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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Duke basketball player Shane Battier Mike Krzyzewski (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

4. Shane Battier

Shane Battier was one of the best defensive players to ever play for the Duke. His number (31) is retired by the Blue Devils and hangs among the other banners in the rafters of the Cameron Indoor Stadium.

He led Duke to two Final Fours in 1999 and 2001. Duke lost to the UConn Huskies in 1999 but, came back to defeat the Arizona Wildcats for the National Championship.

In 2001, Battier collected several awards and honors nationally and within the conference. He was a consensus national player of the year. His honors including the Naismith, Associated Press, and Sporting News College Player of the Year awards. Battier was also the 2001 NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player, Academic All-American of the Year, and ACC co-Player of the Year award.

Battier declared for the 2001 NBA Draft and was selected sixth overall by the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies were in the process of transitioning from Vancouver to Memphis at the time.

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