Luol Deng was a member of the Duke men’s basketball team for just one year, but he made the most of it. He averaged 15.1 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, which helped the Blue Devils reach the 2004 Final Four. After his rookie campaign, Deng was selected by the Phoenix Suns with the seventh overall choice in the 2004 NBA Draft. The renowned Mike Krzyzewski had him as one of his first one-and-done players.
In an interview with the Knuckleheads Podcast, Deng said, “Coach K and Grant Hill were the main reasons I was able to attend Duke.” “I kind of imagined that I would be coached by Coack K, but I never really realized that I would leave Duke after a year.”
Only one season of collegiate basketball was considerably less typical twenty years ago, and Deng’s decision to go pro caused tension in his relationship with Coach K.He went on, “I always tell people that I was one of the first to leave after one year, but the whole reason I wanted Duke was to build a legacy like Grant Hill did and have that relationship with Coach K.” Additionally, the initial partnership with Coach K didn’t work out. Since leaving Duke after just one year wasn’t typical, it took some time to mend that relationship, but now we’re really close, and I kind of love it.
In an instant classic, Deng lost to eventual winner UConn in the Final Four to end his college career in San Antonio. Deng scored 16 points in the first half as the Blue Devils dominated the middle of the game, but the Huskies rallied for a 79-78 victory.
Best friends and high school teammates faced off, with Deng facing Charlie Villanueva of UConn.
Deng’s brother, Ajou Ajou Deng, was a once-heralded recruit who eventually did not work out for the Huskies, as UConn supporters will recall. Before arriving in Durham, the former Blue Devil acknowledged that he was also expected to attend UConn.
