Grayson’s Banquet Speech

At Duke senior speeches, whether in Cameron or at the post-season banquet, are a staple of Duke tradition.

Here’s Grayson Allen’s from this week’s banquet. He has a unique place in Duke history as most of you know.

He called his career a roller coaster but when Coach K spoke, he corrected him:

“Don’t ever use the term roller-coaster for your career. C’mon man. I wish I was on that ride. My coach told me he’d break my arm if I shot. He usually backed up his word. My arms have never been broken.

“Yours has been a skyrocket. Look, there are bumps in the road. On a journey to anything that is really good, there are obstacles. It wouldn’t be really good unless there were. Otherwise everybody would go in this damn journey. Everybody would win a national championship. Everyone would be one of five or one of six or one of two. It ain’t easy because there are limits that we have and that we have to change. When we are open to change in the limits and also open to the process that’s needed to change them and trust somebody or somebodies enough to do it, it’s success. You have been one of the most successful players in the history of this program.”