By: Ben McCormick
October 21, 2022
The Blue Devils netted 25 former players on opening day NBA rosters this season, the second most of any college, behind on Kentucky (27 players). Per @DukeMBBStats on Twitter, this total was just one shy of the program record in 2020 of 26 players. Their account also points out that the 25 former Blue Devils make up 30% of former ACC players in the league and 5% of the total NBA.
All-Stars Jayson Tatum, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, and Kyrie Irving highlight the Blue Devils in the league. They are joined by returning players Jalen Johnson, Tre Jones, Vernon Carey Jr., RJ Barrett, Cam Reddish, Marvin Bagley III, Wendell Carter Jr., Grayson Allen, Gary Trent Jr., Luke Kennard, Justise Winslow, Tyus Jones, Seth Curry, Mason Plumlee, and Austin Rivers. There are also six rookies making their debuts: Paolo Banchero, Mark Williams, AJ Griffin, Wendell Moore Jr., Trevor Keels, and Jack White.
Coming off his first NBA Finals appearance last June, Jayson Tatum was the first Blue Devil to play their opener Tuesday night. Tatum put up a stout 35 points and 12 rebounds as he and teammate Jaylen Brown (who also scored 35 points) led Boston to a win over Philadelphia.
Wednesday was packed full of action as 22 teams played their season opener, including 15 Blue Devils.
Paolo Banchero, the number one pick in the 2022 NBA Draft made his league debut Wenesday for the Magic. The 6'10 forward was quick to make an impression as he scored the first points of the game and went on to score 27 points coupled with 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Per a tweet from the NBA, this was the first time a rookie had put up 25+ points, 5+ rebounds, and 5+ assists in their debut since LeBron James. Banchero was also just the third number one overall pick ever to put up these numbers. The other two were LeBron and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Banchero's impressive performance included a monster poster dunk as well. Despite his eye opening debut, the Magic fell short to Detroit 113-109.
Two more notable performances came in New Orleans' 130-108 win over Brooklyn as Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson led the Pelicans to victory. Ingram led the Pelicans in scoring with 28 points to go along with 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Former 2019 number one pick Zion Williamson played in his first regular season game since the 2020-2021 season after missing the entirety of last season due to injury. Williamson put up 25 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 steals in his first game back in just 30 minutes, looking like he never missed a beat.
Kyrie Irving posted 15 points for the opposing Brooklyn Nets, meanwhile Seth Curry missed the game for Brooklyn due to injury.
Cam Reddish was brilliant in the Knicks' opener vs. Memphis. The fourth year wing scored 22 points to go along with 5 rebounds and 3 steals, including a three to send the game into overtime. Knicks teammate and former Duke teammate of Reddish's, RJ Barrett, put up 11 points and pulled down 8 boards as well.
Still their efforts were not enough as Memphis came out with the win in overtime, in part thanks to a late three by Tyus Jones to give the Grizzlies the 115-112 lead and eventual win. The former Final Four MOP, Jones scored 15 points for Memphis in the win.
In Toronto's 108-105 win over Cleveland, Gary Trent Jr. scored 19 points. The fifth year guard averaged 18.3 PPG in 2021-2022.
Rookie Mark Williams was the only other Blue Devil to make his career debut besides Banchero (Griffin, Moore, Keels, and White received coaches decision DNP's). Playing just four minutes, Williams got his first two NBA points.
On Thursday, the Bucks and Clippers were the last two teams to play their season openers. Both teams won, and Blue Devils Grayson Allen (Milwaukee) and Luke Kennard (LA Clippers) both scored in double figures. Allen scored 12 points for the Bucks and Kennard 11 points for the Clippers.
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