Last year at this time, Duke players were dominating NBA draft-day buzz.
Analysts debated whether Jay Williams or Yao Ming deserved to be the Houston Rocket's top pick.
Mike Dunleavy received assurances that he would be a high draft pick, and he was taken third overall by the Golden State Warriors.
Carlos Boozer was also a potential first-round selection, although he fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round. A year later, much has changed.
Both Williams and Dunleavy had somewhat disappointing rookie seasons, and in 2003, Duke's pre-draft hype is not nearly on the same level as 2002.
Two of last season's seniors, Dahntay Jones and Casey Sanders, have declared themselves eligible for selection in 2003. However, neither is expected to be chosen in the first round, and Sanders will probably hear his name called in the league's two-round draft.
Despite not being an early selection, Jones could have an immediate impact in the league, especially on the defensive side of the ball, according to Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski.
"I think he'll be a good pro," Krzyzewski said. "I think he'll get the chance to do real well. Dahntay can already play defense in the NBA. His athletic ability is of the highest percentile. He still has room to improve and this year he's shown that he can hit an open shot."
Jones has reportedly been working very hard on his game while marketing himself to a host of teams. According to Krzyzewski, Jones participated in drills for 13 teams in the 15 days leading up to the draft.
Meanwhile, Sanders - who says he will watch the draft on television to see where his friends are selected - has been considering his options in Europe.
"I'm not looking for too much to come out of it, because I feel my road to the NBA will be through Europe, and I'm OK with it," Sanders told The Tampa Tribune. "And in the long run I think it will serve me more."
Krzyzewski confirmed that Sanders was focusing on his prospects in Europe in an interview with the Chronicle, stating further that he believes if Sanders builds on his strong performance from his senior season with the Blue Devils, he has a good shot at making it to the NBA at some point in his career..
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