Mike Krzyzewski Names the Best Player He’s Ever Coached Without Hesitation

Danny Wild-Imagn Images

Mike Krzyzewski Names the Best Player He’s Ever Coached Without Hesitation

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Mar 16, 2026 5:54 PM ET

Mike Krzyzewski watched on as his successor, Jon Scheyer, led the Duke Blue Devils to a second-straight ACC Championship win, taking down Ryan Odom and the Virginia Cavaliers 74-70. Now, Scheyer will look to lead No. 1 overall seed Duke to its first national championship win since taking over the coaching duties, opening the NCAA Tournament with a matchup against No. 16 seed Sienna Saints.

Krzyzewski became arguably the best college basketball head coach the NCAA has ever seen. From 1980 to 2022, the now 79-year-old not only secured three Naismith College Coach of the Year awards, but also led the Blue Devils to five national championships and 15 ACC Tournament titles. He also holds the record for the most career wins by a head coach with 1,202.

Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski.Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Coach K worked with some of the best players college basketball has ever seen, including Duke legends such as Christian Laettner, JJ Redick, Grant Hill and Zion Williamson. He also worked with USA Basketball for 36 years, serving as the national team’s head coach from 2006 to 2016. Along the way, he coached some of the best NBA players in history and helped the United States win five Olympic gold medals, including three as the head coach.

On Monday, just a day before the NCAA Tournament begins, Krzyzewski made a guest appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” to discuss the current Duke team and March Madness. During the conversation, he named the best basketball player he has ever coached, and despite working with legends such as Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, Krzyzewski chose former Chicago Bulls and UNC Tar Heels guard Michael Jordan.

"The best player that I've ever been associated with is (Michael) Jordan," Krzyzewski said. "There are a number of other people that he can allow into his room. Okay. A limited number of them. But it starts with Michael... He's a killer, for Christ's sake. He can do anything. He got bored and went to play baseball for a while, and still came back. His attitude and work ethic. I love him, and he's the ultimate competitor."

"The best player that I've ever been associated with is Michael Jordan..

He's the ultimate competitor" ~ Coach K#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/zOoEURURQl
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 16, 2026