Blue Devil Country

Two Duke Basketball Alums Secure First Wins in Head Coach Role

Duke basketball products Antonio Lang and Dahntay Jones are roaming the sidelines in Las Vegas.

Matt Giles

Two Duke Basketball Alums Secure First Wins in Head Coach Role
Two Duke Basketball Alums Secure First Wins in Head Coach Role /
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Former Duke basketball players Antonio Lang and Dahntay Jones, each a key contributor on several top-shelf Blue Devil squads decades ago, are at the Las Vegas Summer League as head coaches for the week.

Lang, a two-time national champion (1991, 1992) in college and former six-year NBA journeyman reserve, leads the Atlanta Hawks bench. The 51-year-old's roster includes 2021-22 Duke one-and-done forward AJ Griffin, a rookie last season under Atlanta's current full-time head coach in former Blue Devil guard and assistant Quin Snyder.

RELATED: List of Every Blue Devil Currently in the NBA

As for Jones, one of the Blue Devils' all-time dunkers and fierce competitors from the early 2000s who went on to play 13 seasons in the NBA and help the Cleveland Cavaliers become the 2016 champs, the 42-year-old holds the reins for the Los Angeles Clippers. No former Blue Devils are on their Summer League squad.

Again, it's only Summer League, where wins and losses are each quickly forgotten.

Nevertheless, even if only for a few weeks, to be entrusted with fulfilling the duties of a head coach, particularly in developing and testing young talents, sure comes across as a sign of respect from the franchises that employ Lang and Jones as assistants.

On that note, wins while on a job never hurt any résumé. Antonio Lang and Dahntay Jones each picked up their first on the second attempt in Las Vegas.

Lang's Hawks (1-1) defeated the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night, 98-93, getting six points, three rebounds, and three assists from Griffin in his 19 minutes as a starter. Their next outing is at 4 p.m. ET Wednesday (ESPN2) against the Minnesota Timberwolves (two Blue Devils are on their roster in Theo John and Wendell Moore).

RELATED: Cassius Stanley Makes Minutes Count for Nuggets

Jones' Clippers (1-1) recorded an 80-70 victory against the Sacramento Kings on Monday night. They return to action at 3:30 p.m. ET Wednesday (NBA TV) against the Memphis Grizzlies (former Duke basketball two-and-done Matthew Hurt is on their roster).

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com for daily doses of 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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