The Duke Blue Devils have maintained their elite status in college basketball, now under head coach Jon Scheyer. But when it comes to shaping Duke’s historic legacy, Mike Krzyzewski remains the defining figure. Recently, the iconic coach shared his thoughts on the program’s current state, and named the best player to ever wear a Duke jersey.
Mike Krzyzewski Puts Grant Hill Above the Rest
In a video that surfaced Tuesday, Krzyzewski praised several standout players from Duke’s rich history. But when asked who he believes is the greatest, he didn’t hesitate.
“Grant [Hill] is the best player to ever play at Duke,” Krzyzewski said. “Laettner is the most accomplished. … Cooper [Flagg] is definitely the best freshman that has ever played.”
Krzyzewski’s words carry weight. After all, this is the man who coached Christian Laettner, Zion Williamson, Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum, and many more NBA talents. Yet he placed Grant Hill above them all.
Hill played for Duke from 1990 to 1994, leading the program to back-to-back national championships in 1991 and 1992. He was named consensus first-team All-American in 1994 and second-team in 1993. That same year, he also earned ACC Player of the Year honors.
Grant Hill’s Career In the NBA
After college, Hill was selected with the No. 3 overall pick in the 1994 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons. He played in Detroit for six seasons before continuing his career with the Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, and Los Angeles Clippers.
Hill was a seven-time NBA All-Star, made five All-NBA teams, and was one of the league’s most versatile players in his prime. Despite injuries later in his career, he left a lasting impact on both college and professional basketball. Duke retired his No. 33 jersey, cementing his legendary status.
Krzyzewski’s praise of Hill, especially in an era where many other Duke players have gained national spotlight, reminds fans of just how impactful Hill was. His all-around game, leadership, and championship success helped define an era at Duke, and according to Coach K, no one has ever done it better.
