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Respect Your Elders: Ranking the best Duke Seniors of the Decade

By Walt Anderson

GREENVILLE, SC - MARCH 17: Matt Jones #13 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after forcing a turnover in the second half against the Troy Trojans during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 17, 2017 in Greenville, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
GREENVILLE, SC - MARCH 17: Matt Jones #13 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after forcing a turnover in the second half against the Troy Trojans during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 17, 2017 in Greenville, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – MARCH 20: Nolan Smith #2 of the Duke Blue Devils moves the ball upcourt while taking on the Michigan Wolverines during the third round of the 2011 NCAA men’s basketball tournament at Time Warner Cable Arena on March 20, 2011 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – MARCH 20: Nolan Smith #2 of the Duke Blue Devils moves the ball upcourt while taking on the Michigan Wolverines during the third round of the 2011 NCAA men’s basketball tournament at Time Warner Cable Arena on March 20, 2011 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

No. 2 – Kyle Singler (2007-11)

One of the most decorated Duke players ever, Kyle Singler was the ACC Rookie of the Year in 2008, a two-time All-ACC selection, an All-American, and the Final Four Most Outstanding Player. Singler could and would do it all. From making threes to diving on the floor after loose balls, this national champion was Coach K’s dream. Singler averaged 16 PPG, 7 RPB, 2 APG and shot 36% from beyond the arc while at Duke.

No. 1 – Nolan Smith (2007-11)

As talented as Kyrie Irving was, if he had not returned after injury during the 2010-11 season, then we may be writing about Nolan Smith as a two-time NCAA Champion. Nolan simply shredded college basketball during his senior campaign, averaging 20 PPG, 5 RPG and 5 APG. He also shot 50% from the field, 35% from three and 81% from the charity stripe. His career night came against UNC as he torched them for 34 points in 2011. Once Kyrie returned, Smith couldn’t seem to find his rhythm again, and finished his career by scoring eight points in a NCAA Tournament loss to Arizona.

*stats from sports-reference.com

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