Uniting the legacies of two fierce rivals who became close friends, former Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski has been named the recipient of the 2022-23 Dean Smith Award by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association, recognizing an individual in basketball who embodies the spirit and values of the late Coach Smith.
The award will be presented to Krzyzewski on May 6 at the Emily Krzyzewski Center’s annual Mother’s Day Ball at the Washington Duke Inn and Golf Club.
“Honoring Coach K with this award not only recognizes his accomplishments on and off the court but brings full circle the story of his relationship with Dean Smith, from rivals to peers to friends,” said USBWA president Luke DeCock of the Raleigh News & Observer.