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Former Blue Devils take over ESPN’s Top-100 NBA Players List

By Kevin Connelly

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 25: JJ Redick #17 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots over Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter of the game at TD Garden on December 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 25: JJ Redick #17 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots over Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter of the game at TD Garden on December 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /
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Former Duke Basketball players took over the ESPN NBA Top-100 Players ranking, as the NBA season is set to tipoff the the 2019-20 season.

The countdown to the NBA season in underway and the anticipation for the season is as high as it has been in years.

ESPN released its Top-100 players entering the 2019-20 season and former Duke Blue Devils have flooded the list, comprising of 7% of the players.

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Justise Winslow is the first Blue Devil to make an appearance on the list as the current member of the Miami Heat comes in at No. 94. The 2015 National Champion was the No. 10 overall pick of the 2015 NBA Draft and has averaged 8.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in his NBA career.

The next Blue Devil comes in at No. 74 in one of the Bayou Blue Devils. Free agent acquisition J.J. Redick of the New Orleans Pelicans is ranked No. 74 in the countdown, as the veteran is looking to continue his playoff streak with his new team.

In his NBA career, Redick is averaging 12.9 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game.

Marvin Bagley III of the Sacramento Kings was ranked No. 69 in the Top-100 list as the second year player is looking to lead the Kings back to the playoffs in a loaded Western Conference.

In his rookie season Bagley averaged 14.9 points and 7.6 rebounds per game en route to a spot on the 2018-19 All-Rookie Team.

We head back down to New Orleans to check in on Brandon Ingram who is ranked at No. 56 in the NBA Top-100 Players.

Ingram was traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Pelicans during the offseason in the blockbuster deal for Anthony Davis.

The former Blue Devil’s season was derailed by injuries last year but in his NBA career, he has averaged 13.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game.

Ingram and Redick’s youngest teammate, Zion Williamson, is ranked at No. 42 on the list as he is the highest ranked rookie by ESPN.

The only other rookie that ESPN put on the Top-100 list was Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.

Williamson was the consensus National Player of the Year in his one season at Duke and dominated college basketball, averaging 22.6 points, 8.9 rebounds. 2.1 assists. 2.1 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game.

Jayson Tatum is looking for a big jump in his third season in the NBA after shining in his rookie season and taking a bit of a step back in his second season.

The No. 3 overall pick of the Boston Celtics in the 2017 NBA Draft is averaging 14.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in his NBA career as the Celtics look to make it out of the Eastern Conference.

One player who is no longer in Boston is Kyrie Irving as the newest Brooklyn Nets is the highest ranked Blue Devil on the Top-100 list at No. 11.

Irving signed a four-year, $141 Million deal with the Nets in the offseason as a free agent and will look to bring Brooklyn its first NBA Title.

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In his eight year career, Irving has averaged 22.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 5.7 assists, including one NBA Championship in 2016 with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

While the 2019-20 Duke Blue Devils will be looking to make a name for themselves on the college hardwood, be sure to keep an eye on the former Blue Devils, looking to win an NBA Title.

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