I will be on the AAU scene covering the Southern Invitational in Hampton, Virginia. Future Dukies Andre Dawkins, Josh Hairston and Tyler Thornton will show off their skills and we'll update you throughout the event on Blue Devil Nation Premium. Check back in to hear the latest on the recruiting trail. Get on the inside by joining BDN Premium today! You will then be activated and will have full access to the site including our members only message board. We look forward to seeing you.
Monthly Archives: May 2009
Gerald Henderson will stay in the NBA Draft
Sources close to the situation have told the Blue Devil Nation that Duke star Gerald Henderson has signed with Arn Tellem and that he will remain in the 2009 NBA Draft. Henderson leaves Duke after a successful junior season where he helped lead his team to an ACC Championship averaging 16.7 ppg. The Blue Devil Nation wishes Gerald the very best and will follow his progress in the future.
Thursday Morning Links – Plumlee, Redick and more
Future Dukie Mason Plumlee earned All America honors from the Louisville Courier. Here is the LINK.
Here is the NBA's early entry list with foreign players listed. The face of college hoops will change as players either come out or stay in the draft, so the watch begins.
The Boston Celtics tripped the Orlando Magic last evening to even their series at one game apiece. Former Duke standout JJ Redick was ejected from the game after arguing a call which gave him his sixth foul.
Duke Baseball swept Presbyterian and prepares for a stretch run in hopes of gaining a bid to the ACC Baseball Tournament which will be held in Durham Athletic Park, home of the Durham Bulls. LINK
Zack Greer is a candidate for the Tewaaraton Trophy, the highest individual honor in collegiate lacrosse. He is the only one of the five finalists announced Tuesday by the Tewaaraton Foundation who will not be able to advance his case further in the upcoming NCAA tournament. Greer, who finished tied with former Duke teammate Matt Danowski with 353 career points, used his final season of eligibility to play for Bryant and former Duke coach Mike Pressler. He also owns the Division I record with 206 goals. He helped the Bulldogs to a 10-5 record, but the Bryant program is transitioning to Division I and is not yet eligible for the national championship. Greer was among the Duke players who lost a season when the program was shut down following rape allegations against three players. The players were later cleared and all the members of the team who had eligibility left were given another year by the NCAA. Greer chose to transfer to Bryant.
Blue Devil Nation Premium will cover this weekend's Southern Invitational where members will hear from Josh Hairston, Andre Dawkins and Tyler Thornton among other prospects. So, be sure to stay close to the message board and site this weekend.
Talking Duke Basketball Recruiting – Barnes, Wall and more
Well, everything is a little quiet at the moment save the deluge of rain in the Triangle area. Let's talk a bit about the hot topics which will break the silence any day now -
Harrison Barnes had a nice tournament during this past weekend's Jayhawk Classic, where he led his team to the title. [private] One must keep in mind that this was a watered down event with concern to normal AAU talent. Still, Barnes once again put his All Iowa Attack team on his back. Not surprisingly, reports are mentioning how hard Barnes played, which I told you here after the Boo Williams Invitational. Barnes leaves it all on the court, giving 100% effort at all times, and that is a testament to his hard work. Being in Kansas country is nothing to be alarmed about, but it would be a huge mistake to count them out. I have said for some time now that Duke and Kansas are the big players, both schools getting in early. Keep in mind that Barnes will have taken his third visit to Durham before the end of summer, the last visit being a surprise for Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski's birthday. A lot of people want to think Barnes has given a silent verbal, but that is not true. While he likes Duke and has a great relationship with Coach K, this one will go on for a bit. Like many, I am hoping for a Kyle Singler-like situation. Singler was always considered a Duke lean, but he waited quite a while for his commitment. Provided Barnes does come to Duke, waiting it out will be a good thing in that the media attention will be at fever pitch. Look for other schools to try and become involved, but they'll have some ground to make up. One of those schools is, of course, North Carolina, who will get a visit in June but, as I have said before, don't be surprised if he takes in Duke that same weekend. Could the third time be the charm? We'll all have to wait and see.
Kyrie Irving's recruitment is taking off and every school in the country is trying to get in. I wouldn't be surprised to see Irving's list of ten change as time goes on. Kentucky is making a hard push and they have the Rod Strickland connection going for them, but Duke is still making Irving a priority recruit and Coach K will see him by July. Of course, K has to see a kid in person to offer a scholarship, but Irving knows one is there for him and has had good things to say about the Blue Devils. I will defer to Andrew for his thoughts on this one over on the message board. As strange as it may sound, I have yet to see Irving play in person, but that should be a thing of the past as summer moves in. Every now and then a player comes along who plays for an AAU team you just don't come across unless you live in the New Jersey-New York area.
Brandon Knight is playing it close to the vest, but he will get questioned until he decides to get serious about his recruitment. Knight is a really smart kid who values education, yet his future is in the NBA. Duke is still very much recruiting Knight and you cannot believe all of what you hear on the world wide web. In fact, take it from me and never read too much into any kid's comments.
Ray McCallum is another player the Duke staff covets, but I need to talk with Ray to get a good feel for where he is in the recruiting process. McCallum has a lot of suitors and he is moving up in the rankings by the day. Either Andrew of myself are sure to run up on him at an event soon.
Duke is still open to finding a bruising rebounding type kid in the class of 2010, but no legitimate names have turned up as of yet. At this time, the staff is going on what they hear of a lot of kids. It will be July before they can head to events and you can bet they will be out in force. At that time, names should start to emerge. As for the class of 2011, names are being taken, but it will be later this summer before serious ones emerge. In short, Duke is concentrating on finishing out the Wall recruitment and finishing up 2010.
Look for the recent John Wall situation to come to light by week's end. Wall didn't do anything that bad and it will be taken care of. Duke, like all others involved, are taking a wait and see approach. As for the recently announced date of May 20th for a decision date - don't hold your breath, for I haven't confirmed that as of yet. I told you that the trip to NCCU wouldn't happen when everyone else was saying it would. It then came to light in Adam Zangoria's blog that the visit didn't happen. As for Wall knowing where he is going, well, think again on that one too, for this one has a lot of dominoes which have to fall before there is a clear picture. I also told you that he may likely not trim his list, but I learned today that he actually could make a list shortly. This information was not from Wall but someone close to him. I can also tell you that his decision will be on a national network, likely ESPNU. One would have to cut the list to fit the hats in front, right?
With concerns to Eric Bledsoe, Duke couldn't touch him due to his grades. He will of course announce tomorrow between Kentucky and Memphis and anyone who tells you he is a lock one way or the other, is lying. Kentucky was the prohibitive favorite, but Memphis made quite an impression and Bledsoe was very comfortable on that visit. The Wildcats are going after every guard you can name these days and that may just scare Bledsoe off. However, the consensus says Kentucky, but I say, let's wait and see.
I would love to see Gerald Henderson return, but the reason he has not signed an agent is not what it might seem to some. I fully expect him to go to the league, but I will happily eat crow on this one.
I will be attending one of two AAU events this weekend, so you can look forward to coverage. [/private]
BDN Recruiting Focus – Tobias Harris rakes in offers and talks hoops
Tobias Harris is a skilled 6’8” junior forward from Dix Hills, NY. His father, Torrel, as a Duquesne Duke, played against the Blue Devils in the Holiday Doubleheader at the Raleigh Coliseum in December of 1977. Mr. Harris, who went on to become an NBA agent, has his sons workout with a friend and former client, George Gervin, in the summers. In the early 1990s, Torrel Harris then started his own apparel licensing business, with agreements for both the NFL and the NBA, and called it Unique Sports Generation. Recently, he began a joint venture with his eldest son, Torrel, Jr., selling Nintendo-licensed apparel, under the name Torrel Torrel. He began his own AAU program, Unique All-Stars, nearly ten years ago to ensure that his children would learn the fundamentals at a young age.
Although not hailing from a basketball hotbed nor playing for a marquee AAU program, his son, Tobias, has garnered interest from around the country, due to the match-up problems that he creates offensively. When guarded by smaller, quicker small forwards, Tobias takes his man down low. When guarded by comparable sized big men, Harris uses his shooting and basketball acumen to draw his defenders away from the basket and either take them off of the dribble or shoot over them. Recognizing that defense is his chief liability, he’s worked with renowned trainer Jerry Powell to lose body fat and gain agility, in order to be able to guard elite small forwards at the next level. After an opening round game at the Pitt Jam Fest in which he scored 29 points, Long Island native Tobias Harris spoke with Blue Devil Nation.
Blue Devil Nation: You’ve traveled extensively around the country. What schools have you visited so far?
Tobias Harris: I’ve visited a lot, like, Virginia, Maryland, Syracuse, UConn, Georgetown, West Virginia…
BDN: I keep hearing and reading about you going off to visit this school and that. It’s a good way for you to see how you might fit in at a program.
TH: Yeah, yeah. I’ve visited a lot more because the thing is I’ll go to the school’s “elite camps,” you know.
Blue Devil Nation: Now, you’ve recently cut down on your list of schools to eleven from roughly forty.
Tobias Harris: Yeah, I just cut it down.
BDN: Can you name the eleven off of the top of your head? [private]
TH: I think I know a couple. It’s like…Maryland, Syracuse, UConn…West Virginia, um, Rutgers, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech…there’s two others…Notre Dame and, oh, Louisville.
Blue Devil Nation: What were some of the things that you found in these schools that helped you to cut it down to eleven?
Tobias Harris: I’m definitely looking for academics and at their style of play.
BDN: What style of play do you feel your best suited to?
TH: A get-up-and-down style…just free flowing…where the forwards have the same opportunities as the guards
Blue Devil Nation: Speaking of that, what position are they mostly recruiting you for?
Tobias Harris: Small forward, you know, a face-up forward that can shoot the ball and do a lot of other things
BDN: How tall are you now?
TH: I’m about 6’8.”
BDN: You’ve grown a little since I spoke with you. The last time you said some schools were actually recruiting you as a two guard.
TH: Yeah, yeah. I’ve grown too tall to play the two.
Blue Devil Nation: Where are you going to camp this year?
Tobias Harris: Amare Stoudamire, LeBron, and the NBA Top 100. I’ve got to make sure that I handle my school work with Regents (NY state tests used to gauge knowledge of a subject matter) and stuff
BDN: I know you’re transferring out of Long Island Lutheran, but you won the state title. Can you talk about that run?
TH: It felt great. I thought it was a major achievement.
Blue Devil Nation: Which players do you try to model your game after?
Tobias Harris: I don’t really try to model my game after anyone in particular, but I try to take pieces of other people’s games. I like to take from Carmelo Anthony and Charlie Villanueva and they do influence me.
Blue Devil Nation: What are you planning on working on over the next eighteen months before you arrive on a college campus? What do you think you need to work on?
Tobias Harris: My defense...my offensive skills…more shooting.
Range?
BDN: Your shot?
TH: Well, my shot is really good right now, but I just think I can get it better.
BDN: In terms of who you will be seeking guidance from, will your father be the primary guy you’ll be turning to?
TH: Yeah, my father and my older brother.
BDN: Do you or did you have any favorite, in terms of conference affiliation?
TH: No, not really. I’m looking at ACC and Big East schools and Oklahoma.
Blue Devil Nation: What would you like the audience to know about you away from the court?
Tobias Harris: Just that I’m a good person and a humble guy. I’d like them to know that I’m a really hard worker and that I’ll do whatever it takes to succeed.
Blue Devil Nation: Now I know that you’ve gone to two high schools and you play for your father on the AAU circuit, but, in your experiences, what do you find to be the differences between high school and AAU competition?
Tobias Harris: It’s a lot different. In high school, sometimes you’re stuck you in one spot and just runs sets.
BDN: Do you ever play center in high school?
TH: No, I almost always play the three.
Blue Devil Nation: I saw you bringing up the ball quite a bit tonight. Are you just trying to work in some ball handling? Are you looking to do that a little bit more?
Tobias Harris: Yeah, I know I’m not going to play point guard in college or anything, but I still want to have a good handle and I think it helps with my ball handling.
Blue Devil Nation: How would you assess your leadership at this point?
Tobias Harris: I like to lead my team and I want to get everyone involved. I don’t want nobody to be sulking on the team so I just try to be very unselfish.
Blue Devil Nation: And your rebounding, can you touch on that?
Tobias Harris: Yeah, that’s a good benchmark for me. I try to box out and use my size to my advantage. At 6’8,” I usually have a size advantage against the guy I’m playing against so. I actually a lot of points on either put backs or getting fouled after offensive rebounds. I try to draw contact.
Blue Devil Nation: You’ve slimmed down and lost some of that body fat. What do you feel you’ve improved upon the most over the past year?
Tobias Harris: I think my defense and my ball-handling. I’ve been working with my trainer, Jerry Powell. My trainer has helped me a lot with getting in shape too.
BDN: Jerry Powell has been working with guys like Syl Landesberg and Lance Stephenson recently.
TH: Yeah, yeah, he’s helped me out a lot.
BDN: Now, your dad played at Duquesne and has gotten into coaching at the AAU level. Do you have any interest in getting into coaching once your playing career is over?
TH: No, not at all.
Blue Devil Nation: How about the apparel business? Do you have any interest in following your father and your brother into the family licensing apparel business?
Tobias Harris: Yeah, yeah. I want to own my own business, any kind of business.
BDN: Is that what you’d like to major in, business?
TH: Yeah, that’s what I want to major in.
BDN: Thanks a lot , Tobias
TH: Sure thing [/private]
Monday Links – Langdon, Redick, Tauliliili and Wall in the news
First off, John Wall, the nation's top-rated point guard, has been charged with breaking and entering by Raleigh Police. We'll have more on this development a bit later, but the incident happened on April the 27th and is just now coming to light for most outlets. Nothing was reported as being taken and sources are saying that the house wasn't occupied.
Former Duke linebacker Michael Tauliliili has signed a two year deal with the Indianapolis Colts.
Another former Dukie, JJ Redick, will have the unenviable task of guarding Ray Allen tonight as the Orlando-Boston series starts. Redick gave his team a huge lift off the bench and has a great opportunity to shine in a start this evening.
Trajan Langdon and CSKA Moscow fell just short of another Euroleague Basketball title yesterday. Langdon has been a star across the pond. I had the pleasure of watching the game on Fox Sports and on the last timeout, the Greek team could be heard in the huddle saying, "Watch "blanking" Langdon." CSKA comeback falls short
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