The ATOC’s Board of Directors chose Krzyzewski, renowned for his legendary coaching career at Duke, as well as the 2025 Naismith Outstanding Contributor to Women’s Basketball Award recipient Muffet McGraw, celebrated for her remarkable tenure at Notre Dame. Both honorees will be recognized during the 2025 college basketball season.“Certainly, it is a tremendous honor to be recognized in this way by the Atlanta Tipoff Club,” said Krzyzewski. “In looking at the previous winners of the Naismith Outstanding Contributor award, I am humbled to be among those who’ve impacted the sport of basketball in such a meaningful way. College basketball is so special, and the game gave me much more than I gave it. I am truly grateful to be named the 2025 Naismith Outstanding Contributor to Men’s Basketball.”
First awarded in 1982, the Naismith Outstanding Contributor to Basketball Award is given annually to those whose exceptional efforts have created a lasting, positive influence on the game. The recipients exemplify character, integrity, and dignity and make substantial contributions to the growth and sustainability of basketball.
“Every year, we choose individuals who have made a profound impact on players and fans alike, truly embodying the spirit of basketball,” said Eric Oberman, president of the Atlanta Tipoff Club. “It’s a privilege to honor these remarkable figures who dedicated their lives to fostering and advancing the game. Winning a Naismith Coach of the Year award is incredible, but being recognized later for your lasting contributions is exceptional.”
About Mike Krzyzewski:
- As the head coach at Duke and Army, Krzyzewski finished his career with a 1,202-368 record, making him the winningest coach in men’s college basketball history.
- On November 15, 2011, at Madison Square Garden, Coach K surpassed his former mentor, Bob Knight, to become the Division I men’s all-time leader in career wins with his 903rd victory. His milestone 1,000th career win came on January 25, 2015, against St. John’s in the same venue, making him the first Division I men’s basketball coach to reach four figures in wins.
- In his 42 seasons at Duke, the 2001 Naismith Hall of Fame coach amassed a 1,129-309 mark, leading the Blue Devils to five national titles, 13 Final Fours, 15 Atlantic Coast Conference tournament championships, and 13 Atlantic Coast Conference regular season titles. His 13 Final Four appearances are the most of any Division I men’s basketball coach.
- The Blue Devils won back-to-back national championships in 1991 and 1992, making Krzyzewski the first coach to accomplish that feat since 1973.
- Three-time Werner Ladder Naismith College Coach of the Year (1989, 1992, 1999), five-time Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year (1984, 1986, 1997, 1999, 2000), and two-time National Association of Basketball Coaches Coach of the Year (1991, 1999).
- In 2008, Krzyzewski was the head coach of the U.S. Olympic Gold Medal “Redeem Team,” proving his ability to lead, coach, and achieve is unparalleled in basketball. He coached five Olympic Gold medal-winning teams, twice as an assistant coach (1984 & 1992) and three times as the head coach (2008, 2012, & 2016), while leading the 2010 and 2014 FIBA World Cup teams to gold medals.
- Coach K led the Blue Devils into the NCAA Tournament 36 times, more than any other coach in NCAA history. He holds the record for most wins in NCAA Tournament play, going 101-31.
