DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) – Former Blue Devils men’s basketball standout and NBA player JJ Redick is one of nine new members set to be inducted into the Duke Athletics Hall of Fame later this year.
Duke University made the announcement on Tuesday, unveiling the following list of inductees: Monique Currie (women’s basketball), John Danowski (coach), Matt Danowski (men’s lacrosse), Anna Grzebien Vanderlinde (women’s golf), Abby Johnston McGrath (women’s diving), Quinton McCracken (baseball and football), Chris Port (football), JJ Redick (men’s basketball) and Becca Ward (women’s fencing).
Redick, who’s one of the most prolific scorers in NCAA history, accumulated 2,769 career points while also earning National Player of the Year honors in 2005 and 2006. He also spearheaded the Blue Devils to a 116-23 record, which includes two Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season titles, three conference tournament championships, four NCAA Tournament berths as well as a Final Four appearance in 2004. Redick graduated from Duke as the all-time NCAA leader in three-point field goals (457) and the ACC career leader in total points.
After being selected as No. 11 overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2006 NBA Draft, he racked up 12,028 points, 1,903 rebounds, 1,862 assists and 1,950 three-pointers made over the course of 15 seasons. Along with the Magic, he played with the Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans, Milwaukee Bucks and Dallas Mavericks. Redick finished his professional career among the top 20 players in NBA history in both three-point field goals and three-point field goal percentage (.415).
On the women’s basketball side, Currie became the first player in ACC history to record 2,000 points, 800 rebounds, 400 assists and 200 steals in a college career. She was named a two-time Associated Press All-American and four-time All-ACC selection, even winning ACC Player of the Year honors in 2005. Currie played an instrumental role in the Blue Devils’ postseason success, leading them to a pair of ACC Tournament titles and two trips to the Final Four.
This induction ceremony will also mark a family affair for Duke men’s lacrosse coach John Danowski and his son Matt.
Since being named head coach ahead of the 2006 season, John has guided the Blue Devils to 253 wins along with 12 Final Four berths and three national titles in 2010, 2013 and 2014. Meanwhile, Matt concluded his accomplished career at Duke as a first-team All-American pick on three occasions as well as the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer with 353 points on 170 goals and 183 assists.
Vanderlinde was an integral piece of three straight NCAA championship teams in 2005, 2006 and 2005, which culminated in a six-year career on the LPGA Tour.
McGrath set the standard for excellence for the Duke diving program, securing All-American recognition four times between 2009 and 2013. Along with her success on the collegiate level, she claimed a silver medal in the synchronized 3-meter springboard competition at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. McGrath again represented the United States at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
As a two-sport standout on the diamond and the gridiron for the Blue Devils, McCracken put together a rather impressive list of accolades between 1988 and 1992. On the baseball team, he picked up first-team All-ACC and third-team All-American honors in his final season. McCracken graduated as the program’s career leader in hits (236), runs scored (187), walks (108), triples (22), stolen bases (98) and on-base percentage (.432). In football, McCracken was a three-year starter at cornerback and a member of Duke’s ACC Championship squad in 1989, finishing his career with 158 tackles, five interceptions and 24 pass breakups.
A valuable member of the conference-winning team in 1989, Port established his presence as one of the best offensive tackles in the country, winning first-team All-American honors as well as the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, which is given annually to the top blocker in the ACC.
Becoming a member of the USA Fencing Hall of Fame in 2015, Ward compiled a 272-7 record during her tenure at Duke, becoming the first sabre fencer to win three NCAA individual championships in 2009, 2011 and 2012. She was also a four-time All-American selection for the Blue Devils. On the international scene, Ward won two bronze medals at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing in the individual sabre and women’s team sabre categories.
This group of inductees will be enshrined at the Duke Athletics Hall of Fame ceremony scheduled for Oct. 25. There are currently 154 members in the Duke Athletics Hall of Fame, dating back to the inaugural ceremony in 1975.