BDN Premium caught up with Josh Smith (6-9 Kentwood HS, Covington, WA) after he tossed in 36 points in Seattle Rotary Select's opening night win at the Boo Williams Invitational. Discuss this interview on our private message board.
Wow! Thirty six points, game winning shot in the opener, what's up with that?
Aw, I man (smiling) ... it felt good. I started out feeling good and kept on pushing it inside. We had a little jet lag in the first half but we kind of woke up. [private]
Is this your first AAU Tournament on the east coast?
Not my first on the east coast, but my first time here.
So, where have you been on the east coast with concerns to AAU ball?
New York, Cincinnati.
Who is recruiting you?
Well, everybody is recruiting me right now, but I don't have a list.
I am sure you have heard this question before, but is there any truth that it is down to UCLA and Washington for your services?
That's not true. I am not necessarily staying on the west coast. If I do, I do. I'm not totally sold on the west coast despite what people are saying. It's where ever I feel comfortable, east coast or west coast.
Which schools stay on you the hardest?
All the PAC-10 schools, Texas, Louisville, Carolina, Duke.
When is the last time Carolina or Duke got in touch with you?
They send me letters all the time. They call my Dad. Coach K and my coach are real close so ... my high school coach and they talk a lot.
When is the last time you talked with coaches from Duke or UNC?
It's been a while.
So, you are still open to Duke or UNC?
Yeah
Three words which best describe you as a person -
Calm, determined and funny.
How did you feel after hitting that winning shot?
It felt good. I felt kind of nervous because I was going to go up and dunk, but my knee gave way and I got the lay up.
I will elaborate more on Josh and Duke on the message board. This is an interview to get the ball rolling. [/private]
Gilchrist hit a three pointer from half court after a steal and Team Final scored 6 points in 3.1 seconds to defeat Boo Williams, despite a huge effort from Duke bound Andre Dawkins
Here is a sample of our live updates for Blue Devil Nation Premium members. The trial runs out at midnight, so take advantage now and witness the hardest working premium Duke site on the Internet. Join now and discuss the many happenings on our private message board.
Wow! Tremendous games today. I was all set to make the headline "The Andre Dawkins show" for his 27 points were a team high for Boo Williams and they held a 63-60 lead with possession of the ball and just seconds left on the clock. On the in bounds play, Team Final forced a turnover and had the ball with 1.3 ticks left. Then a floating three point shot by Tyreek Duren and it looked like OT. After Boo got it to Luke Cothran at half court who fumbled it and Mike Gilchrist threw in a three point shot from just left of center court. Team Final rushed over to the camera and Boo Williams' players were stunned that Team Final scored 6 points in 3.1 seconds to win. Unreal.
On the next court, All Ohio held on for a close win led by behemoth Jared Sullinger over Team Stat. Brandon Knight was injured in the first half and did not return after scoring 10 points.
To have been able to watch both of these close games was amazing.
But that's not all! I went across the way to catch Howard Pulley in their semi final bronze medal game. Upon entering the gym, Barnes drove to the hole for a slashing lay in. The next time down he nailed a three pointer but that was after he blocked the shot on the defensive end. If that wasn't enough, he threaded a pass to a cutting teammate for an assist on the third straight offensive possession. Barnes went on to score 26 points and his team has won three straight contests after dropping the opening two games. Barnes will play one more game which I will stay for. IOW, I am closing it out and staying for the duration.
The best I have seen - Barnes, Knight, Sullinger, McAdoo and Lamb would make up my first team Dawkins played really, really well after his first game. Much to come including a bevy of interviews and information.
Brandon Knight has over twenty points in three straight games and his team is 3-0
The Boo Williams Invitational is in full swing and Blue Devil Nation Premium members are getting live updates on the message board. Harrison Barnes is playing on court two trying to help his team survive as I am typing. On court three, Houston Hoops and Mac Irvine Fire are having a slamfest. On court four, Albany City Rocks just tied the game. For interviews well into the week join BDN Premium. Our trial offer runs out in mere hours.
Update - Harrison Barnes had 18 second half points and finished the game with 27. He nabbed seven boards, had three steals and two blocks. His defense on an out of bounds play caused Playground Elite to call a timeout and on the in bounds play he blanketed his man to alter the shot which was a miss. Barnes scored the go ahead basket on a slashing full court drive. More to come on Blue Devil Nation Premium.
Barnes was swarmed by the media after scoring 29 points BDN Photo
Harrison Barnes tossed in 29 points in Howard Pulley's opening game of the Boo Williams Invitational. Blue Devil Nation Premium was on hand to see Barnes try to lead the comeback and talked to the prospect after the game. Our coverage will continue through the weekend including live blogging on the BDN Premium Message Board.
All of a sudden you are in the middle of a Duke and UNC recruiting battle. What is that like?
It's an honor to be recruited by two great schools with such tradition.
You reached down deep and almost brought your team back scoring 29 points, but you looked a bit tired early in the game. Was this due to travel?
Yes, I did get a little tired early and that's from getting back into the groove playing again. We tried to make a run at the end there but just couldn't get over the top. [private]
What do you think of this media throng?
(laughing) Yes! During the high school season, I definitely got accustomed to the media.
And you are visiting UNC after the NBA Player Developmental Camp?
That is correct.
I am going to take a few weeks to evaluate some more schools and then after that I will try to trim the list.
In the next few weeks?
Yes. Because I've seen only three schools up close and it would be pretty hard to establish a leader at this point.
The schools recruiting you seem to have different systems, can you see yourself fitting in at any of them?
I think I am versatile in that I can play up and down basketball, but I can also be in a structured system. It's definitely good for me to look around and see what system fits me best. Whatever school I decide to go to, it's going to be a team that can contend for the national championship. Winning is my first priority.
Is there a certain type of school you are looking to go to?
I would say that whatever school I go to I could contribute in some way, whether it's being the man or not, I am going to contribute somehow.
You said you would cut your list of schools. Do you have an idea how many that might be?
At this point I am not sure. I will sit down and think about it before I take my official visits.
Will you take all five?
I will take as many as I need to.
What was it like for Roy to visit your school?
It was a really humbling experience, especially after they were coming off a national championship.
What are your thoughts on UNC winning the title?
They were my pick to win it the whole time, so ...
When is the last time you actually heard from coaches from Duke and UNC?
I talk to them on a frequent basis, both of them.
So who are you comfortable with?
A big part of recruiting is establishing a relationship so it's definitely important that I reach out to them.
How do you think you performed in the game?
I thought I could have played better but my defense is coming along.
What position do you see yourself playing in the pros?
Two guard.
Do you like playing defense?
I do pride myself on my defense and it has a long way to come, but I am getting there.
What do you say to people who feel you are a North Carolina or Duke kid?
To me its not ... I haven't narrowed down my list to just Duke and North Carolina and I think a lot of people have the assumption that those are the lead schools, but there are a lot of other schools in the mix. By the time it comes down to it, they might not even be in the final two. So I think it's a little premature to say that I am a Duke or North Carolina kid.
What do you like about Kansas?
I like the player and coach relationship. I feel that all the coaches are able to bond with the players.
And what is it about Duke?
I would say that it's a family thing going on there. After you leave if you are an alumni you are always welcomed back.
North Carolina?
They are really good at sending players to the next level.
Do you see any player at thee college level you compare to?
I haven't watched college that close until this year, so it's kind of hard to make that comparison right now. I grew up watching the NBA.
What are your thoughts on Coach Williams, K and Self?
Coach Williams is definitely basketball smart. He likes to share his expertise with his players. He's more hands on. Coach K is more instructing and preparing you for let's say the next level. Bill Self is a defensive minded coach as well as Ben Howland. I think each coach has a different style. [/private]
Coach David Cutcliffe and the football program has the support of Duke Athletic Director Kevin White. Coach Cutcliffe encourages fans to turn out for the annual spring football game on April the 18th.
Coach David Cutcliffe has made his way out through the dew-covered turf at Wallace Wade Stadium to spring practice several times in the past couple of weeks. As he makes that stroll each crisp spring morning, signs of change are in the backdrop. Construction workers are going at it early on both ends of Wade and, just behind the practice field itself, a visitors locker room is being erected.
But the construction doesn't stop there for it is happening on the field as well. Cutcliffe is now in his second year as coach of the Blue Devils and, like the construction crews, he has to tear down and build.
When Cutcliffe arrived in Durham, it was his job to demolish the old way of thinking around Duke Football. He assembled the best support staff in Duke Football history and then they immediately hit the road recruiting. After that, he led the win-thirsty Blue Devil Football program to four victories, but he didn't stop there.
To this day, Cutcliffe has demanded a work ethic from his players and he's been unafraid to challenge the fan base and those who can get the ball rolling on much needed changes to Wallace Wade Stadium and the football program in general.
"We're continuing to work on changing the atmosphere around the football program and we will not stop until that task is finished," stated Cutcliffe before last season began.
Cutcliffe has held to his promise thus far and he is making strides to build a program, not just a winning season. That kind of change takes time, but there is little doubt that Duke is finally on the right track and that football is once again exciting.
The Blue Devils suffered some key senior losses and must break in a lot of young players this spring. A quick look up and down the roster and then adding the incoming players clearly shows that Duke is one of the youngest, if not the youngest, teams in the ACC.
"We're so much further ahead than where we were last year, it's like night and day. Not a lot of numbers (players), but sometimes that's a good thing with a lot of young guys getting reps. It's been one of the more energetic springs I have been around. We are a faster football team on both sides of the ball. That's one of the things we felt like was key. Our conditioning level is excellent, which has allowed us to work hard," said Cutcliffe when questioned as to how spring practice had been going.
Coach Cutcliffe had also mentioned earlier this spring that, despite the losses and the youth replacing them, this looked like a football team. Perhaps he was referring to what the team looked like when he came in last year, for he more or less said they were fat and lazy -- or perhaps out of shape is a kinder term. I asked Cutcliffe if he could elaborate on what he meant when he said we looked like a football team and he replied -
"Just the overall fitness, bending our legs, playing lower, using our hands better - things that a football coach would look for. I don't want to confuse that statement with we are ready to take on the world, but it's starting to really look like football and when you can compete and the energy level is as high as it is it has that feel and sound at football."
Cutcliffe is still well aware that his team must replace some key components, especially on the offensive line.
"We have a lot of work to do, obviously, in replacing three starters in the offensive line. That's obviously a work in progress, as is replacing Eron Riley."
Despite those areas of concern, Duke quarterback Thaddeus Lewis recently told the Blue Devil Nation that the receivers had made good strides. That is good to hear from the senior who will lead the offense. But it was a player on the defensive side of the ball who said good things about the offensive line.
"Those guys are working really hard," said Duke linebacker Vinnie Rey. He continued, "Sometimes they get a pancake on us and sometimes we knock them back, but they are coming along."
When Cutcliffe was asked about Vinnie Rey and what he meant to this years team he stated -
"Vinnie Rey has had a great spring - Vinnie is our leader. He is our passionate and vocal and work leader and not just with our defense but with our football team."
Another concern is the secondary where Duke has some bodies but needs players to step up and claim the position with their play.
"We are still trying to deal with the secondary. I see some growth but, unfortunately, Leon [Wright] has been out with his hamstring again. That's allowed Zach Greene, Lee Butler, Colin Jones and Chris Rawakamba to get some work in. At safety, Matt Daniels is an extremely talented youngster and we've just got to take our execution to another level. We also have Byas and, of course, Catron Gainey is in there as well. The experiment with Greene has been slowed due to his injured ankle, so it's hard to evaluate there. But this does let us evaluate where we are and, hopefully, we will find some freshman help when we get here in the Fall, but we are not counting on that. Instead, we are trying to get with the squad we have here currently," said Cutcliffe
Last season the tight end position had little depth due to injury, but this season the position could prove to be a strength and may be the most improved unit.
"Seeing Brandon King and Huff back healthy and Danny Parker who has had back problems all fall is healthy is positive for the position. Getting Ryan Hall in early has been a big plus, so it is a position that could be a strength for us and I think it will be."
The Blue Devils have a few more practices before they go to the summer break and that means the spring game which will kick off on April 18th is just around the corner. BDN asked Cutcliffe about that game.
"I'm looking forward to the spring game but I am kind of wondering what the format is that I want to use. With the squad as small as it is, we may not be able to have a standard spring game, but I am still thinking about that and we'll send a release out to our fans soon. We had a great crowd last year and I am expecting a good crowd this year with alumni weekend being the same weekend. I am really anxious to get a huge crowd out here. We are going to make it fun and I can promise you it will look like football."
You can find out more information on this game by going to GoDuke.com and it would be nice to see a big turnout for the affair. In closing our chat, I asked Coach Cutcliffe if he had a message for the Blue Devil Nation [Duke fans] and the coach said without hesitation -
"I would tell the Duke fans the same thing I would tell our players in that this is year two. Anything we did including our fan support was awesome for year one, but isn't good enough for year two. Everybody needs to step up. This football program needs to step up and we will, but our fans need to step up. We need to break season ticket sales, we need to have a full stadium from the corners all the way to the bottom. It's time to go ... what are we waiting on? This is good football here and we're really excited and ready to start this thing."
All you have to do is read the names in the tags of this story to know what's ahead. If you still can't figure it out, a lengthy 1800-plus word recruiting update with the very latest information awaits you inside. Don't miss our one time trial offer to join Blue Devil Nation Premium, for it ends at midnight on Saturday. We think you will decide to stick around when that month is up. [private]
You will want to stay close to the Blue Devil Nation this weekend, for I will cover the Nike Boo Williams Invitational. The event is loaded this year and the four hour drive north will not seem so bad. The reason is that I get to see Harrison Barnes playing for Howard Pulley. For the first time, Barnes will play on the east coast. Well, there is the NBA Player Developmental Camp, but other than that, this is his first time this far east in AAU ball. BDN will be sure to get the latest from Barnes while we are there. I will also talk once again to one of our best recruiters, Andre Dawkins. As I told you a month or so ago, his athletic ability is starting to shine through. He will play for the host Boo Williams team, which will also feature young McAdoo. There is a possibility that Kyrie Irving will be in the house as well, but that has not been finalized yet. Irving sometimes plays for two AAU teams. Irving will also be visiting Duke very, very soon. There are a few other kids (one big name in particular), but I am not going to tip in those other sites until after the fact. Last season, the "borrowers" would send someone who would squirrel in the corner of the gym and watch every move we made. It's both sad and hilarious that this happens. Anyhow, this site deals in facts and you can trust the names we give you for our sources are pretty darn good. Our members know that new names often come out here and they sure as heck know this site works harder than anyone this time of year. Okay, enough whining and bragging 😉 I will have some occasional live updates on the message board.
Speaking of the Blue Devil Nation Premium Message Board... there are both long time members and new trial members who have yet to register. If you are not taking the occasional peek there, you are missing the full effect of BDN Premium. Keep in mind that you must register for the board in that it is not set up automatically upon payment. Also, we'd like to welcome the trial or new members and encourage all of you to post and introduce yourselves. Trust me, most of the members here lurk. That said, there is no better time to start posting than now.
Will Ryan Kelly work on his former D-One teammate John Wall?
A few of you have asked if Duke has any interest in Deshaun Painter who will not go to Florida. The answer is no. You may have already known that, but you probably don't know this - Josh Smith is no longer being recruited very hard. The reason is that Duke is concentrating their efforts on players they feel are realistic. Smith has long been rumored to be a UCLA lean and all of my sources have maintained that getting off the west coast is a long shot. Why should the Devils waste all that time with a kid in Washington state whose interest is lukewarm? Yeah, I know. We need a big bruising inside guy. First of all, Duke has not shied away from this type of player, but they have missed on some. The bottom line is getting a kid who can qualify and, for whatever reason, Boozer types have been few and far between in meeting the prerequisites. Duke feels as if their current front court is deep and the addition of Hairston in 2010 will add athleticism. Put Barnes in the mix and Duke is going after guards.
Still no official word on Gerald Henderson, but he will almost certainly go in the draft. The Hendersons in no way blind sided Duke. In fact, they were forthcoming in saying this would likely be the last year before the season started. Still, Henderson wants to go in the lottery and if he slips for some reason, he may well return. Keep in mind that true measurements and such will come into play during visits with NBA teams. Henderson could surely benefit from another year by learning to go to his left. His handle needs some work as well, but his athleticism and lineage makes him attractive. We should hear something on this in an official capacity next week.
Nate James will contact Eric Bledsoe to see if they have indeed been dropped off the final list. Turns out that if he dropped Duke, he did not tell them. Stay tuned.
Josh Hairston is playing very well and garnering attention. Here is an excerpt from Scouts.com - Hairston plays with a great deal of energy and effort, when engaged in the game. He has a versatile skill set, which allows him to dominate games when he tries. He has to alleviate his tendency to drift, especially offensively, when his team needs a critical bucket. This face-up 4-man has very good quickness and athleticism, which he uses to drive past bigger, slower defenders. Once in the paint, Hairston will finish with his left or right hand at the basket. He can also stretch defenses with his ability to connect on jumpers, with the occasional 3-pointer falling, but he needs to improve his perimeter consistency. He will also post up on the block and he demonstrates solid footwork with his back to the basket. As Hairston gets ready for the next level, he will have to add strength and muscle to his frame, which will make him a better finisher and rebounder on both ends of the floor. He also needs to continue his improvement on the defensive end, an area in which he said he needs better for college. Hairston plays an unselfish brand of basketball and readily accepts coaching. This young man, with his good character, should flourish throughout the summer and become a very good player at Duke, when he enrolls in the fall of 2010.
Ole Roy is making his move on Wall, but is it too late?
Anyone heard of this kid named John Wall? It amazes me how much false information and rumors abound on message boards, but that is the nature of the beast these days. Wall left on Tuesday to participate in the Nike Hoop Fest. In a recent brief conversation, he said he would sit down with UNC coach Roy Williams. But he also said that Duke is very much in this race and that he continues to get to know Coach K and was impressed with all that he has heard. Another source close to Wall, claims that Coach K is considered the most "straight up," of the remaining suitors. This source also stated that Wall is still very much undecided and that he would likely go until the end of April before a decision is reached.
While N.C. State has been rumored to be in the hunt, I think they are out. In fact, I feel he will not make the trip to Miami as well. Look for Wall to make a final list soon to set up a televised decision. I feel Kansas could be on that list but will not be a serious player. I am certain Duke, UNC and Kentucky will make the list and Memphis may sneak in as well. Wall's coaches do not like the fact that Williams is just now coming in and Wall himself is the only one giving them the time of day. This stems from them avoiding Wall in every way while recruiting others and is considered a slap in the face.
Brian Clifton is sometimes referred to as a handler, but he has been a part of Wall's life. Clifton (D-One AAU coach) had reservations about Duke for the Wall camp had heard plenty of the negative recruiting tales and didn't know what to believe. After the visit with Coach K, both Clifton and Wall realized that K was actually a pretty good guy. It may help Duke in that they have been open about anything from Kenny Boynton to how Wall will be utilized. It makes a little sense that another D-One teammate, Ryan Kelly, could help here as well. It also makes a little sense in that Clifton could start a pretty good thing in a pipeline to Duke which would surely benefit him. Deep down, both of them know Duke is a great opportunity.
While I am rambling, let's go back to Roy. Williams would get involved if for no other reason than to block Coach K and Duke from Wall. Maybe he's heard the visit went well and fears the Devils the outstanding PG?? Imagine UNC adding some negative recruiting to go with Calipari's .... could be that Roy wants Wall in Lexington. The rumors you hear about Wall wanting to stay close to home cannot be proven and he will certainly tell you that's not the case, but it could very well be true in the end. Look, pull up a chair and look to the wind, for every time it changes directions, there will be another twist. The Duke staff simply has to let this play out and hope that the offer of a key to drive the Duke machine will entice Wall to play his ball in Durham. And you surely realize that I used a lot of speculation and what-ifs above. We will continue to stay on top of this recruitment.
New Memphis Coach Josh Pastner is still trying to lure Xavier Henry's Father from his duties with the Oklahoma City AAU team. He was originally slated to take the basketball operations job, but that is on hold for now. Sources are now saying Kansas may be his destination but a few pieces have to fall into place. I will talk to Mr. Henry this weekend to see if I can get the facts. Solid sources are saying Wayne Ellington and Ty Lawson are talking with agents and will enter the draft. Ellington's final four MVP and late season play sealed the deal for him. Oddly, Lawson deseved the trophy. There were 32% no shows for the coaches NABC during the Final Four which pretty much guaranteed Detroit was a one time deal. Many complained about the logistical nightmares.
Okay, okay ... the other name I was hinting at above is Brandon Knight. Now, sit back and watch those corporate sites try to play catch up and magically get the information now that it is here;) Welcome to Blue Devil Nation Premium! [/private]
You must be logged in to post a comment.