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College Basketball: Top 10 programs at producing NBA lottery picks

By Daniel Benjamin

MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 26: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats gestures in the second half against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regional at FedExForum on March 26, 2017 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 26: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats gestures in the second half against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regional at FedExForum on March 26, 2017 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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June 4, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) during the third quarter in game two of the 2017 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 132-113. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
June 4, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) during the third quarter in game two of the 2017 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 132-113. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Duke (23)

Overall No. 1 picks:  Elton Brand and Kyrie Irving

Other lottery picks: Shane Battier, Luol Deng, Mike Dunleavy, Danny Ferry, Gerald Henderson, Grant Hill, Bobby Hurley, Luke Kennard, Christian Laettner, Trajan Langdon, Corey Maggette, Jahlil Okafor, Jabari Parker, Cherokee Parks, J.J. Redick, Austin Rivers, Jayson Tatum, Jason Williams, Sheldon Williams, Justise Winslow, and Brandon Ingram.

Putting the Blue Devils here is a tough choice. Duke leads all NCAA programs with 23 lottery picks, including two number one picks — Brand and Irving. Brand was a quality NBA player who was a two-time All-Star. He averaged over 15 points and eight rebounds in more than 1,000 games. In the meantime, Irving is one of the best guards currently in the league.

Hill is a future Hall of Famer. Battier, Laettner, and Maggette had nice long careers. Also, Deng, Redick, and Rivers have turned into nice role players.

But Duke’s legacy for turning out legitimate superstars could ultimately depend upon how Ingram, Parker, Okafor, Winslow, and Tatum develop.

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