Latest news with #CoachK
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
USA Today
31-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
When is the last time all Final Four Teams were No. 1 seeds? Auburn finishes first sweep since 2008
When is the last time all Final Four Teams were No. 1 seeds? Auburn finishes first sweep since 2008 Show Caption Hide Caption Jon Scheyer to uphold Coach K's legacy with Duke's Final Four berth Jon Scheyer isn't worried about the pressure of coaching Duke after Coach K, he's looking to build on his legacy. They are who we thought they were. The four No. 1 seeds in the 2025 NCAA men's tournament have turned out to be the four left standing. No. 1 overall seed Auburn joined Duke, Houston and Florida in the Final Four with a win over Michigan State Sunday. It's the first time since 2008 that all four No. 1 seeds will make up the Final Four and just the second time ever. Coincidentally, that Final Four of 17 years ago was also played in San Antonio, Texas, as it will be this season. The Gators opened the Elite Eight round by making a miraculous comeback with an 84-79 win against No. 3 Texas Tech on Saturday. The Blue Devils knocked out No. 2 Alabama in the nightcap 85-65. On Sunday, the Cougars cruised to an easy 69-50 victory over another No. 2 seed in Tennessee. The top-overall seeded Tigers knocked out No. 3 remaining, Michigan State, 70-64, in the second game of a doubleheader on Sunday. The Final Four starts on Saturday, April 5, with a matchup between two SEC foes in Florida and Auburn. A matchup between Duke and Houston will follow that. Here's what you need to know about the historic Final Four and the last time four No. 1 teams qualified for the Final Four: When is the last time the Final Four featured four No. 1 seeds? The 2008 NCAA Tournament was the first all four No. 1 seeds qualified for the Final Four North Carolina was the No. 1 overall seed, while Kansas, Memphis and UCLA also earned No. 1 seeds. The Tar Heels (ACC), Jayhawks (Big 12), Memphis (Conference USA) and UCLA (Pac-10) all won their respective conferences. UNC swept through the East Regional with wins over No. 16 Mount St. Mary's (113-74), No. 9 Arkansas (108-77), No. 4 Washington State (68-47) and No. 3 Louisville (83-73) to reach the Final Four. In the Midwest Regional, Kansas defeated No. 16 Portland State (85-61), No. 8 UNLV (75-56), No. 12 Villanova (72-57) and No. 10 Davidson (59-57). UCLA beat No. 16 Mississippi State Valley (70-29), No. 9 Texas A&M (51-49), No. 12 Western Kentucky (88-78) and No. 3 Xavier (76-57) in the West Regional. Memphis defeated No. 16 Texas-Arlington (87-63), No. 8 Mississippi State (77-74), No. 5 Michigan State (92-74) and No. 2 Texas (85-67) in the South Regional. However, the Tigers had all of their wins vacated due to the investigation of Derrick Rose and his eligibility. In the Final Four at the Alamodome, Kansas knocked off North Carolina 84-66, while Memphis disposed of UCLA 78-63 for both teams to advance to the championship. In the national title game, the Jayhawks, led by Mario Chalmers, beat Memphis 75-68 in overtime. Who's in the 2025 Final Four? For just the second time in tournament history, the 2025 Final Four will feature four No. 1 seeds. Auburn, the top seed in the Big Dance this season, was the final team to qualify for the Final Four with a 70-64 win over Michigan State. The Tigers also had wins over No. 16 Alabama State (83-63), No. 9 Creighton (82-70) and No. 5 Michigan (78-65). Duke has been the most dominant team during the tournament, with victories over No. 16 Mount St. Mary's (93-49), No. 9 Baylor (89-66), No. 4 Arizona (100-93) and No. 2 Alabama (85-65). Houston defeated No. 16 SIU Edwardsville (78-40), No. 8 Gonzaga (81-76), No. 4 Purdue (62-60) and No. 2 Tennessee (69-50). Meanwhile, Florida has had the bumpiest ride, needing two late comeback victories. The Gators defeated No. 16 Norfolk State (95-69), No. 8 UConn (77-75), No. 4 Maryland (87-71) and No. 3 Texas Tech (84-79). No. 1 Auburn (South) No. 1 Duke (East) No. 1 Houston (Midwest) No. 1 Florida (West) Final Four schedule Saturday, April 5
