Duke Roster Contains Three College Basketball Players NCAA Coaches Most Want on Their Team
By Chris Brown
CBS Sports recently asked NCAA coaches which college basketball player would they pick to join their team this season, and three Blue Devils made the list.
In an anonymous candid interview with various college basketball coaches in the NCAA, CBS Sports recently asked: “If you could pick any Division I player and put him on your team for this season, which player would you pick?”. Duke led the way with three Blue Devils making the list, including the most wanted player and two of the top three most coveted players in the NCAA.
Related Story: Four Blue Devils Named Top 50 College Basketball Players
Rising junior guard Grayson Allen is ranked as the #1 player that coaches most want on their team, receiving 13% of the overall votes. Allen was one of the most improved players in the country last season. Here’s what one coach had to say about Allen and why he’s want him on his team:
"“I think Grayson Allen will be the best scorer in college basketball playing for the best team in the country. He has that attitude similar to Draymond Green. He just doesn’t give a crap and plays with a swagger.”"
More from Duke Basketball
- Duke basketball prioritizing frontcourt prospects in 2025
- Duke basketball: Unmasking the hate for the Blue Devils
- Duke basketball: Countdown to Craziness lands another huge visitor
- Duke basketball fills final open scholarship
- Duke basketball: Darren Harris, Isaiah Evans wear uniforms during visit
The next Blue Devil on the list was incoming freshman Harry Giles who was third receiving 10% of the votes. The versatile 6-10 forward was ranked as the top recruit in the incoming freshman class but is recovering from an ACL tear that forced him to miss his high school senior season. Giles has spent the summer rehabbing and getting back into shape and should be ready to go by the time the season starts. Coaches also noted how he could be a dominant player if he avoids injuries, with a coach saying:
"“I think Harry Giles is as good of a talent as there has been out of high school in a long time. He will have a Chris Webber/Kevin Garnett type of a career … if healthy.”"
Incoming freshman forward Jayson Tatum also made the list of the most wanted players in college basketball, tied for 7th receiving 5% of the votes with upperclassmen Nigel Hayes (Wisconsin), Dillon Brooks (Oregon), and Kris Jenkins who made the game-winner for Villanova in the national title game last year. Tatum dominated in high school at Chaminade Prep and also excelled off the court, receiving the prestigious honor of winning the overall 2016 Gatorade Male Athlete of the Year.
Next: Sixth Incoming Freshman Experiences Moving Delays
Thankfully, we will have Allen, Giles, and Tatum on the roster this season along with a collection of other very talented incoming and returning players. The expectations for Duke Men’s Basketball next season will be extremely high and the Blue Devils will enter the season as the national title favorites with a roster containing a few of the most wanted players in college basketball.