4. Chris Duhon
Stats – 8.8 points, 5.7 assists, 2.1 steals, ACC Rookie Of The Year, 2001 National Championship
At number four on our list, we have our first national champion, and another likely surprise inclusion. However, Duhon was a do-it-all point guard who was the heart and soul of many Duke teams.
In 2001, as a freshman, Duhon served as a back-up point guard for most the season, eventually moving to the starting lineup after teammate Carlos Boozer was injured. He started in the national title game against Arizona, where he had 9 points and 6 assists.
In following seasons, Duhon would improve on a each year, finishing his senior year averaging 10.0 points, 6.1 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.2 steals. Upon leaving his senior year, Duhon was all-time leader in steals and minutes played and second in assists. He also left as the only player in ACC history with 1200 points, 800 assists, 475 rebounds, 300 steals, and 125 three-pointer made.
He also finished as the second-most winningest player in Duke history with 123 wins over his four years, and gave Duke fans many highlights along his way, including one of the biggest shots ever in the Duke-UNC rivalry.
3. Johnny Dawkins
Stats – 19.2 points, 4.2 assists, 4.0 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 50.8% field goal, Player Of Year
The fact that Dawkins comes in 3rd shows you just how talented the two above them is.
Dawkins was Coach K’s first superstar, and he led the team accordingly. Despite never winning a title, Dawkins was named the ’86 Player of the Year and was twice a consensus first-team in ’85 and ’86. In his senior season, he led the Blue Devils to the national title game alongside Amaker, setting the record for wins in a single season. He averaged 20.2 points on 54.9% from the field en route to his player of the year award.
He would later be named to the ACC 50th Anniversary basketball team, reserved for the top 50 players in ACC history.