Duke Basketball: Best player ever to wear every Blue Devil jersey number
By Dakota Cox
No. 30: Jon Scheyer (2007-2010)
Scheyer achieved a lot in his four years. He won a title, became an All American, and performed well in the tournament. His 23.5 Win shares add another solid stat to prove his worth. Seth Curry was an interesting option, but his numbers for three years couldn’t compare to what Scheyer did.
No. 31: Shane Battier (1998-2001)
NBA fans will remember Shane Battier being a veteran on the LeBron James’s Miami Heat teams. College fans remember Battier’s shooting ability, shooting over 41% over his career. His senior year was his best. He won personal awards and a national championship for Duke. Battier has the perfect balance between college and professional success. He’s an all-timer in college and a legend in certain circles in the NBA.
No. 32: Christian Laettner (1989-1992)
Another all-timer, Laettner just might be the greatest Duke player of all time. He was the largest leader in his two championship seasons, and he showed many people that Duke was a powerhouse. He gave fans so many all-time great plays.
No. 33: Grant Hill (1991-1994)
Three great stars in a row. Grant Hill has arguably done more in the NBA than any other Duke player. He did the same thing at Duke. Being teammates with Laettner did a lot for Hill’s career. He learned and became a leader of his own. All in all, Grant Hill might be the best No. 33 in basketball history and he definitely is at Duke.
No. 34: Mike Dunleavy (2000-2002)
Younger fans might prefer Wendell Carter Jr. as an option here, but numbers don’t lie. He was the third-leading scorer on the championship team behind two all-time greats. His stats increased his junior year before moving on to the NBA. He was never the best player on his team, but that’s not because he wasn’t one of the best players in Duke history.
No. 35: Danny Ferry (1986-1989)
the 30’s are a great number set for jerseys. Numbers 31-35 are all retired. Marvin Bagley did a lot for 35, but he wouldn’t have been allowed to wear it without permission from Ferry. He won awards, was a two-time consensus All-American, and averaged over 20 points in his senior season. He deserved his jersey in the rafters, and no one will compare for No. 35.