Blue Devil Country

Duke basketball: Coach K Gives Message to Jon Scheyer's Blue Devils

The Duke basketball team heard from the coach and one of his former champs.

Matt Giles

Duke basketball: Coach K Gives Message to Jon Scheyer's Blue Devils
Duke basketball: Coach K Gives Message to Jon Scheyer's Blue Devils /
In this story:

Duke basketball great Carlos Boozer, a 2001 national champ who played 13 years in the NBA and won an Olympic gold medal while Mike Krzyzewski served as head coach of Team USA in 2008, was in Cameron Indoor Stadium on Friday before his induction into the school's Athletics Hall of Fame.

He spoke to the 2022-23 Blue Devils, describing how much he misses his time alongside his teammates and coaches in Durham before advising them to embrace their Duke basketball experience.

"You can be a star in your role," Boozer, now an analyst for the ACC Network, explained to a young Blue Devil squad that features five five-star rookies and a first-year head coach in Jon Scheyer. "I don't know what you guys' roles are, and it's interchanging; you guys may be a leading scorer the first half of the season, and someone else might do it the rest of the season.

"Just be all in. That's what I would tell you guys...Dive into being a Duke basketball player."

Boozer's former Duke head coach, retired legend Mike Krzyzewski, was on hand and imparted some wisdom of his own on the first group of Blue Devils under his former protege.

And Krzyzewski's message centered on the players building everlasting bonds with their coaches to the degree he did with Boozer and others across his 42 years at the program's helm.

"Develop relationships with your coaches, where 20 years later, we're best friends," Coach K, a five-time Duke basketball national champion and the game's all-time wins leader (1,202), said while grabbing Boozer's arm. "Get to know each other. Give it up. Besides winning, that's the best thing. And that's where 'The Brotherhood' comes in.

"Give it up. Give it up to each other. But really give it up to your coaches and especially your head coach."

Thus far, with only two returning scholarship players from Coach K's last team in sophomore point guard Jaylen Blakes and junior point guard Jeremy Roach, the No. 15 Blue Devils have given Jon Scheyer a 9-2 record as a head coach (1-0 in ACC play).

RELATED: Blue Devils Threatening Program Record on Defense

Duke hosts the unranked Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks (3-6, 0-0 Mid-Eastern) at 5:30 p.m. ET Saturday (ACCN) in its final non-conference game of the regular season.

STREAM: fuboTV (start your free trial)

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com for daily Duke basketball content.

Published
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.

Home/Basketball