Duke Basketball Legend Names His All-Time Blue Devil Starting Lineup

There's no one more qualified than Grant Hill to judge Duke basketball greats.

Duke basketball legend Grant Hill (Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports)

One of Duke basketball's all-time NBA talents, Grant Hill, drafted No. 3 overall by the Detroit Pistons in 1994 following his decorated college career under head coach Mike Krzyzewski, recently appeared on The Brotherhood Podcast, hosted by Blue Devil grad center Ryan Young.

During their insightfully entertaining 70-minute chat, the 23-year-old Young asked the 51-year-old Hill to name his all-time Duke basketball starting lineup. Unsurprisingly, the program's humble legend did not include himself, although there's no doubt he deserves a spot on the list.

Hill revealed his five with praises and touches of humor:

Johnny Dawkins (1982-86)

"I think you have to start with Johnny Dawkins. He was the first big recruit, set off the Coach K era, and got guys going."

Christian Laettner (1988-92)

"Christian Laettner was as good and as accomplished as anyone; I mean, in every big game, he brought it and dominated."

Shane Battier (1997-01)

"I'll put Battier up there just because I recruited him — he lived in Detroit, so I was in his ear. He was actually a volunteer helper with the Pistons. So, I knew Shane when he was a freshman in high school. And to watch him become a great player in his whole career, he was great — spectacular — during his time."

JJ Redick (2002-06)

"I'll throw JJ Redick just because he has a podcast, and I don't want him talking about me. He gets sensitive about that kind of stuff."

Jay Williams (1999-02)

"And then I'll say, Jay Williams," Hill told Young before seemingly realizing he also needed a more recent group for the younger viewers. "Now, that's one era. So, that's my five from the old-school guys.

"I think, current day, Tatum, Zion, I'll put Paolo out there, Kyrie, Bagley."

Who would win a game between Hill's old-school guys and the one-and-done Blue Devils he recognized in Jayson Tatum, Zion Williamson, Paolo Banchero, Kyrie Irving, and Marvin Bagley III?

"Oh, the old-school guys," Hill confidently responded to Young. "Old age and treachery always prevail."

Thoughts on @realgranthill33's all-time Duke starting 5s?#TheBrotherhoodPod pic.twitter.com/hXHre0XGyM

— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) October 5, 2023

Grant Hill, whose No. 33 forever hangs from the rafters in Cameron Indoor Stadium, starred for four seasons in Durham.

In his first two years, he was critical to back-to-back national champions. After losing in the Round of 32 as a junior, he led the 1993-94 Duke basketball squad to the title game in Charlotte as a senior, but those Blue Devils came up short in the final minute against Arkansas.

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