**From Campus Kings to NBA Disappointments: Ranking the 13 Biggest Duke Draft Busts, from Shelden Williams to Jabari Parker**

Duke University has long been considered one of the premier basketball powerhouses in college hoops history. The Blue Devils, under the legendary leadership of Coach Mike Krzyzewski and now Jon Scheyer, have consistently produced elite talent that captivated the NCAA and excited NBA scouts. From dominating the ACC to cutting down nets during deep March Madness runs, Duke players are often viewed as near-locks to succeed at the next level. But as history has repeatedly shown, college success does not always translate into NBA stardom. For every Grant Hill or Kyrie Irving who went on to have a stellar NBA career, there are others whose pro journeys were marred by unmet expectations, injuries, or simply a failure to adapt to the league’s demands. This list delves into the 13 biggest Duke basketball busts in NBA history — players who once had immense promise but ultimately failed to make a lasting impact in the league.

Starting with Shelden Williams, the “Landlord” as he was affectionately known during his days at Duke, it’s hard not to begin the conversation about Duke busts without mentioning his name. Drafted 5th overall in the 2006 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks, Williams was a dominant force in college basketball, known for his defense, rebounding, and shot-blocking. However, his physical advantages at the college level didn’t translate well in the NBA. He struggled with quickness, lacked offensive polish, and was outmatched by more athletic and skilled bigs. Williams bounced around to multiple teams over a short NBA career and never lived up to his draft position or collegiate dominance.

Next on the list is William Avery, the lightning-quick guard who played alongside Elton Brand and Corey Maggette on the 1999 Duke team that went 37–2. Selected 14th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the same year, Avery had all the tools to be a solid NBA point guard — court vision, speed, and a smooth shot. But at just 19 years old, he was too raw and unpolished for the pro game. His decision to leave Duke early proved premature. Avery lasted only three unremarkable seasons in the league before his NBA career fizzled out completely.

Then there’s Trajan Langdon, famously dubbed the “Alaskan Assassin” for his deadly shooting stroke at Duke. A brilliant perimeter scorer in college, Langdon was drafted 11th overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1999. While he was one of the most prolific three-point shooters in Duke history, Langdon’s inability to defend and create his own shot at the NBA level made him a liability. After just three underwhelming seasons, he found greater success overseas, especially in Russia, than he ever did in the NBA.

Moving on, Josh McRoberts is a case of a highly touted recruit who showed flashes but never quite put it all together. A versatile big man with passing skills and decent athleticism, McRoberts was expected to be a hybrid forward who could stretch the floor and make plays. Drafted in the second round, his NBA career spanned more than a decade, which sounds like a success story, but his inability to rise beyond a bench contributor placed him well below expectations for someone with his college hype. His career was more about surviving than thriving.

Another example is Daniel Ewing, a key contributor during his time at Duke who was selected in the second round by the Los Angeles Clippers in 2005. Ewing was a talented combo guard, but he struggled to carve out a niche in the NBA. His limited size and lack of standout skills made him replaceable, and his stint in the league was brief, lasting just two seasons before he was relegated to playing overseas.

When considering underwhelming careers, one cannot overlook Shavlik Randolph. An elite high school prospect who played three seasons at Duke, Randolph was never able to dominate in college the way many predicted. After going undrafted, he managed to crack several NBA rosters and even played during multiple seasons, but he was never more than a marginal contributor. Injuries and inconsistent play made it clear that Randolph was not built for the long haul in the NBA.

Another cautionary tale is that of Nolan Smith, a dynamic guard who led Duke to a national title in 2010 and was named ACC Player of the Year in 2011. Drafted late in the first round by the Portland Trail Blazers, Smith came into the league with hopes of being a solid backup point guard. But whether it was due to a lack of explosiveness or difficulty adjusting to the speed and size of NBA guards, Smith failed to find his footing. He played just 84 games in two seasons before his NBA career came to an end.

Miles Plumlee also finds himself on this list, despite being a first-round pick in 2012. Drafted 26th overall by the Indiana Pacers, Plumlee surprised many by even being selected in the first round. While he did have a few moments — particularly a solid stretch with the Phoenix Suns — his overall career never came close to justifying his draft status. Inconsistency, limited offensive repertoire, and average rebounding made him a journeyman, one whose career was largely fueled by athletic potential that was never fully realized.

Another major disappointment was Cherokee Parks, selected 12th overall by the Dallas Mavericks in 1995. A big man with a soft shooting touch and solid college resume, Parks had size and pedigree, but never found a stable home or role in the NBA. His inconsistency and lack of toughness were repeatedly cited as flaws, and he spent most of his nine-year career on the fringes of various rosters. Although he lasted longer than some others, Parks never lived up to the hype of being a lottery pick.

Chris Carrawell, another standout from Coach K’s deep rosters, was drafted late in the second round in 2000 by the San Antonio Spurs but never played a regular-season game in the NBA. While Carrawell had the size and strength to be a wing defender, he lacked the shooting consistency and athletic burst needed to make it in the league. Instead, his pro career played out overseas and in minor leagues, making him one of the more disappointing Duke transitions to the pros.

One of the more recent examples is Frank Jackson, who declared for the draft after just one season in Durham. Jackson was a McDonald’s All-American and had elite athleticism and scoring potential. Drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans, injuries set him back from the outset. Although he’s had stints with multiple teams and shown flashes, his overall inconsistency and lack of defensive ability have left him bouncing between contracts and summer leagues, far from the star many predicted he would become.

Jahlil Okafor is another name that looms large in this discussion. A dominant force in college basketball, Okafor was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft after leading Duke to a national title as a freshman. With refined post moves and incredible footwork, many thought he would be the next great NBA big man. Unfortunately, the modern NBA moved away from his skill set at lightning speed. Okafor struggled mightily on defense, didn’t stretch the floor, and was quickly exposed as a one-dimensional player. Despite multiple chances with different teams, he never adjusted to the pace-and-space game and now finds himself out of the league far earlier than expected.

Finally, perhaps the most painful bust story of them all is that of Jabari Parker. Once hailed as the best prospect since LeBron James during his high school days, Parker lived up to the hype in his lone season at Duke, earning All-American honors and becoming the No. 2 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. Early in his career, he showed glimpses of stardom, averaging over 20 points per game in his third season. But two devastating ACL injuries robbed him of his explosiveness and ability to defend. After failed stints with the Bulls, Wizards, Kings, and Celtics, Parker became a symbol of “what could have been.” Despite his immense talent and offensive prowess, the injuries derailed a career that many had pegged for greatness.

These 13 players represent the darker side of Duke’s illustrious NBA legacy. While the program continues to produce NBA-caliber talent and maintains its reputation as a basketball powerhouse, it’s important to recognize that college success doesn’t always translate into professional stardom. Factors such as injuries, team fit, evolving NBA play styles, and even timing can make or break a player’s transition. The narratives of Shelden Williams, William Avery, Trajan Langdon, Jahlil Okafor, and Jabari Parker remind us that the road from Durham to NBA greatness is not guaranteed — and sometimes, it ends in heartbreak rather than Hall of Fame inductions.