Duke Basketball: 10 best players ever from the Mike Krzyzewski era

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 06: Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils cuts down the net after defeating the Wisconsin Badgers during the NCAA Men's Final Four Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 6, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Duke defeated Wisconsin 68-63. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

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Mike Krzyzewski Alonzo Mourning Georgetown Hoyas Christian Laettner Duke Blue Devils (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

7. Christian Laettner

Christian Laettner led the Duke Blue Devils to their first two national titles in school history. Laettner is one of the most famous Duke players who has had some of the most clutch performances in NCAA Tournament history.

In the 1992 East Regional Final, Laettner posted 31 points and shot perfect from the field and the charity stripe. Many critics have considered this one of the greatest games in college basketball. Laettner hit a game-winning buzzer-beater jumper to defeat Kentucky. He then went on to end his collegiate career with his second national title.

The iconic game-winning shot received national attention and led to several companies featuring it in their commercials.

The following year Laettner was named “Outstanding Performance Under Pressure” and “College Basketball Play of the Year” by ESPN.

Although Laettner was one of the best players under the Coach K era, many opposing fans despised him throughout his career.

This led to the ESPN 30 for 30 documentaries, I hate Christian Laettner, which highlights the particular stepping on the chest of Kentucky player Aminu Timberlake which was deemed a technical foul.

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