Duke basketball has an illustrious history with quite a few college and future NBA stars coming through the program. Of all those big names, however, only 13 have seen their jerseys retired at Duke.
Duke basketball has an illustrious history with quite a few college and future NBA stars coming through the program. Of all those big names, however, only 13 have seen their jerseys retired at Duke.
It’s been more than 20 years since the last jersey retirement in Durham — Jason Williams’ No. 22 in 2003 — and there’s no sign of another Blue Devil being initiated into that fraternity anytime soon. However, it is apparently something that coach Jon Scheyer had pondered.
Asked about the recent lack of jersey retirements at Duke, Scheyer conceded that the bar is high for prospective retirements with so many star players coming through the program over the years.
“I think it’s the most difficult place to get your number or your jersey retired, right? I mean, you have to be a some type of National Player of the Year Award winner or break — Bobby Hurley broke the all time assist record in the history of NCAA. And you have to graduate,” Scheyer said, per On3. “The reality of that happening in this day and age is slim to none.”
Duke basketball has an illustrious history with quite a few college and future NBA stars coming through the program. Of all those big names, however, only 13 have seen their jerseys retired at Duke.
It’s been more than 20 years since the last jersey retirement in Durham — Jason Williams’ No. 22 in 2003 — and there’s no sign of another Blue Devil being initiated into that fraternity anytime soon. However, it is apparently something that coach Jon Scheyer had pondered.
Asked about the recent lack of jersey retirements at Duke, Scheyer conceded that the bar is high for prospective retirements with so many star players coming through the program over the years.
“I think it’s the most difficult place to get your number or your jersey retired, right? I mean, you have to be a some type of National Player of the Year Award winner or break — Bobby Hurley broke the all time assist record in the history of NCAA. And you have to graduate,” Scheyer said, per On3. “The reality of that happening in this day and age is slim to none.”
Scheyer said retiring more jerseys is something for the program to consider, but he also wants to find a balance so that the meaning of a retired jersey isn’t devalued. He mentioned players like Zion Williamson, Cooper Flagg and Elton Brand as potential candidates in the future.
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“For us, I think it’s something we have to continue to evaluate, continue to look at where you don’t take away how special it is because some of these names with the guys that are out there, you want to make that a special thing,” Scheyer said. “But at the same time, give somebody an opportunit
Duke basketball has an illustrious history with quite a few college and future NBA stars coming through the program. Of all those big names, however, only 13 have seen their jerseys retired at Duke.
It’s been more than 20 years since the last jersey retirement in Durham — Jason Williams’ No. 22 in 2003 — and there’s no sign of another Blue Devil being initiated into that fraternity anytime soon. However, it is apparently something that coach Jon Scheyer had pondered.
Asked about the recent lack of jersey retirements at Duke, Scheyer conceded that the bar is high for prospective retirements with so many star players coming through the program over the years.
“I think it’s the most difficult place to get your number or your jersey retired, right? I mean, you have to be a some type of National Player of the Year Award winner or break — Bobby Hurley broke the all time assist record in the history of NCAA. And you have to graduate,” Scheyer said, per On3. “The reality of that happening in this day and age is slim to none.”
Scheyer said retiring more jerseys is something for the program to consider, but he also wants to find a balance so that the meaning of a retired jersey isn’t devalued. He mentioned players like Zion Williamson, Cooper Flagg and Elton Brand as potential candidates in the future.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle
“For us, I think it’s something we have to continue to evaluate, continue to look at where you don’t take away how special it is because some of these names with the guys that are out there, you want to make that a special thing,” Scheyer said. “But at the same time, give somebody an opportunity.
“It’s something we’ve talked about briefly. But at some point we have to take a deeper look because you want to make sure you’re honoring guys the right way when they come here. It’s clearly a different environment (now), clearly different circumstances. That’s something we’re going to have to look at.”
Only time will tell if the Blue Devils decide to bring back jersey retirements after a more than 20-year break, but it’s clearly something Scheyer is at least devoting some thought toward.
