NCAA Basketball: 10 best players from state of Arizona of last decade
By Joey Loose
2. Marvin Bagley III – Duke
The top recruit from the 2017 recruiting class, Bagley was a 6’11 forward raised in Phoenix who had already blossomed into a star at the high school level. He signed on and played the only season of his collegiate career for Mike Krzyzewski at Duke, but he certainly took advantage of that year with the Blue Devils.
A double-double machine, Bagley averaged 21.0 points and 11.1 rebounds per game, ranking among the best rebounders in the entire country. He had a remarkable 32-point, 21-rebound effort in a win against Florida State, and set a career-high with 34 points against Texas. Bagley helped the Blue Devils to an 11-0 start to the season and an eventual trip to the Elite Eight, ironically scoring 22 points in each of their three Tourney wins.
The accolades were numerous for Bagley, who was named ACC Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year and was also a First Team All-American. He led the ACC in points, rebounds, and various efficiency ratings, all as a freshman. He declared for the NBA Draft and was taken with the second pick by the Sacramento Kings four years ago. Bagley came into the collegiate game as a stud and really showed that in his year at Duke.