Playing for Grandpa: Duke walk-on Michael Savarino

Michael Savarino is a walk-on at Duke, which for many players, is already a dream come true.

But the year will be even more special for Savarino. He gets to play for his grandfather, Mike Krzyzewski.

“It’s gonna be a blessing, honestly,” he said. “It’s gonna be a really great experience.”

It’s also not a one-year thing. “Hopefully I get him a couple more years after that, too,” he said.

“But this year is gonna be really special, because we have such a special group of guys,” he said.

Having grown up with Krzyzewski as a grandfather, some of the mystique around the Hall of Fame coach might be lost. Surely, Savarino has heard all of Coach K’s lines.

“Lines? No. I’ve heard all of his curse words,” he said. “He’s such a witty guy. I know I haven’t heard all of his lines. He always has something great to say to encourage these guys.”

Savarino catches himself. He’s one of those guys now.

“Not these guys,” he said, “the team …to do better things and be a better team overall.”

As for the obvious question—what does Savarino call him at practice?

“It’s Coach now,” he said. “Not Grandpa.”

Krzyzewski hasn’t done anything that shocked Savarino yet, but he’s waiting for the first outburst.

“He has not done anything to surprise me yet,” he said. “I think I’ve seen it all. The surprises? Maybe a broken clipboard or throwing markers. Something like that. I don’t know. I’m ready to see that.”

Savarino also isn’t worried about gaining the trust of his teammates.

“The guys have opened up to me. They trust me. They aren’t worried about me saying something to Coach. Not that I would do that.”