Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball Set to Break Tie With UNC at NBA Draft

Duke basketball has over twice as many NBA first-rounders as UNC across the past 10 years.

Matt Giles

Duke Basketball Set to Break Tie With UNC at NBA Draft
Duke Basketball Set to Break Tie With UNC at NBA Draft /
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Only three schools have produced over 50 first-round picks since the first NBA Draft 76 years ago, according to the count at NCAA.com. Not counting players who transferred to another school before going pro, Kentucky leads the way with 57, followed by 53 apiece from the Duke basketball program and its archrival, UNC.

With only two Duke products being projected draft picks this year, there is no way the Blue Devils will catch the Wildcats on that list come Thursday night. That said, they should gain some ground.

Among ESPN's latest update to its list of the top 100 available prospects, Cason Wallace (No. 15) is the only Kentucky product inside the top 30. At the same time, Duke has two players in that bunch: Dereck Lively II (No. 13) and Dariq Whitehead (No. 26).

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And UNC has zero in the top 100. So as long as either Lively or Whitehead hears his name before the second round — seemingly zero chance that won't happen — Duke will boast more all-time first-round picks than the Tar Heels for the first time in history.

Ten years ago, entering the 2013 NBA Draft, UNC's all-time first-round count sat at 43, with Duke at only 32. But the Blue Devils have enjoyed a 21-10 advantage over the Tar Heels across the past 10 drafts.

Last year, Duke basketball tied a program record with four first-round picks, including the No. 1 overall selection in now-reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero.

RELATED: List of Every Blue Devil Currently in the NBA

The 2023 NBA Draft begins at 8 p.m. ET Thursday (on ABC and ESPN) at the Brooklyn Nets' Barclays Center.

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country for daily Duke basketball news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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