Duke guard Michael Savarino won the Elite 90 Award on Friday at the 2022 NCAA Men's Final Four in New Orleans. Savarino is the grandson of Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, providing another highlight in his final season leading the Blue Devils men's basketball team.
"It means the world," Savarino said. "It shows that Duke basketball isn't just about basketball, especially with this being coach's last year. It's family ties."
Savarino, a junior guard, earned the honor with a 3.82 grade-point average as he pursues his degree in sociology.
Savarino, a junior guard, earned the Elite 90 Award with a 3.82 grade-point average as he pursues his degree in sociology. (Photo by Olivia Baumhoer / NCAA)
"I spend a lot of time in the gym, but I spend more time in the books. I guess that shows," Savarino said.
The Durham, North Carolina, native's mother, Debbie, is an assistant director of athletics at Duke and one of Krzyzewski's three daughters.
Krzyzewski's name appears all over the NCAA men's basketball records book. His 1,202 wins are the best in Division I men's basketball, and now he has taken the Blue Devils to the Men's Final Four for a 13th time, a Division I Men's Basketball Championship record for a coach.
Savarino knows how special it is to be part of his grandfather's final team as he wraps up his 42nd season at Duke and 47th overall as a head coach.
"I'm hoping my mom is crying in the crowd (when he received the award)," Savarino said. "I think coach cares a lot. We got a picture with him, and I know they are both proud of me. I'm forever grateful for it."
The Elite 90 Award recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the national championship level, while also achieving the highest academic standard. It is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating at the finals site for each of the NCAA's 90 championships.
Duke and North Carolina are scheduled to tip off at 8:49 p.m. Eastern time Saturday. Villanova and Kansas play the opening game set for 6:09 p.m. Eastern time. Both Final Four games will be broadcast on TBS.
