When you think of NBA dynasties built through the draft, the Brooklyn Nets have a unique story to tell. Over the decades, the franchise has consistently turned to the annual draft to find its cornerstone players, and few college programs have supplied more talent to the Nets than Duke University.
From the hardwood of Cameron Indoor Stadium to the bright lights of Brooklyn, these Blue Devils have made their mark in Nets history. Whether they were selected directly by the franchise or acquired on draft day, each player brought a piece of Coach K's winning culture to the organization.
Let's take a closer look at every Duke player who has been drafted by the Nets—a list that spans from the ABA era to the modern NBA:
1977 NBA Draft: Sixth round (111th overall pick) – A deep selection that showed the Nets' early interest in Duke talent, even before the program became a national powerhouse.
1980 NBA Draft: First round (7th overall pick) – The Nets landed a Blue Devil in the lottery, signaling that Duke was becoming a prime destination for NBA-ready prospects.
2013 NBA Draft: First round (22nd overall pick) – A modern-era addition that brought Duke's championship pedigree to a Nets team looking to build through youth and versatility.
2023 NBA Draft: First round (22nd overall pick) – The most recent Duke-Nets connection, proving that the pipeline between these two storied programs remains strong.
Each of these players represents a chapter in the Nets' ongoing journey, blending Duke's disciplined, team-first approach with Brooklyn's gritty, big-market identity. Whether you're a fan of the Blue Devils or the Nets, this draft history is a reminder that great basketball often starts with the right college pedigree.
All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.