William "Bill" Kriesel is an American former college basketball player best known for his time as a forward for the Duke University Blue Devils in the mid-1960s. He was a key member of successful Duke teams under legendary coach Vic Bubas.
Early Life and College Career
Kriesel played for Duke University from 1962 to 1965. During his tenure, he was part of one of the most successful eras in Duke basketball history. He played alongside future NBA stars and Duke legends such as Jeff Mullins and Jack Marin.His most notable season was 1963-1964, when Duke reached the NCAA championship game, ultimately losing to UCLA. That team also won the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) championship. Kriesel contributed as a forward, providing depth and consistency to a high-achieving squad.
Post-Basketball Life
After his college basketball career, Kriesel pursued a career in business. Specific details of his post-basketball professional life are not widely publicized, but his legacy remains tied to his contributions to Duke's historic basketball programs of the 1960s.References
- Duke University Athletics archives
- ACC basketball historical records
- NCAA men's basketball tournament records