Most Versatile

[RanDEVILman]

So while talking about stretch 4s in a different post it was brought up by Dattier about how Duke has featured a lot a very versatile players. Who in your opinion was the most versatile? Only in their time at Duke, use your own definition of versatile.

I am going to start with a dark horse suggestion: Kyle Singler
Played a lot of 4, even battled Hansbrough as a 5 his freshmen or sophomore year. Then played mostly 3 his senior year. And played every position with a ton of enthusiasm and effort.

 

[Dattier]

C-well, Grant, Shane... Kyle would be near the top of my list, too. In some cases, it has been more out of necessity that some guys have played as wide a range of positions (Kyle at the 5, for example), but even then, if you're the top choice, it says something about your skill set even if it's a desperate choice.

My darkhorse: Demarcus Nelson. He was strong enough that he played some 4 despite being what? 6'2"? during some lean years and K's longest drought between FFs, but he was ideally a 2 for us, and he later even spent his very brief NBA stint playing some point. I think the versatile short guy is probably the rarest, as it's easier to acquire ball-handling skills and shooting range than it is height.

 

[germantondevil]

Grant Hill, and also Mike Dunleavy Jr. Mike D ran point thru a lot of his HS days. Then he all of the sudden shot up to 6'9.

 

[timo0402]

Chris Carrawell was the first name that jumped into my head.

 

[Laettner]

Most versatile: Danny Ferry. Guarded PF's that were bigger/stronger & SF's who were quicker. Developed a ridiculous outside touch & mid range game that guys his size didn't have in late 80's.

Singler was just a flat out warrior. His footwork on last possession against Gordon Hayward was pure textbook.

 

[skysdad]

Jim Spanarkel. He was 6'5" and could rebound, handle the ball, had a good assist average, shoot from anywhere on the court, played good defense, good fg and ft percentages.

 

[HuffyJB]

Singler is a great answer. I think the only position he didn't play during his Duke tenure was PG.

Dunleavy is also a great answer. I remember specifically during his freshman year, he was the sixth man on a team that really only went six deep. But he made that work because he was something of a swiss army knife and could come in for anyone.

But I think the final answer is Grant Hill. Not only was he Duke's greatest talent, but he did everything over the course of his career. For example during his senior year, on the 1994 runner-up team, he did as much ball handling as anyone on the team, including freshman PG Jeff Capel.

 

[dukedevilz]

PG: Grant Hill
SG: Chris Carrawell
SF: Mike Dunleavy
PF: Shane Battier
C: Josh McRoberts