Duke legend to be enshrined in 2010 College Basketball Hall of Fame class
Christian Laettner headlines a list of eight individuals set to be enshrined in the College Basketball Hall of Fame’s 2010 class as announced this week. The 1992 Duke graduate becomes the fifth person with Duke ties to enter the Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame, joining Vic Bubas, Lefty Driesell, Dick Groat and Coach K. The 2010 induction ceremony will be held on Nov. 21 at the College Basketball Experience and the Midland Theatre in Kansas City, MO. Laettner is joined in the 2010 class by Wayne Duke (contributor), Tom Jernstedt (contributor), David Thompson (N.C. State), Jerry West (West Virginia), Davey Whitney (coach), Sidney Wicks (UCLA) and Tex Winter (coach).
Arguably the greatest NCAA Tournament performer in history, Laettner led Duke to the Final Four all four years of his Duke career, including NCAA titles in 1991 and 1992. The Duke jersey retiree was named 1992 National Player of the Year and his 2,460 points and 1,149 rebounds rank third in school history. His many other accolades include three All-America selections, and the New York native was also a Final Four MVP, two-time ACC Athlete of the Year, three-time All-ACC, ACC Player of the Year, ACC Tournament MVP, and NCAA Tournament Regional MVP.
The third pick of the 1992 draft played 13 seasons in the NBA with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons, Dallas Mavericks, Washington Wizards and Miami Heat. He was also a member of the Dream Team that went on to win the gold medal in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
Around four months before winning gold, Laettner capped off an epic NCAA Tournament career with an NCAA title his senior year. He remains the NCAA Tournament’s all-time leader in points and games played, and no has ever played better on college basketball’s biggest stage.
Christian’s Top NCAA Tournament Games
1. 1992 Regional Final: Duke vs. Kentucky (31 pts, 7 rebs, 10-10 FG, 10-10 FT)… In the greatest college game ever, Christian never missed a shot and hit THE SHOT to propel Duke to the Final Four his senior year, 104-103 in overtime.
2. 1991 National Semifinal: Duke vs. UNLV (28 points, 7 rebs, 9-14 FG, 9-11 FT)… No one gave Duke a chance against defending champion and undefeated UNLV, but the Blue Devils showed up ready to play. Christian led the way for Duke with 28 points as the Blue Devils won 79-77, advancing to the NCAA title game (where they eventually won the first national title in school history).
3. 1990 Regional Final: Duke vs. Connecticut (23 pts, 5 rebs, 7-8 FG, 9-11 FG)… Christian pushed Duke past UConn and capped a 23-point outing with a buzzer-beater that gave the Devils a 79-78 victory in OT.
4. 1989 Regional Final: Duke vs. Georgetown (24 pts, 9 rebs, 9-10 FG, 6-7 FT)… Undaunted by Georgetown star Alonzo Mourning, Christian announced his presence on the Big Dance scene by scoring 24 points and hauling in nine boards as a freshman. Duke won 85-77 to advance to the Final Four.
5. 1991 Regional Final: Duke vs. St. John’s (19 points, 5 rebs, 5-6 FG, 9-9 FT)… Christian owned the Elite Eight, leading Duke to a 4-0 record while averaging 24.3 PPG. During his junior year, Laettner scored 19 points and grabbed five boards as Duke rumbled past St. John’s, 78-61.
Five More to Remember…
6. 1990 Sweet 16: Duke vs. UCLA (24 pts, 14 rebs, 8-12 FG, 8-8 FT)… Duke wins 90-81.
7. 1990 National Semifinal: Duke vs. Arkansas (19 points, 14 rebs, 5-7 FG, 9-12 FT)… Duke wins 97-83.
8. 1991 National Championship Game: Duke vs. Kansas (18 pts, 10 rebs, 3-8 FG, 12-12 FT)… Duke wins 72-65.
9. 1992 National Championship Game: Duke vs. Michigan (19 pts, 7 rebs, 6-13 FG, 5-6 FT)… Duke wins 71-51.
10. 1991 Sweet 16: Duke vs. Connecticut (19 pts, 4 rebs, 7-13 FG, 5-7 FT)… Duke wins 81-67.
DID YOU KNOW? In his four Elite Eight games, Christian was 31-for-34 (.912) from the floor and 34-for-37 from the foul line (.918). Two of his 34 field goals were buzzer-beaters where Duke trailed and the season was on the line. You probably remember this one and will be reminded of it again in a few weeks…
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