Monthly Archives: May 2010

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D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera is garnering interest from the nations elite

D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera is garnering the attention of the nations best. BDN Photo

D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera is a 6'4," 220 lb guard from Indianapolis' North Central High School, the alma mater of basketball players Eric Gordon and Jason Gardner as well as singer Babyface and Subway pitchman "Jared." The efficient and rugged sophomore, who, at times, was asked to play power forward for his high school team, helped lead the school to a State Title in the largest classification for Indiana, 4A, scoring twenty-five points in the state semi-finals and generating sixteen points and six rebounds in the Indiana State Championship game. Among those coaches in attendance for his state title game were Tom Crean, Bruce Weber, Roy Williams, Matt Painter, and Tubby Smith. After the season, the Associated Press named him to the Indiana All-State team, the only sophomore to make either the First or Second-Team All-State. Smith-Rivera's recruitment has naturally heated up and he spoke with us in his native Indiana about his recent achievements and the latest in his recruitment.

Can you talk about the run and experience of winning the state title?

I mean it was a great experience, but I really didn't know how to feel after the game. It was a great feeling afterwards, but I had butterflies before the game.

I wasn't there, but I heard it was a pretty big crowd.

Right, right, it was a pretty big crowd, but, throughout the season, we didn't have too much fan support. As we kept winning more and advancing, they started showing up.

What about making Second-Team All-State, regardless of class, in Indiana?

That was also a great feeling. I mean being All-State as a sophomore in this state was a big honor. It was a real honor to be associated with all of those guys at the top.

The forty-one point game you had the other at the AAU Tournament. How does that stack up with some of the other best games of your life? Were you just feeling it that day? What happened?

Yeah, it was actually my career high so far. It was just one of those days, where I envisioned it just going in. I was hitting everything.

Let's move to recruiting. Which schools are recruiting you? Who's [private] offered so far?

Purdue, Louisville, IU, Xavier, Cincinnati, Tennessee. They've all offered.

Now, which schools have expressed interest? I'm sure there's been a lot more than that.

Right, right. Absolutely, um, Kentucky has been expressing a lot of interest lately. Ohio State has been showing a lot, I mean, a lot of interest lately. North Carolina and Georgetown too.

In terms of a position, here they have you playing the one and two, while in high school, you played the four. What are most schools recruiting you as? And where do you actually like to play?

I prefer to play either or in college. I mean I'd like to be a combo guard. I think my versatility can be valuable to them.

Do you have a go-to move at this point? You caught it a lot on the high post and would either shoot the turnaround or blow by your man on a pump fake.

(laughs) I can't be giving away my moves right now. I do like to catch it there though and also just outside of the three-point line.

Now, you are one of the relatively rare kids who can function in either a half-court offense or just run and play full-court. Do you have a preference?

I like to play full-court. I love to get up and down.

Go back for a second to having to play the four for your high school team. What was that like and how do you think it helps you for when you come out and play a combo guard during the AAU season?

(Laughs) Right, right. It was a pretty awkward experience actually. I mean I played forward when I was younger because I was bigger than everybody else. I think it helps me see the floor a little differently.

How big are you now?

I'm 6'4" and about 220.

Who do you try to model your game after?

Deron Williams. Definitely Deron Williams. I think he's the most complete guard, right now, in the NBA. I just try to watch him and tailor my game towards his.

Have you taken any visits recently or do you have any planned?

Not recently, but I plan on taking quite a few in the near future. I plan on seeing Kentucky and Ohio State. If, on the same trip, we go to Washington D.C., then I'll see Georgetown, Virginia, and possibly North Carolina.

Will your mother be the one that you'll be seeking guidance from, whenever you do decide?

Most likely. Most likely, my mom.. and my father too.

Her name came up a lot when I was doing some background work.

Yeah, yeah.

What will you be looking for ideally in a college, whenever you do decide?

How good their business program is. I plan on majoring in business when I get to college. Hopefully, a program that gets up and down the floor and a coach that trusts me with the ball. That's really all I'm looking for.

Do you have any time in mind for when you'd like to decide by?

Sooner rather than later.

Well, now you've got more schools coming after you.

Right, right. I guess if I had my choice I'd rather get it over with sooner though.

Has Duke expressed any interest in you at all? I heard they've recently come into the picture.

They sent a letter to me recently, very recently actually. I haven't been able to speak with them, but I'd definitely like to. I liked Duke a lot when I visited for the tournament…the Bob Gibbons.

Well, what's your impression of Duke from afar?

Well, they just won the National Championship. What can you say? They're a great school, have a great basketball program, and have Coach K. I visited there last summer and saw a lot of the facilities.

Do you have plans right now, in terms of camps?

Well, right now, I plan on playing for Adidas Nations.

Do you watch a lot of college basketball?

I watch a lot more college basketball now than I do the NBA. It's a lot more competitive and passionate. Those guys are playing for something.

Big Ten? ACC? Big East?

I watch all of them really.

Did you have a favorite as a kid?

Well, when I was a kid, I really only watched the NBA. Now, everything's changed.

What would you like the audience to know about you?

I take the game very seriously and I love my family dearly.

That's good to hear. Now, would distance from your family be a factor at all?

No, not really

Thanks, D'Vauntes.

Absolutely. Any time. [/private]

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BDN’s Andrew Slater scores an in depth interview with Duke prospect Amile Jefferson

Amile Jefferson sat down with BDN's Andre Slater in Fort Wayne Indiana for an in depth interview with one of the nations top prospects - BDN PhotoFORT WAYNE, Indiana - Amile Jefferson is a nearly 6'8" sophomore forward from the Philadelphia area. This past season he scored 31 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in leading Friends Central to the Independent Schools State Title over Germantown Academy, 72-52. He was the only sophomore named to the first-team All-State team for the AA Class. At this past weekend's Speice Run 'N Slam All-Star Classic in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Jefferson opted to compete with the oldest age group and performed quite well for his Team Philly AAU program. After the initial game, Amile spoke with Blue Devil Nation about his state title, the latest in his recruitment, his impression of Duke and Coach Krzyzewski from his time spent at their Elite Camp, small forwards in the 2012 class, and the best cheese steak in Philadelphia.

Why don't we start with the championship game against Germantown? Talk about the win and also your performance. You obviously had a great game. Given the context, was it your best game to date?

(laughs) Yeah, it was a really good game, but, no, it wasn't my best. It was definitely a big win and I was happy we got that for our seniors. We had a great group of seniors and for those guys to leave on such a high note, instead of a loss, was such a big thing. Then, you know, for our last game, to be able to play at such a high level, it was definitely up there.

And they are always competitive.

Yeah, GA is always very good. So it was great to be able to beat them in the championship.

When I watched you in December in the Bronx, you were essentially the third or fourth option on offense. What happened between late December and March? Did they recognize that they needed to utilize you more or did you step up your game?

Well, I think I needed to establish more of a dominant role on the team for us [private] to be successful. By the end of the year, I think I, kind of, was starting to take off and not taking a back seat to anyone. We all needed to support one another and be able to step up if one of us wasn't playing well.

It was obviously a senior-laden team and one with several guys who are going to play at the D-One level. What do you feel you learned from the upperclassmen?

I picked up a lot. Guys like Terry Robinson...he's an absolute gym rat. Dominic Morris..

He's huge.

Yeah, he's huge and he always wants to get better. He wanted to work on his jump shot and make it consistent this season. I think I mostly learned about the need to consistently put in work to improve and not get satisfied.

Now, the word or, well, rumor is that you may be looking to transfer after this season. Do you want to comment on the record on the rumor?

(laughs) Well, let's just say that, right now, it's just a rumor.

Alright, well, let's move onto recruiting. What's the latest in your recruitment?

I'm wide open, but I have been looking at schools. After this school year is over, I'm going to sit down and look at the different schools that are recruiting me.

Do you have any hard offers at this point? If so, which schools?

West Virginia's offered, Penn State has offered, Wake Forest, Temple, and some others at this point.

Well, you're still a sophomore. I'm sure there are a lot of others that have expressed interest.

Oh, yes.

Now, you're around 6'8," but athletic. Do you prefer to play the three or the four? What are most schools recruiting you as?

Well, I like to play whatever my team needs. If the defender is really small, I like to take my man on the block. If it's a big guy or someone who's about my height, I'd like to take him on the wing. I guess I really like to play the three because it gives you more of an option of being able to play either out on the wing or down on the block.

Where do you like to catch the ball?

I like to catch it right outside of the paint or..

I thought you liked to catch it right outside of the paint, near the baseline.

Oh, that baseline area is like my favorite. You've got a lot of room to operate and you can still hit that mid-range jumper

You hit a few floaters over your man on the baseline tonight. Is that your go-to move at this point?

Yeah, it probably is.

I was wondering before if anyone is recruiting you as a step-out four. How tall are you now?

I'm 6'8."

And how much do you weight now?

Somewhere between 185 and 190.

Have you taken any visits yet? Do you have any planned?

No, I haven't taken any formal visits yet, but I did visit Duke's campus last summer. That one was great, but short. I don't have planned right now, though.

Alright. I'd like to get back to that in a moment, but how do you compare yourself to other threes in the class? Although there are a couple of quality bigs, the wings, particularly the depth of the wings, really stand out in your class.

We've got a very deep class of threes. I think we can all bring a little something different to the table. I just try to keep getting better and not worry about how I necessarily compare myself to the others, but I'm definitely aware of some the others.

Do you know where you'll be going to camp this year? NBA? LeBron?

Well, I just went to Adidas Nations in Florida a couple of weeks ago.

Right, I heard about you heading down to Orlando.

Yeah, exactly, that was fun.  I'm not sure of exactly where I'll be heading, but I know I'm going to be very busy this summer. (laughs)

Yeah, sure, now I know your father comes up quite a bit. Will he be the primary person that you will be turning to for guidance, whenever you do decide on a college?

Yes, he and my AAU coach, Cedric Jones. Those will be the two guys that I'll be turning to for guidance. They both have my interests at heart.

Well, when I saw him wearing that Nova shirt on the sidelines, I didn't know if that was a signal. I thought that maybe he was gonna kill  my article and also what the hell am I doing in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

(Laughs hard) No, don't worry about that.

Now, I know that, like the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, your dad is from West Philadelphia and went to West Philly high school. How did he feel about you going to Friends?

Oh, well, we went to Friends because they have great academics and it was only a blessing that they were able to get some of those seniors like Dominic and Robinson. I went there for the quality academics  and it only happened to become good at basketball. We didn't even know that those guys were coming. It's been great to be able to combine the benefits of great academics with now championship basketball.

Now, that hits on another topic I wanted to get your take on. Clearly, you've been able to fuse quality academics and basketball on the high school level. Will that be what you're looking for at the college level? What are some other things that you'll be looking for?

I'm really going to be looking for very similar things. I like getting the best of both worlds, but we really haven't even begun to discuss recruiting or what exactly I'll be looking for. I've been trying to hold off on making any decisions on my recruitment.

I wasn't trying put you on the spot. As you know, it's just relatively unusual that an excellent basketball player goes to a strong, academically challenging high school.

(laughs) No, I know. I know. No problem.

So that fans can check you out, do you know where your next AAU event is?

Um, probably either the Southern or

Where is that one now? Atlanta?

No, I think at the Boo Williams Complex.  If not that one, then definitely the Bob Gibbons in late May.

Speaking of the Triangle area and going back to  a prior answer, what was the Duke Elite Camp like last summer? You're obviously on their radar. Talk a little bit about your experience down there.

Well, I believe it was their first camp. I was really happy to be asked and loved the time that I had down there. I loved seeing the beautiful campus and where they get to play. We got to see a little of their new facilities, but I think we only played on where they get to play.

Cameron?

Yeah, exactly.

What was your impression of the school?

Well, I didn't really get to see much of the school because we had such a short time there, but I did get to see a lot of the basketball facilities and stuff like that. I was really only there for about a day, but I got to see their facilities and eat dinner with Coach K. We got to talk about the Olympic team. He was just a good guy. It was a real honor personally to be in his presence for any amount of time.  The whole experience I considered to be just a blessing.

One guy from your area that I was hoping to see with you was Savon Goodman. Are you guys looking to go to college together? Have you talked about it at all?

Right now, we play in the same league. We sometimes play with each other in the Sixteens, but, most of the time, we don't. This weekend, I'm playing up with the Seventeens.

Speaking of that, how do you feel about playing up with the Seventeens? I'm not sure if you know Quinn Cook, but he's a point guard on DC Assault. He was saying that he noticed a major difference between the two and that the players were much more physically mature and faster. It's got to make you better long-term.

Yeah, absolutely, there is just such a difference between the two. Guys are so much stronger, wiser, and more physical. Everyone is athletic and so you have to adjust and be able to box out and use the talents that you already have to your advantage. You have to play hard at all times because everybody is just bigger and stronger.

What's your biggest weakness right now?

I'd say getting lift on my jump shot. I'd say right now it frankly works because I'm bigger than the guy guarding me, but, long-term, I want to work on adding more lift to my jumper.

And what's your biggest strength? What makes you most dangerous?

In the post, I've got a lot of moves and, at this point, I can take my man in a variety of directions. I can also take a bigger defender off the dribble from the wing.

Versatility?

Yeah, my versatility.

Away from the court, what would you like the audience to know about you?

I'd like them to know that I'm a good guy.

Do you watch a lot of college basketball?

Yeah, I do. I watch a lot definitely.

Lastly, Pat's or Geno's?

(Laughs hard) Steaks?

C'mon, I know it's always an important issue in Philly.

(laughs) I can't say.

Alright, I understand if it's too political.

(Jefferson laughs. His AAU coach, Cedric Jones, comes in and answers Ishkabibble's and says that Geno's is overrated) Alright, I'm going to go with Ishkabibble's. They're great.

I'll have to check it out. Thanks a lot, fellas, for sticking around and we'll be keeping an eye out for you.

Thanks for interviewing me. [/private]

Duke Basketball

Carrick Felix is ready to face the challenges at Duke

Carrick Felix will be on campus in late May to prepare for the rigors of ACC Basketball. This is the first of a series of previews of the incoming players to the Duke program in the 2011 season. Felix told the Blue Devil Nation that he wanted to win his own national title while at Duke.

It was a typical day on the recruiting trail during an open period for Duke Assistant Coach Nate James, well, maybe not so typical in that he found himself in Southern Idaho which is a state the Blue Devils rarely if ever visit.  He was there to check out a seven foot behemoth Aziz Nidiaye, but it was a sleek athlete who unexpectedly caught his eye.

I hesitate to use the phrase diamond in the rough but it is more than appropriate when talking about JUCO transfer Carrick Felix.  James saw a lot of things he liked in Felix's game during the open gym and the future Blue Devil knew he had the opportunity to make an impression.  In fact, he made it a point to introduce himself to Duke's second year assistant in the coaches office after learning who he was, but the likely story is that he was more than aware of who was coming in.

It was March and Duke was just beginning what would turn out to be one of the most magical runs in Duke Basketball history where three seniors led a tight knit group to a national championship.   James in just his second year has already made an impact on Duke recruiting efforts and Felix was the first of three kids he played a big role with, the others being Michael Gbinije and Tyler Adams.

"I introduced myself to Coach James in our coaches offices and  then we get on the court.  He’s watching our center and I was just playing like I always play.  I play hard and practice hard and later that night he gave me a call and was excited about the way I played basketball.  Ever since then, he’s followed me everyday and we’ve developed a wonderful, wonderful relationship.  He’s actually playing like the big brother role right now," said Felix.

Not many people have seen Felix play other than on film but he adds a dimension to next seasons talented roster that wasn't there before.  Felix runs the court with ease and when open he wastes little time in flushing down a dunk.  He has the ability to be a stellar role player in the Blue Devils system if he continues to work and don't be surprised if he once again finds a way to standout once practice officially starts.

"It’s been a long journey with many ups and downs but Coach K and Nate James saw me and liked me and now I get the opportunity to be a Duke Basketball player and a part of their family.  I honestly worked for it.  I really worked for it, I worked real hard for it.  I’m excited and glad they’re giving me the opportunity," Felix told Blue Devil Nation.

Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski had only seen Felix on film but at the advice of James he took a look at a kid who was being courted by Arizona, Arizona State, Washington from the Pac 10 and Maryland and Clemson from the ACC not to mention West Virginia.

"He’s kind of like another person in my family.  I felt like I could talk to him about anything from the start.  We just clicked like we knew each other for years and I felt very, very comfortable around him and he did around me, so we really clicked," said Felix when asked about meeting Krzyzewski for the first time.

As we mentioned Felix has all the tools to play key roles especially on the defensive end,  "They’re going to use me as a defender.  On offense Coach K is excited and feels he can use me at any position because of my versatility.  He’s excited knowing he can use me a multiple positions and that’s what they need, so I’m excited about that and look forward to being the best player I can be," said Felix."

Felix's journey to play for the defending national champions wasn't always smooth but he persevered.  "My mom didn't even graduate from high school but she still pushed me and made me understand the importance of academics.  I was not a good student when I was younger. I didn’t know what I wanted to be in life so I eventually sat down with my mom.  We had a talk and identified what was important and academics is part of that..  I just want to do the best I can, just like I do on the court?  I want to work that same way in the class room if not harder.  I’m a student athlete first not an athlete-student."

With a good attitude and desire Felix now finds himself living the dream and he can't wait to get started in Durham.  In fact, he'll be on campus in just two weeks to learn the Blue Devils system and go through off season conditioning drills.  Those drills will be conducted by the aforementioned Nate James who will hold down the fort while Krzyzewski and his assistants Chris Collins and Steve Wojciechowski will be in Las Vegas training Team USA for another run at the Gold Medal.

Felix moved around a lot while he was growing up in that his Dad was a military man.  He somewhat reluctantly calls Arizona home in that he played his high school basketball there, but he has seen his share of destinations before he landed in Idaho.  Felix will now call Durham home and he already feels a part of the team.

"On my visit to Duke I was just talking to the coaches, but then I met the guys.  I talked to Nolan, Kyle, Mason and Miles Plumlee.  I hung out with Miles some but all of them welcomed me with open arms.  I really like that they made me feel comfortable.  I mean, I felt real comfortable, like a family and that right there … that was a big part of my decision.  I’ve been sending texts back and forth with Seth Curry since I left and he’s a pretty good guy and I think we can be really good friends.  I got along with all the guys, so I’m excited," said Felix.

BDN also asked Felix to describe his game in his own words for the many who had yet to see him play, "My game is unique [said with emphasis].  I’m not like a lot of other players … my best thing is my athleticism but I still kind of new to the game.  I need to dribble and shoot better, but I can kind of do it all, just unique.  You’ll see that when you see me play, the way I run, the way I move the ball, it’s not like anybody else."

Only time will tell if Felix is ready to contribute right away but unlike a true freshman, he brings some experience which should help him adjust to what he readily admits will be a more physical and faster paced game in the ACC.

"It’s been a long journey for me and I’m happy.  I’m just ready to be a Duke Blue Devil and play for Coach K and win a national championship.  That’s what I want to help them do so I have to work hard in order to give them the help they need to get the job done."

For more recruiting information join Blue Devil Nation Premium and gain full site access.  Recruiting analysts Andrew Slater, Patrick Cacchio and Mark Watson along with our great team will keep you abreast of all the latest happenings.  Check out our infamous interviews and analysis on key basketball and football prospects and then talk about it on the fastest growing members only message board around.  BDN deals in facts not rumors, so you don't have to wade through all the muck which clogs up most message boards.   Isn't it time you checked us out ?  We feel certain that you'll be glad you did.  If you liked this article, you'll love whats in our subscription section.  Help support BDN by joinging today.  On a side  note, LOL, we printed the draft by accident and our editor is out of the country.


Duke Basketball

Duke vs Butler – Let’s do it again!

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N..J. -  Duke University and Butler University will meet in a rematch of their dramatic NCAA National Championship game on Saturday, December 4 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, NJ.  The game will tip-off at 3:30 pm ET and will be televised live on ESPN.

Duke beat Butler in a 61-59 thriller to win its fourth national championship and end Butler's miracle run through the NCAA basketball tournament.

"The IZOD Center and the Meadowlands are synonymous with the best in college basketball because of games like this," said Dennis Robinson, New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority President and CEO.  "Duke and Butler played a championship game for the ages and I know the great fans of the metropolitan area are as excited as we are that they have agreed to this rematch."

Duke returns two starters and nine letterwinners from last year's team that captured the NCAA Championship as well as ACC Tournament and ACC regular season titles. The Blue Devils, led by Hall of Fame head coach Mike Krzyzewski, closed the year by winning 18 of their last 19 games to finish 35-5 overall and No. 1 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll. Preseason first team All-America candidates Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith are back after combining to average 35.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 2.2 steals per game a year ago. The duo along with junior Miles Plumlee (5.2 ppg. & 4.9 rpg.) will be joined by a talented group of underclassman that includes sophomores Seth Curry, Andre Dawkins, Ryan Kelly and Mason Plumlee as well as newcomers Carrick Felix, Josh Hairston, Kyrie Irving and Tyler Thornton.

"We are excited to play Butler next season in the Meadowlands," said Duke Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski. "Given the outstanding game played between Duke and Butler in the 2010 NCAA Championship, there will be added interest in next year's matchup. Surely, Coach Stevens will have his team ready to perform at a high level. We look forward to what will be a significant challenge."

Butler captured the attention of the nation in March with its run to the NCAA National Championship game.  The Bulldogs were the only team to defeat both a No. 1 seed (Syracuse) and a No. 2 seed (Kansas State) in the tournament, and Butler ended the season ranked No. 2 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll.  Head coach Brad Stevens guided the Bulldogs to a school-record 33-5 campaign, which included a 25-game winning streak - the nation's longest in 2009-10 - and Horizon League regular season and tournament championships.  The Bulldogs return starters Shelvin Mack (14.1 ppg), Matt Howard (11.6 ppg) and Ronald Nored (6.0 ppg).  Leading scorer and rebounder Gordon Hayward declared early for the NBA draft but has not signed with an agent. Butler was the only team in the nation to post an unbeaten conference record (18-0) in 2009-10.

"It's an honor for our program to be invited to play in the IZOD Center in December," said Butler Head Coach Brad Stevens. "Obviously, the challenge will be great, as we have a tremendous amount of respect for Duke."

Duke has a long history at the IZOD Center amassing an 18-1 record including five NCAA East Regional Final victories. Butler has never played at the Meadowlands.

Duke Basketball, Duke Football

More of Watzone’s Monday Musings

Monday Musings likes to salute the people behind the scenes, like these two lovely cheerleaders.

The Duke Blue Devils continue to reap the rewards of being crowned national champions.  The team will go to the White House to meet with President Obama soon and some of the players helped with the Jon Scheyer Foundation's May Madness Gaming event this past Saturday in Cameron Indoor Stadium.  Kryzyzewski and Duke's National Championship is the gift that keeps on giving in so many ways.

As you know by now, recruiting never stops and the men's basketball staff is mapping out their plans for the coming summer months.  The Duke staff are not allowed to attend events in May due to NCAA rules.  Speaking of rules, the NCAA will decide the future of camps soon, so stay tuned for that.  The consensus is that they will not allow events like The Tournament of Champions to be played on major college courts and or in venues.  This would drastically change the landscape and many of the current tournaments could soon be a thing of the past.

Speaking of events, BDN's Andrew Slater took in some action at the Spiece Field House event in Fort Wayne, Indiana this past weekend and he will soon be reporting on what he saw with interviews and a analysis for BDN Premium members.  The coverage will likely start some time tomorrow so check back in with BDN as we remain the most active Duke subscription site on the circuit.

For you recruitniks [not a real word butr appropriate]  it's also worth noting that Nike has already started to roll with changes in their camp sessions.  The most recent Boo Williams event was coined Nike EYBL Development camp and teams now play an even amount of games.  In the past, the teams played to meet in a championship game.  The verdict is still pending on whether or not people like the changes.

The Duke Football coaches have been out on the road as well and they'll now sit down to see which kids warrant an offer.  Duke most recently signed an interior lineman in

You may have noticed that BDN's Patrick Cacchio has been interviewing football prospects and he will continue to serve in that role.  He concentrated on the offensive line prospects the past couple of weeks and we'll switch gears to some skilled positions in the near future.  BDN is dedicated in covering Duke Football as many of you already know, but we've amped up our recruiting coverage and for now, all of the articles are free.  So, be sure to tell your friends that BDN is the place for football and we are certain our coverage of prospects will be just as good as our infamous basketball offerings.

I had a friend say the other day that he knew I had been busy going out on the road to cover an AAU event after following the team every step of the way to the national championship.   "You must be glad to have some free time now," he said.  I wish!  BDN stays busy all year round with recruiting and we constantly strive to come up with off season articles of interest.  We cover the Duke beat and more and by more we are the only subscription site to offer a ton of free articles to the Blue Devil Nation.  In short, check in often in the coming months or you'll be missing a lot.

You may have noticed a bit of slow coverage of late, well, we had a lot of our key people in transit on way or the other and every now and then I try to sneak a couple of days in.  The trouble with that is it never fails that something happens when I let my guard down, so not a lot of rest for the weary.

In closing this weeks Monday Musings, I want to thank the Blue Devil Nation for their support.  You guys make us constantly want to improve our coverage and we are always open to suggestions provided they are grounded in reality;)

Duke Basketball, Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Duke Basketball Recruiting is Alive and Well

Coach K wasted little time in coming over to ackonwledge his family after his amazingly special team won his fourth national title. Family is a keyword in the Blue Devils program as many players still seek advice and work out in the facilities. You can always come back to Duke if you are a player and Coach K uses his influence to help those who committed to him out. Coach K is pictured her with his daughter Debbie and his grandson on the court of Lucas Oil Arena - BDN Photo

DURHAM - Well, there is nothing like going into summer with a national championship in tow for Duke fans and the program.  It's amazing how many positives come out when you are the last team standing.    One of the first and most important things is how a title helps with recruiting.  The Blue Devils coaches cannot be out on the road this month and NCAA rules have shortened their window of opportunities in seeing kids but that is just a blip in the radar.

Duke garnered a lot of respect with their win which is evident when BDN talks to several future prospects on the recruiting trail.  Doors have been opened and negative recruiting against the Blue Devils is tougher for unscrupulous opponents.  Take your pick of a few accusations that must now be taken off the table.  Big men do not develop at Duke?  Did anyone see how awesome Brian Zoubek was down the stretch?

That is just one of many accusations used against Duke but we'll not get into that here for that is a story for another warm day.  What we can tell you is that when Duke calls they get kids attention.  A simple letter from Duke gets kids excited.  One prospect recently told BDN  in a proud manner that Duke was now involved for his services, yet all he had was a letter but his interest may mean the Blue Devils take a closer look.

The Duke staff sends feelers out to several prospects but only a few make the grade and remain on the radar after the staff takes in open gyms and the grassroots events otherwise known as AAU basketball.

And prospects and their parents are wising up to the negative barbs by doing more research on their own.  It is well documented that many in the media want to play Duke up as the evil giant or that they are hated by many, but if one digs deep you'll see that there is little research done prior to what seem like  monthly rant fests.  Many unproven accusations have been sent the Blue Devils way and the curious thing is this seems to come more from shoddy journalism of late.  All it takes is one hater to get the ball rolling and then another media type might pick it up and roll with it not knowing there were few proven facts.  This in turn snowballs due to less stringent media requirements of the day and gullible people who believe anything they read on the web.

Face it, in the dawning age of the world wide web, falsehoods are a dime a dozen and with major search engines giving "Joe," off the street a chance to pass himself off as a legitimate and better yet knowledgeable writer for one of the many fan type sites that are butchering traditional journalistic integrity.  I cannot tell you how many times I have to shoot down rumors in our members forum from people who take these want to be insiders or new age journalist word.  That would for example be the word of a guy with no track record who has never seen Duke play in person nor one who might live in say, ACC country.  Their sources?  Why it's what they hear in the sea of shoddy modern day reporting where assumptions often take the place of fact.

One of the prospects Krzyzewski wants to coach in the future is Austin Rivers, son of Glenn "Doc" Rivers former NBA player and coach of the Boston Celtics. Read more about the Rivers recruitment on BDN Premium

The truth is the truth and the fact is that Duke is more than ethical in their approach to recruiting and they have a track record for such.  And keep in mind that when you are on top, everybody literally gangs up on you.  When the Duke staff walks into events like say the Peach Jam a top notch Nike ran development camp for prospects, there will be respect for the job they did winning the title from other coaches, but once they have passed you can see some of them start to talk, heck, I've even heard it firsthand.

But the prospects themselves certainly know Coach K [Krzyzewski] is in the house and that they are coming off a national championship where they beat the numbers 2, 3, 10 and 12 teams in the country to gain the ultimate trophy.  But of course, Duke had an easy road, right?  Okay, enough on some members of the media and their hate.

The Blue Devils were already enjoying good recruiting efforts with Josh Hairston, Kyrie Irving and Tyler Thornton in the class of 2010 already in the fold and due on campus in late June.  But they have most recently received  two early verbal commitments from Michael Gbinije and Tyler Adams, two solid prospects which should prove to be part of a puzzle.

And if you dig some facts up, you'll find that both Gbinjie's and Adams families were in approval in that they knew the opportunity that was at hand for their sons.  I mean, how many kids parents wouldn't want to play for a coach who has four national titles, an Olympic Gold Medal and a track record for success?

Make no mistake, Krzyzewski's duties with Team USA have been a positive.  While I was trying to get away from talking more of the media I cannot help but reflect on how many negative articles existed saying that Kryzyzewski was hurting Duke by taking the job.  Are you kidding me?  The guy wins a Gold medal and in the process becomes an even better coach.

Tyler Adams a 6-9 banger from Mississippi is the latest prospect to cast his lot with the Blue Devils. BDN Photo

How attractive is this to kids knowing  that Krzyzewski talks on a regular basis with the likes of Kobe Bryant and LeBron James?   I mean, Kryzyzewski has proven he can mold the best our country has to offer into champions and this most certainly is a positive. in that he played a big role in putting USA basketball back on top.  A deep involvement in USA Basketball opens a lot of door and his contacts with NBA types along the way surely helps in learning from the games best.  In short, he can tell kids how Dwight Howard or the many other stars prepare and enlighten them on the little intangibles which could very well make them a better player.

Duke recruiting is also aided by the staff of Chris Collins, Nate James and Steve Wojciechowski [Wojo} form one of the best assistant coaching staffs in America and they can point to facilities akin to the best in the country as just one of the many selling points.  But they all come back to Coach in their spills and for good reason.

While interviewing Chris Collins going into the West Virginia game in Indianapolis I made the statement that I had not seen him look this fresh since in a decade.  Collins agreed with that statement and elaborated on it in an interview in BDN's archives and the very next day the man himself made the comment that he felt fresher than ever and Duke was finally getting some of the positive coverage it deserved.

It's hard to call Duke a rejuvenated program for they won more games in this decade than any other team, but rest assured some new approaches have worked wonders and it shouldn't be hard to see that Krzyzewski is firmly entrenched at Duke despite the silly if not ridiculous rumors that he was interested in the New Jersey Nets job which was more shoddy journalism.

Kryzyzewski is totally into his coaching these days and he is enjoying each and every challenge along the way.  The 2010 Duke team was special in many ways and their success is proof that Duke is still Duke and that they are always playing for the big prize .

And on the recruiting trail?  Duke is red hot and the proof of that will come soon enough when kids continue to want to play for a program that is family for life and one that is a proven winner on and off the court.  Negative recruiting and articles will continue but Duke forced the nation to take a deep look when the Blue Devils were in the national spotlight.  And they saw the truth, that the national champions were a tight knit group of great kids who showed the heart of their coach.  And none of them had their noses stuck up in the air as some would have you think.  They also saw the real Krzyzewski and the real program and the best thing of it all is that some media members may actually start to figure out that a team that helped gave CBS it's highest ratings in ten years is not so hated after all.

The proof is in the pudding and the ingredients formed a champion.

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