Legendary Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski has a new walk-on coming to campus this year, and it’s a player he knows quite well. Michael Savarino is his name, and the 18-year-old guard just so happens to be Coach K’s grandson.
Krzyzeweski isn’t doing this as a favor, however.
“He’s earned it,” Krzyzewski said, per The News & Observer. “Michael was a really good player at Durham Academy. Well-coached there. They had their best season ever.”
Savarino is walking on at Duke this year after playing three years of varsity ball at Durham Academy. He averaged 7.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game last season, helping Durham Academy go 28-4.
“We expect him to be a heck of a walk-on for us,” Krzyzewski said, “and I don’t expect any problems from the mother. And I better not have any problems from the grandmother. That’s the one I’m worried about the most.”
Savarino is the son of Debbie Krzyzewski Savarino, the eldest daughter of Coach K and his wife, Mickie.