Dereck Lively II Reveals Shocking Duke Mt. Rushmore Picks

Dereck Lively II Reveals Shocking Duke Mt. Rushmore Picks

Former Duke standout Dereck Lively II is coming off an impressive rookie season as he played a huge role in the Dallas Mavericks making an NBA Finals run. The 12th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft averaged 8.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game, en route to being named to the All-Rookie second team.

No one knew how Lively II would fare in his rookie season after only producing 5.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game in his lone year at Duke. However, he exceeded those expectations and will only continue to get better.

The 20-year-old center was asked a series of questions by Bleacher Report, which included one about the Mt. Rushmore of Duke NBA players. The Blue Devils’ program has had many players head to the NBA over the decades and have solid careers.

Lively II didn’t hesitate when giving his answers naming Kyrie Irving, Grant Hill, Zion Williamson, and Paolo Banchero.

Anytime there’s a Mt. Rushmore discussion in sports, people will take issue with who was chosen. Fans on social media immediately wondered why Jayson Tatum wasn’t mentioned, especially since he just won the NBA Finals.

However, it’s good to remember that Tatum and the Celtics defeated Lively II and the Mavs in the Finals.

Other fans mentioned Brandon Ingram, JJ Redick, Christian Laettner, Gene Banks, and Jason Williams. 

Nonetheless, there’s no right or wrong answer as it involves Mt. Rushmore, especially for Duke, which has had many great players. Could Lively have gone with Tatum? Yes, but who would he have knocked off? Irving, who is his current teammate in Dallas? 

Williamson, who was a college basketball phenom, or Banchero, who was great in his own right and became the No. 1 overall pick too? The same can be said about Redick, Laettner, and other players. It’s all subjective but a fun exercise, nonetheless.

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