearly the best NBA big man that Coach K ever produced, but injuries have caused him to miss more games than he has played. Redick is a player who was probably born about eight years too early. He flourished later in his career and became a dependable shooter on several playoff teams. Maggette is the opposite, an underappreciated scorer who only made the playoffs once in his career. Deng was a starter on seven playoff teams and the only multi-time All-Star in this group. Battier was a solid role player on some very good teams late in his career.

Grant Hill, G/F (1994, No. 3 overall) — Hall of Famer, seven-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA (including once as a 1st team All-NBA), and Rookie of the Year.

Kyrie Irving, G (2011, No. 1 overall) — seven-time All-Star, three-time All-NBA, and Rookie of the Year.

Jayson Tatum, F (2017, No. 3 overall) — three-time All-Star and one-time All-NBA.

Carlos Boozer, F (2002, No. 35 overall) — two-time All-Star and one-time All-NBA.

Elton Brand, F/C (1999, No. 1 overall) — two-time All-Star, one-time All-NBA, and Rookie of the Year.

Hill is the star of this group and would have been even better if not for injuries in the prime of his career. Irving is not far behind and has the added bonus of having won a championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Tatum has built a strong resume in just five seasons, while Boozer and Brand enjoyed long careers with All-Star-level peaks.