History was made on a monumental night in Brooklyn. The 2025 NBA Draft will be remembered not just for its future All-Stars, blockbuster trades, or tearful family moments—but because Duke University achieved something no college basketball program has ever done: all five of its starting players were selected in the first round of the NBA Draft. It was unprecedented, a complete domination of the stage, and an emphatic statement about the program’s stature in college basketball and its pipeline to the pros.
Duke basketball is no stranger to the NBA Draft spotlight. Over the decades, under coaching icons like Mike Krzyzewski and now under Jon Scheyer, the Blue Devils have become synonymous with elite talent and NBA-ready preparation. But even with multiple top-five picks, national titles, and deep tournament runs, nothing compares to what unfolded this year. For the first time in NBA history, all five starters from one college team were selected in a single draft—and all within the first 30 picks. That’s not just dominance. That’s rewriting the book on collegiate-to-professional transition.
It started with the anticipated first overall pick, where forward Jackson Rivers, a 6’10” do-it-all phenom who averaged 21.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game, was taken by the Detroit Pistons. Rivers had been the consensus top pick since December. With a modern skill set—shooting from range, defending all five positions, and thriving in transition—he was the face of Duke’s season and now becomes the foundational piece of a rebuilding NBA franchise. His selection at No. 1 was expected, but what followed was not.
At No. 5, combo guard Elijah Moore heard his name called. A 6’4” electric scorer and facilitator, Moore became the heart of Duke’s offense late in the season. His fearless drives, clutch shooting, and elite court vision reminded scouts of a young Damian Lillard. Known for his leadership as much as his game, Moore brought grit and poise that often doesn’t come from a 19-year-old. He had multiple 30-point games during March Madness, including a memorable game-winning three to seal Duke’s Final Four berth. His rise up draft boards was meteoric, but well-deserved.
Not long after, at No. 12, the Indiana Pacers grabbed wing defender Marcus Bradley. Arguably the least flashy of the starting five, Bradley’s stock surged during pre-draft workouts and combine interviews. Every team he met with fell in love with his basketball IQ, defensive versatility, and selfless style. At 6’7” with a 7-foot wingspan, he guarded everyone from point guards to power forwards in college, often taking on the opposition’s best player. Though he only averaged 10.3 points, his defensive presence and relentless motor made him a coveted prospect.
Then came the biggest surprise of the night. Point guard Tyrese Jordan, originally projected as a second-rounder earlier in the year, went 21st overall to the Phoenix Suns. Known for his blazing speed and pick-and-roll orchestration, Jordan emerged during the ACC Tournament as a leader and playmaker. His tenacity, combined with an improved jump shot, propelled him into first-round consideration. Scouts noted his intangible value—he was the engine of Duke’s high-octane offense, and his court presence made everyone better. The Suns, desperate for a floor general who could inject pace and pressure, pounced at the chance.
Finally, the dream scenario unfolded at No. 28, when center Theo Abernathy was selected by the Boston Celtics. The 7-footer was Duke’s defensive anchor, a rim protector and pick-and-roll finisher who averaged 2.8 blocks per game. Abernathy’s role was never glamorous, but it was essential. His screening, rebounding, and ability to defend without fouling made him a scout’s favorite in analytics-driven circles. His selection completed the sweep—Duke’s starting five, all drafted, all in the first round.
The reaction from the Barclays Center crowd was part amazement, part admiration. ESPN’s panel was nearly speechless. “I’ve never seen anything like this,” said Jay Bilas, longtime college basketball analyst and Duke alumnus. “We’ve seen three, sometimes four starters from a team go early, but all five? That’s not just a great team—that’s historic.”
Social media exploded within seconds. The official Duke Basketball Twitter account posted, “ALL FIVE. HISTORY MADE. #DukeToTheLeague,” accompanied by photos of each player holding their new NBA jerseys. NBA stars chimed in too, from former Blue Devils like Jayson Tatum and Zion Williamson to rivals who tipped their hat to what Duke had accomplished.
For Jon Scheyer, it was a coaching validation of the highest order. Just three years into his tenure as head coach following Coach K’s retirement, Scheyer delivered a Final Four appearance, the ACC Championship, and now a clean sweep of first-round picks. “It’s not just about talent,” he said in a post-draft interview. “It’s about how they played together, how they sacrificed, and how they committed to doing something special. This was a brotherhood in every sense.”
Indeed, this group was more than just a collection of future pros—they were a cohesive unit that bought into a system. Despite having five NBA-caliber players, Duke rarely devolved into isolation-heavy ball. Their offensive sets prioritized movement, spacing, and shared responsibility. Defensively, they were suffocating, switching seamlessly and communicating with near-telepathic precision. The numbers bear this out: they finished the season top-five in both offensive and defensive efficiency and set an ACC record for margin of victory.
This wasn’t a team that scraped by in the tournament either. Duke bulldozed its way through the regionals, ousting perennial contenders like Kansas and Baylor before falling in a heartbreaker to eventual champion UConn in the Final Four. Their run captured the imagination of college basketball fans, not just because of the wins, but the way they won—with flair, chemistry, and confidence.
Beyond the college season and draft night lies the broader implication of Duke’s unprecedented feat. It has the potential to redefine recruiting conversations for years. Young prospects dreaming of NBA stardom may now view Durham, North Carolina, as the clearest path to achieving it. In a landscape increasingly dominated by NIL deals, G League Ignite, and overseas options, Duke’s showing reinforces that college basketball, done right, can still be the ultimate launchpad.
For the NBA, the Duke Five will be a fascinating case study in player development. Can Rivers live up to the hype of being a franchise savior? Will Moore thrive as a lead guard in the league’s most competitive backcourts? Can Bradley become a Mikal Bridges-type two-way force? Will Jordan’s pace translate, and can Abernathy anchor a defense at the pro level? Teams gambled on chemistry translating into success—something rarely tested on this scale.
Skeptics will note that college success doesn’t always guarantee NBA stardom. For every Fab Five or “One and Done” Kentucky team, there are flameouts and forgotten names. But this Duke group feels different. These weren’t just individual talents thrown together—they were molded into a unit, tested under pressure, and bonded by a shared goal. NBA teams aren’t just betting on potential—they’re investing in maturity, discipline, and the rarest of all basketball currencies: team-first mentality.
The significance of this draft night also resonates within Duke’s hallowed halls. Coach K, who watched from the stands, reportedly wiped away tears as the fifth and final starter was selected. He later told reporters, “I’ve been part of some great Duke moments. But this? This is the pinnacle. Not just because they were drafted—but because of who they are as young men.”
As the confetti settled and the stage was cleared, a new era had officially begun—not just for the five Duke players now heading to the league, but for the entire college basketball world. What Duke did wasn’t just statistically rare—it shattered the ceiling of what’s possible when elite talent, coaching, and culture converge. It set a new standard, a new dream, for every high school recruit watching. And it may mark the beginning of another Blue Devil dynasty—not just in college, but in the NBA itself.
One school. One starting lineup. Five first-round picks. One historic night.
History didn’t just happen. Duke made it happen.
