The Super Six Set Their Numbers

The nation's top recruiting class for the 2002 recruiting year have all decided on their numbers. Despite having some limited choices, the six freshmen have all chosen their numbers, while some upperclassmen have changed jerseys since last season.

Andre Buckner has decided to switch from number 15 to number 2 (making him the first player in Duke history to wear that number), while walk on Andy Means has traded in #13 for #53 in honor of his teammate John Stewart who died of heart attack while playing. Stewart was headed to Kentucky.

Both vacated numbers have already been filled by two of the freshmen. In place of Buckner, Sean Dockery will wear number 15 while red shirt walk-on Lee Melchionni will wear #13.

Melchionni becomes only the ninth player in Duke history to wear #13 joining Tony Buhowsky, Joe Cook, Taymon Domzalski, Brent Kitching, Henry Lamley, Don Miller, J.D. Simpson, and Means.

Dockery is the tenth Blue Devil to wear #15 joining Bruce Bell, Andre Buckner, Ryan Caldbeck, Rudy D'Emilio, Pat Doughty, Burton Fitts, Fred Kast, Bob Riedy, Paul Schmidt, and Todd Singleton.

Two of the freshmen had a chance to retain their high school numbers.

Shavlik Randolph will wear #42, becoming the ninth player in Duke history to do so along with former Blue Devils Joey Beard, Don Blackman, Elton Brand, George Burgin, Bob Fleischer, Mike Lewis, Harold Turner, and Reggie Love.

Meanwhile JJ Redick will take #4 after it was vacated by Carlos Boozer. We hear that Redick will get a smaller size though. Redick becomes the fifth player to wear #4 behind Boozer, Roshown McLeod, Kenny Blakeney, and Tommy Amaker.

Shelden Williams has only worn two numbers his entire life: 23 and 33. With #33 being retired (Grant Hill), Williams was left with #23 which he chose becoming the 13th player to pick #23 joining C.B. Claiborne, Ray Cox, Chris Carrawell, Brian Davis, Marty Doherty, Richard Ford, Larry Linney, Elliot Mcbride, Don Miller, Bill Suk, Dick Warren, and Carroll Youngkin.

Finally Illinois big man Michael Thompson has decided on #50, making him the fourth player to do so along with Corey Maggette, Alan Shaw, and Glen Smiley.

LINK: 2002-2003 Roster