Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball Treasure Ready for 'Celebrity Jeopardy!'

Duke basketball national champ Shane Battier will put his brain on display.

Matt Giles

Duke basketball's Shane Battier and Mike Krzyzewski (Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports)
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Arguably the brightest star in Duke basketball history, Shane Battier is "fulfilling a lifelong dream" — in the process, making the Blue Devils proud — as the 45-year-old will be on Celebrity Jeopardy! at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday on ABC.

It's a first-round matchup (18 contestants in the field) with a chance to advance to the semifinals; the tournament airs throughout the fall (at the same time each week). Battier's first opponents are actor and writer Steven Weber and actress and director Melissa Fumero.

The former lottery pick, a 2001 national champion as a Blue Devil senior captain who won back-to-back NBA titles with the Miami Heat and once earned the "all-time No. 1 smartest teammate" tag from LeBron James, advertised the appearance on social media earlier this week:

And Duke basketball's account noticed, spreading the word as must-see TV for Blue Devil faithful:

Battier is playing for his charity, The Battier Take Charge Foundation, which "helps promising young people take charge of their lives and reach their greatest potential through college scholarships, mentorship, networking, and leadership training."

As a four-year starter under now-retired Duke basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski, Battier was a three-time NABC Defensive Player of the Year and the 2001 Naismith Player of the Year on his way to seeing his No. 31 end up as one of the program's now-13 retired jerseys.

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There's no better ambassador for "The Brotherhood" than Shane Battier, who returns to campus regularly. Undoubtedly, there's no better candidate in that group to win Jeopardy!

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Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com for more 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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