DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- It's hard to quantify Coach Mike Krzyzewski's legacy at Duke and the lives he's touched: Five national championships, three-time college coach of the year and Thursday, he was recognized for the impact Duke men's basketball has had on Make-A-Wish.
In March, ABC11 brought you the story of Antonio Sellers, a high school star basketball player who's been sidelined because of a brain tumor. Sellers sat on the baseline for Duke's game against UNC-Chapel Hill thanks to Make-A-Wish and Duke basketball.
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On Thursday, Krzyzewski and Duke men's basketball were honored with a Make-A-Wish national award, the 2020 Chris Greicius Award winner from the sports industry for Make-A-Wish America.
This award recognizes the exceptional wish-granting support exemplified by Coach K and the team that helps create life-changing wish experiences for children fighting critical illness.
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"To receive an award for having done it, to me, is kind of crazy," Krzyzewski said. "We should be giving you all awards. All that I know is when Antonio visited us with his parents, we didn't have to put lights on in Cameron Indoor Stadium, he lit up the whole gymnasium. He gave us a pregame speech, we won the game and more than that, we won each other's hearts."
Krzyzewski and the team have been granting wishes for more than a decade, including nine wishes since 2012. The Blue Devils are the first collegiate program nationally to earn the honor, which has been presented since 1990.