When Grant Hill speaks, Duke fans listen. And when one of the most beloved Blue Devils of all time decides to stir the pot with an all-time Duke starting five, you can bet the basketball world stops for a minute. After all, this isn’t just any former player making a list — this is Grant Hill, the man who defined Duke excellence in the early ‘90s, a two-time NCAA champion, a Hall of Famer, and one of the most respected voices in the game.
Recently, Hill sat down to discuss which players he’d include on his all-time Duke dream team. But instead of creating one single lineup, he did something even better — he split his picks into two eras: the old-school legends who built Duke’s dynasty under Coach K, and the modern stars who carried that torch into the NBA era of superstardom. And as you might expect, the debate that followed was nothing short of electrifying.
The Mind Behind the Magic
Grant Hill isn’t just another Duke alum reminiscing about glory days. He is part of the program’s golden legacy. A versatile forward who could score, pass, and defend with equal brilliance, Hill was the ultimate embodiment of Coach Mike Krzyzewski’s philosophy — teamwork, discipline, and unshakable composure. His rise helped redefine Duke basketball, inspiring a new generation of recruits and fans alike.
So when he speaks about Duke greatness, his words carry the weight of experience and legacy. But in classic Grant Hill fashion, he didn’t put himself in the lineup.
“First of all, I’m not on my starting five. I’m a fan here,” Hill laughed.
That humility has always defined Hill — a superstar without ego, a legend who’d rather celebrate others than take the spotlight.
The Old-School Dynasty
Hill’s “old school” Duke starting five reads like a Hall of Fame roll call — names that defined college basketball for decades and etched Duke’s name permanently into history.
Here’s who made the cut:
Johnny Dawkins — “You have to start with Johnny,” Hill said. “He was the first big recruit that kind of set things off for Coach K’s era.” Dawkins was the cornerstone, the trailblazer who gave Duke its first true taste of national relevance. His skill, leadership, and swagger made him the original symbol of Duke dominance.
Christian Laettner — The man who never shied away from big moments. “Laettner is as good and as accomplished as any. Every big game, he brought it and dominated,” Hill said. Laettner remains one of the most polarizing yet undeniably successful college players ever — a symbol of both Duke’s brilliance and its swaggering confidence.
Shane Battier — The “glue guy” every coach dreams of, and the very soul of Duke basketball. Hill’s connection to Battier is personal — he helped recruit him from Detroit, long before Battier became a national champion and a two-time NBA title winner. “I recruited him,” Hill smiled, “he lived in Detroit, so I was in his ear.”
J.J. Redick — Duke’s all-time sharpshooter and now one of the most outspoken basketball analysts today. Hill jokingly said, “I’ll throw J.J. in just because he has a podcast, and I don’t want him talking about me.” Redick was not just a scorer — he was a cultural phenomenon at Duke, a player who thrived under the pressure of hostile crowds and the weight of expectations.
Jay Williams — The perfect floor general. Williams was explosive, fearless, and cerebral — a player who could take over games and inspire teammates with his relentless energy. Rounding out the old-school five, Williams represents the best of Duke’s early 2000s dominance.
Put those five together, and you have a lineup built on heart, grit, leadership, and pure winning DNA.
The Modern Marvels
Of course, Hill couldn’t end his list there. The modern Duke era has produced some of the brightest stars in basketball today — players who have redefined the sport at both the college and professional levels.
Hill’s “modern” starting five looks like a highlight reel of today’s NBA talent:
Jayson Tatum — The face of the Boston Celtics and one of the best two-way forwards in the game. Tatum’s poise, polish, and shot-making ability scream Duke excellence.
Zion Williamson — The human highlight machine. Few players have ever captivated college basketball the way Zion did during his short stint at Duke. His power, agility, and charisma made him an instant legend.
Paolo Banchero — The 2023 NBA Rookie of the Year and the latest example of Duke’s elite player development pipeline. His blend of size, skill, and playmaking puts him in rare company for his age.
Kyrie Irving — Even though his time at Duke was brief, his impact was unforgettable. Kyrie’s artistry with the ball is unmatched — a magician with handles who redefined guard play in the modern era.
Marvin Bagley III — A double-double machine during his Duke days, Bagley showcased the kind of versatility that’s now common among modern bigs. He rounds out a group full of athleticism, flair, and pure offensive brilliance.
Old School vs. New School — Hill Makes His Choice
When asked which team he thought would win if his two starting fives faced off in a dream matchup, Hill didn’t hesitate.
“I’ll take the old school guys,” he said confidently.
It’s a bold choice, but one that speaks to something deeper — the foundation that made Duke what it is today. The old-school era wasn’t just about talent. It was about identity, toughness, and setting the standard. The modern group might have more NBA stardom, but the pioneers built the culture every Blue Devil since has benefited from.
And that’s the beauty of Hill’s list. It’s not just about basketball. It’s about evolution — how Duke went from an ambitious program under Coach K to a global brand that continues to produce legends.
The Legacy That Never Ends
Across decades, one truth remains: Duke basketball doesn’t just create great players — it creates icons. From Dawkins to Laettner, from Hill to Tatum, every generation of Blue Devils has added a new chapter to a story that never seems to stop growing.
Hill’s list might spark debate — and it should. Fans will argue, compare, and defend their favorites passionately, because Duke isn’t just a basketball program. It’s a brotherhood. A tradition. A way of life.
And in that brotherhood, whether old or new, one thing remains eternal: excellence.
As Grant Hill reminded everyone, “I’m not picking myself. I’m just a fan here.”
But make no mistake — every Duke fan knows, in their heart, that Grant Hill’s fingerprints are all over the greatness he celebrates.
