There were plenty of highlights of Shane Battier's trademark chase-down blocks as head coach Mike Krzyzewski approached win No. 1,000 and fans relived the greatest moments of his career. Now, one of Krzyzewski's greatest players will get a chance to create a new memory for younger fans to enjoy live.
Battier—who retired last summer after playing 13 NBA seasons to join ESPN's broadcast team—is part of the 2015 ACC Basketball Legends Class, which was announced Wednesday morning. The 2001 National Player of the Year is joined by 12 other standout players and two head coaches. All 15 standouts will be recognized during the ACC Legends Luncheon Friday, March 13, and the same evening during halftime of the first semifinal of the ACC tournament at the Greensboro Coliseum.
A 6-foot-8 forward, Battier was part of one of the most dominant stretches in Duke basketball history, amassing a 133-15 career record and capping his career by leading the Blue Devils to their third national title. Battier averaged 19.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per game and combined for 43 points and 19 rebounds while playing all 80 minutes Final Four weekend. Duke knocked off Maryland 95-84 and Arizona 82-72 to take the title and Battier was named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player after already earning ACC tournament MVP and ACC Co-Player of the Year honors.
The Birmingham, Mich., was also a three-time National Defensive Player of the Year selection by the National Association of Basketball Coaches. He averaged 13.6 points and 6.1 rebounds for his career and ranks 12th on Duke's all-time scoring list. His No. 31 hangs in the rafters of Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Keep up with the Blue Zone for all your Duke basketball news as the Blue Devils get set to take on Georgia Tech Wednesday in their first home game in 16 days.
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