Latest news with #CoachK
Associated Press
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Duke walk-on Stanley Borden, last player in college to have played for Coach K, transfers to UTSA
Stanley Borden, the final basketball player still in college to have played for Mike Krzyzewski, has announced he is transferring to UTSA from Duke. The 7-foot Borden was a walk-on for the Blue Devils, joining the team in 2021 — the last of the Hall of Fame coach's career. He stayed for four years and despite not getting on the court much at all, he had fond memories of his time under Coach K. 'Everything that everyone has heard or said in terms of aura and energy is all there,' Borden said Thursday in a phone interview from Istanbul, where his family lives. 'He jokes a lot and cusses a lot and you never knew if he was joking or being serious. Learning from the best as an 18- or 19-year-old at the end of his career was something I'll never forget.' Borden had one year of eligibility left after he didn't play his junior year because of injuries to his elbow in the preseason and a finger that needed to be re-attached after a weight room accident. He wanted to find a school that he could play at in his final season of college basketball so he entered the portal. 'I was talking to a bunch of schools late in the process and many of them were starting their summer workouts right now,' said Borden, who had a few dozen schools interested in him. 'There's opportunity to compete for time and also develop. They want to help you get better and make you a better player.' He played in three games for the Blue Devils this past season, grabbing a rebound and blocking a shot. He's still looking for his first points in college, having played in five games total during his career at Duke. Still, he learned a lot in his time at the school where he earned a degree in computer science and played with some of the best players in the country at practice every day. 'Being around Dereck Lively II, Paolo Banchero, Cooper Flag as well as other great college players made me immensely better,' Borden said. Despite not playing, Borden was a glue guy on the team and fan favorite. He made a name for himself as a sophomore when he wowed the Cameron Crazies during their midnight madness-type event. He walked onto the stage in sunglasses and a trench coat which he opened to reveal a saxophone. Borden borrowed the instrument, which he learned to play when he was younger, from the marching band. He put on a show much to the delight of the crowd and his teammates. The performance went viral. Borden said he didn't know if UTSA had any kind of opening event to start basketball season, but he'd be happy to come up with another musical number if the school did. ___ AP college basketball:
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Paolo Banchero looks back on Mike Krzyzewski's impact on his growth as a player: "I didn't really understand it at the time"
Paolo Banchero is arguably one of the NBA's best rising stars. But his evolution as a player would not have been possible without Duke University head coach Mike Krzyzewski. Although he had a short stint with the Blue Devils, Coach K showered the 2022 ACC Rookie of the Year with lessons he initially couldn't understand. Only when he set foot in the pros did he realize what Krzyzewski was preaching. Advertisement "He always stressed, especially to me, was having a strong presence and a strong face. As an 18-year-old going into college, I didn't really understand it at the time," Banchero said on The Pivot Podcast. "Ever since kind of I've left, I've seen exactly what he means and exactly what he was talking about. You don't want to show weakness. You don't want to show any of that because you are being looked at as an investment." Coach K's impact The 6-foot-10 Orlando Magic star has a rare combination of size, skills, and basketball IQ. At his height, he can handle the ball as a guard and shoot it from anywhere on the court. Still, his mature approach to the game might be even more impressive. And according to Banchero, Krzyzewski deserves all the credit for it. Advertisement "He knew I wanted to be a star in the NBA. So I think he was preparing me for what comes with that and how I would have to handle myself," the 22-year-old stated. "Without him, I don't know if I would have understood that. I don't know if I would have had the maturity that I do now." Magic future looking bright Three seasons into his NBA career, Banchero's numbers — 22.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 198 regular season games — show he is meant for (super)stardom. Unlike other players they drafted in the past, he is someone who could lead the team to success. Luckily for the Magic, Banchero is dialed in and ready to repay the organization's trust from day one — the Magic drafted him even though he couldn't visit Orlando for the pre-draft process. Advertisement "We didn't meet, I didn't work out, but they just believed in me that much," the one-time All-Star shared. Banchero only has one goal: to deliver the club's first NBA championship. So far, the Magic has been to two NBA finals, in 1995 and 2009. Shaquille O'Neal led the team to its first Finals appearance, while Dwight Howard did the same in 2009. Could Banchero be next? Talented as he may be, the Duke product can't do it alone. And while guys like Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs and Moritz Wagner are talented, the 2025 playoffs have shown that he'll need more help to make a deep postseason run — the Magic were eliminated by the Boston Celtics in the first round. Advertisement Among the areas that the Magic need to improve is their long range shooting. They finished the season with the league's lowest 3-point shooting percentage (31.8), per ESPN. They also need someone to help distribute the ball better after finishing last in the league in assists, 23.0 per game. The good news for Magic management is that they don't need a high-priced star to fill those gaps. A good point guard and a reliable 3-point shooter should do the trick, especially if Banchero continues his rise toward NBA superstardom. Related: Banchero shares the pressure of being the top pick in the NBA Draft: "I've got to come in and be that guy from day one"
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fans Buzzing Over Coach K's Strong Cooper Flagg Message
The 2025 NBA draft lottery has come and gone. Duke Blue Devils standout Cooper Flagg seems likely to head to the Dallas mavericks, who won the No. 1 overall pick despite only having a 1.8% chance of doing so entering the lottery. Nico Harrison and the Mavericks have been given the ultimate gift. After trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers before the deadline, they now have a chance to bring in another potential generational talent. Advertisement Flagg put together a strong freshman season at Duke during the 2024-25 college basketball season. He led the team to the Final Four and averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.4 steals per game. With that being said, the legendary Coach K, Mike Krzyzewski spoke out about Flagg during an appearance talking with Colin Cowherd.. He sent a bold message about the Blue Devils star before the upcoming NBA draft in June. "I knew he was special, because [he] had so much talent," Krzyzewski said. "I didn't realize how special he really is. This kid plays every play hard... Cooper is just unique, you know. He's so strong. His legs are so strong and athletically he's gifted. When you add his athletic ability and his competitive attitude, you have a very special guy." Fans have taken to the comments section. Coach K's message about Flagg has people buzzing. Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2)Bob Donnan-Imagn Images "Every once in a while, you get a player and you just have to let them cook," one fan wrote. Advertisement Another fan chimed in, "Fascinating discussion with, the Goat. Would love to see much more of Coach K on the show ongoing." "Coach K and Nick Saban should be involved in NIL decisions and policies," another fan commented. A fourth comment about Coach K read, "Legend." Getting this kind of praise from a legendary head coach like Krzyzewski is eye-opening. Now, Flagg will need to prove the hype to be right at the NBA level. Related: Insider Hints Mavericks' Draft Decision is Out of GM Nico Harrison's Hands
USA Today
06-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Duke basketball legend Mike Krzyzewski inducted into US Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame
Duke basketball legend Mike Krzyzewski inducted into US Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame Every Duke Blue Devils men's basketball fan knows the legacy of Mike Krzyzewski in Durham. 'Coach K' spent more than four decades in Durham, winning five national championships and 15 ACC Tournament titles while reaching the Final Four 13 times. He won 1,129 games with the Blue Devils from 1980-2022, and he took Duke to the Final Four in his final season before handing the reins to current coach Jon Scheyer. Cameron Indoor Stadium wasn't the only place Krzyzewski left his mark, however. The longtime Duke coach led the United States men's basketball team to a gold medal at three consecutive Olympic Games from 2008-16, and he was inducted into the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame for that resume on Tuesday. Coach K won gold in Beijing, London, and Rio de Janeiro while coaching NBA legends like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, and former Blue Devil Kyrie Irving. Krzyzewski finished his tenure as the U.S. coach with a 24-0 record, winning two of his three gold-medal games by at least 10 points.
Washington Post
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Serena, Allyson Felix, Coach K among US Olympic Paralympic 2025 HoF class
Serena, Allyson Felix, Coach K among US Olympic Paralympic 2025 HoF class Seven-time gold-medal sprinter Allyson Felix, four-time Olympic tennis champion Serena Williams and Mike Krzyzewski, who coached the U.S. to three basketball gold medals, are part of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee Hall of Fame's class of 2025 May 6, 2025 at 12:54 p.m. EDT 42 minutes ago
