We'll have updates coming soon enough, but for now, site maintenance is necessary. Thanks for your patience and check back soon for a one on one interview with Chris Collins and a look at a new prospect.
Monthly Archives: June 2010
Catching up with former Duke standout Elton Brand
DURHAM - BDN caught up to Elton Brand during the Coach K Academy and got his thoughts on his return to Duke and his future with the Philadelphia Sixers [76'ers]. We had a one on one interview save a few questions from folks who interrupted the conversation mid stream. We'll be talking more with Brand in the coming months, so look for an extended interview down the road. Please forgive the background noise in the audio tape and we'll be returning to print with the interviews in the future. Next up - One on one with Chris Collins
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BDN Premium gets to know Rashad Muhammad during the recent Pango’s event
Rashad Muhammad is the younger brother of the much heralded Shabazz Muhammad, HoopScoop's top ranked player in the class of 2012, but he is not overshadowed by his family's extensive athletic bloodlines. Rashad's father, Ron, played basketball at Southern California and his mother, Faye, was an All-American in track at Long Beach State. His older sister, Asia, who spent time at the Agassi Academy, is a budding tennis professional. The youngest Muhammad is a 6'4" guard, from Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas, NV, who will team with his older brother in a bid to bring the school three consecutive 4A state titles. Last weekend, he competed with Dream Vision at the Bob Gibbons AAU tournament in North Carolina and toured the schools of the Triangle region. This past weekend, he was invited to the Pangos All-American Camp in Long Beach, California. The rising sophomore played well enough to be selected to the Top 50 Cream of the Crop Game, one of only three members of the class of 2013. After the game, Rashad spoke with Blue Devil Nation about a variety of topics including his recruitment, how he compares, competes, and plays with Shabazz, and his favorite school growing up.
It's very early in the process, but what schools have expressed interest in you and do you have any firm offers so far?
I have two offers already from USC and Northwestern. I've gotten a lot of interest from UNLV, Arizona State, and Arizona as well as USC and Northwestern. There are a lot of other schools showing interest, but those are the only two offers.
What position are those schools looking at you for? What do you like to play?
I'm really more of a one now. I'm trying to learn it. I've played the two before, but I just want to learn the one right now.
What's your current height and weight?
I'm 6'4" and 180.
Who's your favorite player?
My favorite player is Kobe Bryant. Yeah (laughs)
How about competing against your brother? That's got to be a unique experience.
Yeah, it is. We always clash, but [private] it's all good. (laughs) I know he's one of the top players in the country.
You help him out as much as he helps you.
Yeah, that's the way we feel. It helps us both I think.
Now, do you guys work out together?
Yeah, we work out everyday.
Is that in Vegas or...
It's in Vegas.
What do you feel are the similarities and differences between you two guys? I had never seen you before this camp, but I have seen Shabazz.
Oh, really, he's more like an old-fashioned player. He tries to slash to the basket and play inside too. I think I'm more comfortable playing either on or off the ball. I can hit the open jumper.
What do you see as your strengths and weaknesses?
I think I need to get a little stronger that's my weakness. I think my strength is my shot. I can shoot the ball pretty well.
Now, can you shoot the ball better than him?
Oh, yeah, yeah (laughs).
What about your father? How does he help out?
He helps us a lot with our workouts. He gets on us and pushes us. He was a former player so that helps.
At USC?
Yeah, he played for USC in the early eighties.
Growing up, did you have a favorite school?
Oh, yeah, my dream school growing up was Duke, but right now I'm looking at a lot of schools.
Have they indicated that they're going to pursue you? I know it's very early for them and for you, but you were out there last weekend.
Yeah, we were out there, but maybe in a couple of years or whatever. We'll see.
I know they don't offer kids until later in the process. What was your impression of the school, after getting an opportunity to see it up close?
I liked the way they played and the facilities. It was really nice and then we went over and saw UNC.
Did you see the campus at all?
Oh, yeah, we saw that too and just had a nice tour. It was cool.
Last year, for whatever reason, they had you play on the JV team and put up big numbers. I know they're a great team and they're going to move you up this year. Talk about that and have you guys ever played together for an organized team?
Well, besides the middle school team, yeah, it's the first time we're going to play together.
How do you think that's going to work?
We play really well together. We know each other. I think it'll work out alright (laughs). We work well together.
Are you guys interested in playing in college together?
It's something we've thought about we'll see. We still have time. I'd definitely be interested in that.
Well, I'm sure some Duke fans are hoping you'll get to play together at your favorite school.
(laughs) Yeah, yeah
In this game, you knocked down several open threes. Do you feel completely comfortable shooting all the way out to the three point line at this point?
Yeah, I think that's my range right now.
Thanks a lot, Rashad. It was nice to meet you.
Yes,[nodding] thanks a lot [/private]
Spring Flashback – Brandon Connette audio
DURHAM - player to keep an eye on in the future is freshman quarterback Brandon Connette. Patrick Cacchio talked with Connette after the spring game where he took several snaps in an effort to replace the mending Sean Renfree. While Renfree will be the starter going into the season, Connette seems destined to earn the number two slot.
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In depth one on one with Duke prospect Chasson Randle
Chasson Randle is a 6'2" combo guard from Rock Island, Illinois. Last summer, he won a gold medal as a member of the USA U16 National Team in the FIBA Americas Tournament in Argentina. This past high school season Randle lost in the Illinois state sectional final to Jereme Richmond's Peoria Richwood's team, despite contributing twenty-two points and thirteen rebounds. With a reported 4.0 GPA, the young man, who describes himself as a "good kid," tries to exemplify the student-athlete that the NCAA lauds. He recently visited Duke University as part of the Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions and the school's interest in him has increased. This weekend he was invited to the Pangos All-American Camp and made the Top 25 Cream of the Crop game. Prior to the game, he spoke with Blue Devil Nation about a multitude of topics.
Let's start with recruiting. What visits do you have planned? I heard you were going to visit Stanford on Monday.
I haven't visited any so far, but, yes, this Monday I'll be visiting Stanford Monday while I'm on the west coast. I'll probably schedule a few more after this.
But there is nothing firm set up yet?
No, not yet.
What schools are heavily involved with you?
I'd have to say Stanford, Illinois, Purdue, Wisconsin, Kansas, Georgetown, and Duke.
Those are your six or seven schools. Now, have all of them offered you? [private]
No, not all of them. It's a mix.
Did you visit Duke last weekend as well?
I was there, but I didn't visit.
Do you still view this as early in your timeline?
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean I'm not opening it up, but I'm..
You're not going to be deciding in the next week.
Right, right.
How about in terms of position? You sometimes pt to a one. Are you a one or a two?lay like a two trying to conver
I can play both, wherever the coaches feel I'm a better use for.
Where do you feel more comfortable though? Let's say in high school, for example
Well, in high school, I play the two. I realize though that I'm realistically going to have to play the one at the next level. So, that's what I'm working on now.
Will distance be a factor for you? The majority of your schools are in the Midwest, but you've got schools on both coasts.
No, I don't think so. It'll be wherever I'm comfortable and wherever I fit in.
Where do you like to catch the ball?
Somewhere on the edges of the three point line so I don't get jammed if I'm playing the two. Somewhere on the wing where I can go to work and have room to either shoot it or take it to the basket.
In terms of your handle, let's say on a scale of one to ten, where is it now versus where you want it to be?
I'd probably say that it's like an eight. It's not where I want it to be and so I'm still working on it.
You're still tightening it up so that you can play either position, if need be.
Right, right.
How about in terms of modeling your game after some people, who would they be?
I try to take a little from different players. I try to take a little from Rondo.
Well, he's similar to you, in terms of physique.
Yeah, and I like to watch Kobe's approach to the game and the way he shoots the ball. I just try to take a little from both of them.
What's your height and weight right now?
I'm 6'2" and about 175.
Who will you seek guidance from before you ultimately decide upon a college?
My parents, my mom and dad, and my coaches, Mike Mullins, from my AAU team and coach Thom Sigel.
It's been reported that you were first in your class earlier this year. In terms of ultimately deciding upon a university, how important is the school's academic profile to you?
Right, right. I take my academics very seriously. It'll definitely be an important factor to me and will definitely be part of my decision.
What will be some of the other factors and what will you be looking for in the college that you ultimately decide upon?
Academically?
No, just in general.
Oh, I want to go to a school that I'm comfortable at and one where I can get valuable minutes.
By that, do you mean valuable minutes right off of the bat? Is early playing time something that's very important to you?
I'm going to have to work for it.
Well, all of those schools have guards that have talent so it's good that you recognize that you're going to have to beat out some talented players to earn minutes.
Right, right.
You just want an opportunity to be able to earn them.
Exactly right. You know I also want to know how comfortable I'm going to be with the coaching staff. Do I feel good around them? Do I feel comfortable?
How often are you allowed to speak with them at this point? Once a week yet?
Soon, it'll be like that, but I'm not sure. I think, right now, it's once a month.
Can you get a feel for them yet?
Well, I can call them as much as I want. It's okay. They'll e-mail you or whatever to try to get updates.
How do you feel about the process so far?
I'm enjoying it. A lot of kids would love to be in this position.
Absolutely, is it stressful, exciting..
It's all exciting.
What would you like the audience to know about you away from the court?
I think I'd like them to know that I'm a good kid and someone they can have faith in.
Thank God there's at least one of you out here. The world needs a few more.
(laughs) Thanks.
Who are some of the other kids on the basketball circuit, maybe the more high-profile names, that you're pretty close with?
I'm friends with Quinn Cook and Brad Beal.
I saw you sitting with Anthony Davis the past few days.
Yeah, Anthony Davis too. He's another Illinois kids too.
Speaking of Illinois, how did you choose to go with Illinois Wolves over say, Mac Irvin or Anthony's team MeanStreets?
After my freshman year of high school, my high school coach heard about them and then I just went up there and tried out and liked those guys.
Who's the best player that you've faced so far?
I'd have to say Evan Turner.
Another Illinois kid..he was a kid that was somewhat of a late bloomer and now he's developed himself into a lottery pick
Yeah, and a Naismith Player of the Year.
What do you view as your strengths and weaknesses?
I haven't perfected anything yet, so I need to just keep getting better at everything.
It looks like you've tightened up your body, gotten leaner, dropped body at, et cetera.
Yeah, well, I've actually added muscle so maybe that's it.
Alright, maybe. What do you feel you can bring to a program?
My leadership, my versatility and stability. I'm well prepared when I get out there.
Are you very competitive?
Yeah, very competitive.
How did you do this past high school season, as far as your team goes?
We did pretty well. We made it to the Sweet Sixteen, but lost to Jereme Richmond's team.
What's your range right now?
My range?
Yeah, how far out do you feel comfortable shooting the ball? In this game, you shot a lot of threes.
Oh, yeah, well my shot just wasn't falling at all today.
You had decent form but it looked like you weren't getting just enough lift.
Yeah, yeah.
How'd you do in that game?
I played pretty well. We went to the final four.
Which Duke coaches have you spoken with?h.
Coach Wojo.
What are your impressions of him so far?
He's just a straight up guy. He was a guard and he's direct and I'm sure he'll be a head coach someday, if he wants to be.
Now, I know there have been some reports that you were thinking about taking an additional day to tour around the campus, but that the cost became prohibitive to change your return flight at that time. Are you still planning on visiting them in the future?
Yeah, yeah. I definitely plan on visiting with them before I make my final decision.
Well, how were the practice facilities?
Oh, they were real nice. New and clean and just nice. It was a cool experience.
Thanks for your time, Chasson.
Thank you. [/private]
Monday Musings
Good Monday morning Blue Devil Nation! We'll start to churn out some interviews with the likes of Jay Bilas, Chris Collins, Chris Carrawell and Elton Brand as the week progresses. Of course, a lot of ex players were in town for the Coach K Academy which started earlier than normal due Krzyzewski's duties with Team USA. Needless to say, you'll enjoy hearing Bilas talk next season, Collins talk this past year, while CWell talks of future aspirations.
A trip to the Duke University Store will allow you to pick up plenty of national championship gear. Check out the new LAX Championship items and grab another men's basketball t-shirt while you're at it. Also, do not forget our sponsor football fanatics where you can get some really nice gear in a timely manner. The ad is located at the top of our main page.
BDN's Andre Slater was on the scene at Pango's [AAU Camp] this past weekend and he will bring you reports and interviews as the week goes on if you are a premium member. Quincy Miller won the event's most outstanding player and we'll be hearing more about that shortly. BDN Premium still has several prospect interviews on the way including updates on the biggest names on the recruiting radar.
Speaking of recruiting, the Duke Football coaches have just returned from the road and we'll take a look at the latest as we play a little catch up on that front this week. Our staff has had a lot going on of late and that has caused some temporary delays in coverage, but as many of you know, BDN supports Coach Cutcliffe and the football team and we'll attend pretty much every available event to bring you coverage of an up and coming program.
Pre season football magazines are rolling out and Duke is predicted 5th in the coastal division by almost everyone. The best projected record to date is 5-7 with 4-8 being the cumulative average. Our recommendation for the best publication is Phil Steele's College Football Annual. Also worthy of mention is that Elon is rated 2nd in the nation in the FCS by one publication and no lower than 6th nationally in any of them. In short, Elon is a pretty solid club that can give Duke problems on opening night.
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