Former Duke Blue Devils star Christian Laettner is one of the most polarizing college basketball players of all time. The dominant big man was beloved by the Cameron Crazies and universally hated by other fans. While his popularity soared during his time in the NCAA, he failed to live up to lofty expectations as an NBA player. But regardless of his NBA struggles, the Bad Boy of Duke Basketball remains legendary, especially for his March heroics. So, what is the former Duke University legend up to these days? Where is Christian Laettner now
Christian Laettner College Career
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Christian Laettner grew up in Buffalo, New York, and put himself on the map as a star basketball player at Nichols School.
His play in high school earned him a spot on the star-studded Duke team under head coach Mike Krzyzewski and alongside Grant Hill, Bobby Hurley, and Brian Davis.
With the Blue Devils, Laettner earned a plethora of accolades, including winning both the Wooden and Naismith awards and earning All-American honors.
He was also a three-time All-ACC selectee and won two national championships.
Laettner's most renowned moment at Duke came when he beat Kentucky with a legendary shot at the buzzer to send the Blue Devils to the Final Four of the 1992 NCAA Tournament. He was named AP Player of the Year, during his senior campaign, which is in one of the greatest seasons in college basketball history.
Duke and Coach K defeated Michigan in the title game for their second-consecutive championship.
Laettner was then infamously selected to the Dream Team ahead of the 1992 Olympics, taking the spot many thought was going to Shaquille O'Neal.
Laettner was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010.
NBA Career
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Christian Laettner was selected third overall in the 1992 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. He was named to the All-Rookie team after averaging 18.2 points and 8.7 rebounds in his debut campaign.
Laettner spent over three seasons in Minnesota before he was dealt to the Atlanta Hawks in 1995-96. He made his lone All-Star Game appearance the following year after recording averages of 18.1 points and 8.8 rebounds.
After his stint with the Hawks, Laettner bounced around teams until his eventual retirement, spending time with the Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizards and Miami Heat.
Christian Laettner Now
Christian Laettner is still around basketball these days, but he's kept a fairly low profile.
He served as an assistant coach for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA G-League. He also launched an effort to turn around a struggling high school basketball team on a television series aired on the Olympic Channel.
Laettner and former college teammate Brian Davis staged an unsuccessful attempt to purchase the Memphis Grizzlies in 2006. The rumors of a potential ownership change flared again in 2020, but nothing materialized.
This isn't the first business venture he and Davis have pursued together. The former teammates are also working together in real estate in Durham, North Carolina.
In 2015, Christian Laettner was the subject of a widely popular ESPN 30-for-30 documentary, "I Hate Christian Laettner."
He currently lives near Jacksonville, Florida, and has moved on from his basketball-playing days.
