What we know about Duke guard Michael Savarino, Coach K's grandson who's charged with DWI

DURHAM — After news broke of Duke basketball's Michael Savarino — coach Mike Krzyzewski's grandson — being arrested for driving while impaired over the weekend, the junior guard has received more attention than ever.

The Durham Academy graduate and son of Krzyzewski's oldest daughter, Debbie, who is an assistant athletic director at Duke.

When Savarino joined Duke's squad in 2019, Observer reporter Rodd Baxley wrote about his background and Coach K's offer to let him join the team as a walk-on back when he was in the sixth grade.

Here's what we know about Michael Savarino from that story which, as it appeared online on Sept. 24, 2019, is posted below:

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Who is Coach K grandson Michael Savarino?

Growing up, Michael Savarino “never really talked about basketball” with his grandfather, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski.

But there’s one conversation Savarino will likely never forget.

“There was one instance in sixth grade where (Krzyzewski) sat my brother (Joey) and I down and said, ‘If either of you want to walk-on, that opportunity will always be there,’" Savarino recalled.

“I don’t think he remembers that conversation. But — trust me — I remember that conversation.”

Now, the 18-year-old Savarino is set to play for his 72-year-old grandfather as a freshman walk-on with the Blue Devils.

Donning his white No. 30 Duke jersey — a nod to associate head coach Jon Scheyer — on Monday inside Cameron Indoor Stadium, Savarino couldn’t stop smiling as he talked about the opportunity to play for Krzyzewski.

Now, he just has to become accustomed to calling his grandfather “Coach” instead of “Poppy.”

Savarino, who played his prep basketball at Durham Academy, had other college options. The U.S. Military Academy, where Krzyzewski played and coached, Columbia and several Division II programs were among his suitors.

But Krzyzewski said Savarino earned his way onto the team and has garnered the respect of his teammates throughout the summer.

"He’s not on the team because he’s my grandson,” Krzyzewski said.

“He’d be a pretty good Division II player, but he wanted to come to Duke if he could get in. He knows the lay of the land. He’s really helped us, and he’s been accepted by his teammates as Michael. Or Mike. Or whatever the hell they call him. Knucklehead probably sometimes.”

But was there ever really another choice?

“Honestly, I think I knew I wanted to come here my whole life,” Savarino said with a smile.

“This is my dream school and I’m just grateful to be here.”

And for the first time in his coaching career, Krzyzewski is getting feedback from a player’s grandmother. Mickie Krzyzewski, Mike’s wife, has started looking at the performance charts, checking to see if her grandson is getting some burn in practice. But as a walk-on, Savarino’s opportunities are limited.

“It’s the first time a grandmother has given me a hard time about playing time,” Mike Krzyzewski said with a laugh.

Savarino is the younger son of Krzyzewski’s oldest daughter, Debbie. So far, so good on that front.

“The mother, so far, has been OK,” Krzyzewski said. “But we haven’t played any games.”

Still, if he gets a chance to play this season, Savarino will be ready to add that moment to his memory bank.

“I just hope my whole family is here when it happens just because everything will come full circle,” he said.

“I feel like I’m gonna be shaking … I’m ready for it, but I’m also really nervous about it.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Duke Coach K grandson: What we know about Michael Savarino DWI arrest