Duke Basketball Studs And Duds Have One Positional Group ...
Duke basketball is one of the most storied programs in college basketball history. The Blue Devils have won five national championships and produced countless NBA stars. However, not every Duke player has lived up to expectations. In this article, we'll take a look at the Duke basketball studs and duds, focusing on one particular positional group that has produced both.
The Point Guards
When it comes to Duke basketball, the point guard position is one of the most important. This is the player who sets the tone for the team and controls the tempo of the game. Over the years, Duke has had some incredible point guards, but they've also had some duds.
The Studs
Let's start with the studs. There have been several Duke point guards who have gone on to have successful NBA careers. Perhaps the most famous is Kyrie Irving, who was a one-and-done player at Duke before being drafted first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2011. Irving is a six-time NBA All-Star and was the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2012.
Another Duke point guard who has had success in the NBA is Jayson Tatum. Tatum played one season at Duke before being drafted third overall by the Boston Celtics in 2017. He has quickly become one of the best players in the league and was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2020.
Other Duke point guards who have gone on to have successful NBA careers include Chris Duhon, who won an NBA championship with the Chicago Bulls in 2006, and Bobby Hurley, who was a first-round pick in the 1993 NBA Draft.
The Duds
Of course, not every Duke point guard has gone on to have a successful NBA career. Some have been flat-out duds. One such player is Greg Paulus, who played four seasons at Duke from 2005-2009. Despite being a McDonald's All-American in high school, Paulus struggled to make an impact at Duke and never played in the NBA.
Another Duke point guard who was a dud is Derryck Thornton. Thornton played just one season at Duke in 2015-2016 before transferring to USC. He was a five-star recruit coming out of high school but failed to live up to expectations at Duke.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Duke basketball program has produced some incredible players over the years, but not every player has lived up to expectations. When it comes to the point guard position, Duke has had some studs who have gone on to have successful NBA careers, but they've also had some duds who have failed to make an impact at the next level.
