Duke University’s basketball program is one of the most successful in college sports, known for winning five national championships and producing many NBA stars. Legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski helped build this winning tradition, and Duke is still famous for bringing in top players who make a big impact.
Fans recently debated on X about three standout “one-and-done” players—Jabari Parker, Jayson Tatum, and Paolo Banchero.
Start, Bench, Cut: Debating Duke’s One-and-Done Legends
Parker impressed with his scoring in 2014, Tatum showed his all-around game in 2017 before becoming an NBA champion, and Banchero led Duke to the Final Four in 2022 as the top pick in the NBA Draft.
These players show how Duke continues to attract and develop excellent talent, keeping the team’s legacy strong and Cameron Indoor Stadium a legendary place in college basketball.
Start. Bench. Cut
(Based on their one year at Duke) pic.twitter.com/B67wKst5YH
— Blue Devils (@BlueDevils) May 10, 2025
Fans had a lot to say about Duke’s “Start, Bench, Cut” post, and many agreed that Jayson Tatum should be the one to cut based on how he played in college.
Some fans were very clear, saying things like, “Start Paolo, Bench Jabari, Cut Tatum. This is the only answer,” and “Anyone not cutting Tatum is straight up delusional…and I love JT.” Another fan said, “Duke Tatum wasn’t on the level as the other 2,” meaning that they thought his time at Duke wasn’t as strong as Banchero’s or Parker’s.
Other fans gave a more thoughtful answer, saying they like Tatum as a player but still wouldn’t pick him if they were only looking at college careers.
One person said, “Start Banchero, bench Jabari and cut Tatum unfortunately if this is just Duke. NBA start Tatum, bench Banchero, cut Jabari.”
This shows that while many people respect Tatum’s NBA career, they don’t think his time at Duke was as impressive. The comments show that fans care a lot about these players and have strong opinions on who was better during their short time at Duke.
KEEP READING: 2025 Men’s College Basketball Transfer Portal Tracker
No matter where fans stand in the debate, it’s clear that Parker, Tatum, and Banchero each left their mark on Duke’s rich basketball history. Their talent, even in just one season, continues to spark conversation and highlight the program’s ability to attract some of the game’s brightest young stars.
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