Having officially coached his final game, legendary Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski leaves behind a legacy on the court that few others can dream of matching. Coach K’s resume includes multiple ACC and national championships with the Blue Devils, as well as some of the nation’s top recruits who have come to Durham and gone on to NBA greatness. Using the 247Sports Composite recruiting rankings, who are the top six highest-ranked high school basketball recruits to play at Duke since 2000?
RJ Barrett
The nation’s No. 1 overall player in the Class of 2018, the Montverde Academy (FL) graduate spent only one season at Duke, 2018-19, during which he averaged 22.6 points per game (PPG), 7.6 rebounds per game (RPG), and 4.3 assists per game (APG). Starting in all 38 games, RJ Barrett received numerous accolades at season’s end, including First Team All-American, First Team All-ACC, and more.
Marvin Bagley III
Marvin Bagley III, from Sierra Canyon (CA), was the nation’s No. 1 overall player in the Class of 2017. He too played only one season in Durham in 2017-18, averaging 21 PPG and 11.1 RPG on 61.4% shooting from the field. The 6-foot-11 forward was First Team All-American and All-ACC, as well as winner of ACC Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors.
Josh McRoberts
Rated as the No. 2 player nationally in the Class of 2005, Josh McRoberts, of Carmel (IN), spent two seasons at Duke, where he averaged 10.8 PPG, 6.5 RPG, and 1.9 blocks per game (BPG) and earned accolades including Second Team All-ACC, ACC All-Defense, and ACC All-Freshman.
Harry Giles
Harry Giles, the No. 2 overall player in the Class of 2016 out of Oak Hill Academy (VA), averaged 11.5 minutes per game during his lone season with the Blue Devils, and recorded 3.9 PPG on 57.7% shooting and 3.8 RPG.
Luol Deng
The No. 2 overall player in the Class of 2003, Luol Deng came to Duke from Blair Academy (NJ), where he played one season with the Blue Devils. Included in that 2003-4 season were averages of 15.1 PPG and 6.9 RPG, as well as Third Team All-ACC and ACC All-Freshman honors.
Jahlil Okafor
The nation’s top player from the Class of 2014, the five-star center from Whitney Young (IL) turned in a phenomenal season during his only season at Duke. The 2014-15 ACC Player and Rookie of the Year, Jahlil Okafor averaged 17.3 PPG and 8.5 RPG for the national champion Blue Devils, while also receiving honors including First Team All-American and First Team All-ACC.
After those six, here are a few other top-ranked recruits to play at Duke since 2000: Austin Rivers, Paolo Banchero, Cam Reddish, Brandon Ingram, Kyrie Irving, Jabari Parker, Jayson Tatum, and Zion Williamson.
