These rankings are based heavily on the individual success of the player. Team success is considered but play a small role in these rankings. Without further ado, lets get into the rankings.
- Zion Williamson
Zion Williamson had one of the most dominant seasons in college basketball history. Williamson was the winner of the 2019 National Player of the Year and there was never any doubt. From wire to wire, he was far and away the most dominant player in college basketball. He became the first Freshman in ACC history to win ACC Player of the Year and be named ACC Tournament MVP. He was named to the ACC All-Defensive Team and was a national finalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year. The dominance mixed with the flair made his season one of the most memorable in college basketball history.
2. RJ Barrett
Despite being a consensus first-team All-American, Barrett’s season remains underrated. The reason for this is due to playing under the massive shadow that was Zion’s historic season. While Zion stole most of the highlights and attention, Barrett was quietly and simultaneously putting together one of the most dominant years from any Freshman in ACC history in his own right. Barrett was the winner of the Jerry West award for best shooting guard in the nation. He matched Zion’s exact points per game total at 22.6 ppg. He scored 860 points, the 2nd most in one season by a Duke player in history, trailing only the legend JJ Redick’s Senior Year. Barrett was dominant and had it not been for the fact he was teammates with Zion Williamson his season would be viewed in an entirely different light. He was special.
3. Marvin Bagley
Bagley had one of the most prolific seasons in not only Duke history, but in the history of the ACC. He became just the third player to lead the conference in scoring, rebounding, and shooting percentage in a single season. Bagley was also a consensus first team All-American. He was the 2nd player in ACC history to win Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year in the same season. Bagley made plays very few players in the history of Duke could make and had an uncanny ability to grab offensive rebounds and finish around the rim. He was a walking highlight film and put the team on his back on several occasions.
4. Jahlil Okafor
The first National Champion on the list, Okafor was unstoppable in his one season at Duke. Okafor was a unanimous first team All-American. He finished second nationally and first in the ACC in field goal percentage at .664 while leading Duke in scoring with 17.3 points per game. He demanded a double team due to his dominant low post scoring ability and was very skilled at passing out of the double team to an open teammate. If left with one on one coverage, his array of post moves left countless defenders puzzled. He also broke the mold and became the first Freshman to win ACC Player of the Year. Okafor was incredible at Duke, and it speaks to how impressive the talent at Duke has been that he is just 4th on the list.
5. Jabari Parker
Jabari Parker’s season at Duke will forever have a massive black eye associated with it as the season ended with the worst loss in Duke history. However, he played on a deeply flawed team in that there was virtually no size or post presence. There is no excuse for how that season ended. But it does not take away from how great Parker was individually during the season. He finished as a First-Team All American. He was also on the 1st team All-ACC team. The numbers he put up were incredible. He was not far off from averaging 20 and 10 a night, finishing the season at 19.1 ppg and 8.7 rpg. He led the team in scoring, rebounding, and was 2nd in field goal percentage, and this was despite spending a lot of time playing outside of his natural position to compensate for the lack of size on the team. This year will always ultimately be remembered for the massively disappointing ending, but Jabari Parker was truly dominant.
***Amending this list to include a 6th: Tyus Jones.***
It simply felt too wrong to not include Tyus Jones. The way he took over in the biggest moments was something to behold. The poise he played with is rarely seen in any player, let alone a Freshman. Jones led Duke in both assists and steals and was 2nd in the ACC in assists. He earned Final Four Most Outstanding Player and was also the NCAA South Regional All-Tournament Most Outstanding player. He was named to the All-ACC Third Team. While he does not have quite the individual accolades as those ranked above him, there is no mistaking how valuable Jones was during his Freshman season.