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While Duke is one of the most well-known schools when it comes to producing NBA talent, the university doesn't necessarily have a history of producing defensive stoppers. For that reason, only one former Blue Devil was featured on Bleacher Report's recent list, which ranked the 99 best defenders in NBA history.
A four-year Blue Devil, Battier averaged a whopping 2.1 steals and 2.3 blocks in his senior season at Duke, earning an NCAA championship. In the NBA, it was more of the same for Battier, who finished top-five in Defensive Player of the Year award voting three times throughout his career. Battier also made two All-Defensive second teams and was a vital defensive component in two NBA championships with the Miami Heat. At his NBA peak, the former Memphis Grizzlies forward averaged over one block and one steal per game and was even labeled as one of the toughest defenders to face by the late Kobe Bryant.
This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: One Duke alum named among the best defenders in NBA history
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No. 58 Shane Battier
A four-year Blue Devil, Battier averaged a whopping 2.1 steals and 2.3 blocks in his senior season at Duke, earning an NCAA championship. In the NBA, it was more of the same for Battier, who finished top-five in Defensive Player of the Year award voting three times throughout his career. Battier also made two All-Defensive second teams and was a vital defensive component in two NBA championships with the Miami Heat. At his NBA peak, the former Memphis Grizzlies forward averaged over one block and one steal per game and was even labeled as one of the toughest defenders to face by the late Kobe Bryant.
This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: One Duke alum named among the best defenders in NBA history
Continue reading...
