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Duke basketball: 'We got the best pros'

This All-Star Weekend was a demonstration of Duke basketball's NBA prowess.
Matt Giles|
Duke basketball: 'We got the best pros'
Duke basketball: 'We got the best pros'

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Duke Blue Devils

Jayson Tatum set a record while earning the Kobe Bryant All-Star Game MVP trophy in Team Giannis' 184-175 win in Salt Lake City on Sunday night. Kyrie Irving posted the most spectacular box score for Team LeBron. The other member of Duke basketball's record-setting three voted-in starters, Zion Williamson, sat out with a hamstring injury.

RELATED: Ranking every Duke one-and-done in history

Add to that Tatum's respectable showing in Saturday night's 3-Point Contest (tied for fourth out of eight). Moreover, two rookie NBA Blue Devils were starters in Friday night's Rising Stars Challenge: Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero, who also took part in Saturday night's Skills Challenge, and Atlanta Hawks forward AJ Griffin.

At the end of it all, Duke basketball's official Twitter account summarized one lesson from the weekend:

Tatum's 55 points, including 27 in the third quarter alone, surpassed Anthony Davis' 52-point performance in 2017 for the All-Star Game's all-time mark. The 24-year-old Boston Celtics forward finished 22-for-31 from the field, 10-for-18 from downtown, and 1-for-2 from the foul line.

"I wanted to win MVP," Jayson Tatum told the media afterward. "I didn't think I'd get 55, but this is icing on the cake."

Irving, the only other former Duke basketball player who has ever taken home MVP hardware from the league's annual showcase (2014), set the Dallas Mavericks' All-Star Game record with 32 points, shooting 14-for-21 from the field and 4-for-8 beyond the arc.

Perhaps more admirable were the 30-year-old guard's 15 assists, five more than any other player on the court.

RELATED: Stacking up Duke's 25 NBA players this season

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country for daily Duke basketball content.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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