Former Duke players have gathered in Durham to participate in the Coach K Academy where campers have a chance to live the Duke Basketball fantasy. As in the past, this means we'll hear from Coach Krzyzewski and that's always something that Duke fans love. BDN was on the scene and this is the first of a few video clips where Krzyzewski answers some interesting questions. These clips are not the ones you will find on local television stations.
In this clip, Krzyzewski was questioned about Austin Rivers adjustment to the college level and he then incorporated the entire incoming class into his answer. Bookmark Blue Devil Nation for Duke-centric coverage.
Free Football Friday! We’re having so much fun building our football coverage here at BDN, we thought we’d share with the whole class this week. In case you have been living under a rock, BDN is quickly becoming the place for the best Duke Football coverage around. We follow recruiting all offseason with prospect interviews, commitment stories (yeah, we broke the last three commitments, but who’s counting?), and we’re the only site that’s with the team all season long. Football Friday is our weekly look inside the world of Duke Football, so let’s get after it.
WR Max McCaffrey is Duke's 5th verbal commit in the class of 2012
One for the thumb
The Duke class of 2012 is up to five, after the commitment of WR Max McCaffrey earlier this week. Needless to say, the Duke staff is thrilled to add McCaffrey to the Blue Devil family. Max is the son of former NFL Pro Bowl receiver Ed McCaffrey, the nephew of former Duke men’s basketball player Billy McCaffrey, and the grandson of former Duke great Dave Sime. Max’s younger brother, Christian, is also a star at Valor Christian, defending back-to-back Colorado State Champions.
Preseason prognosticating
It’s the time of year when everyone gets to be an expert in college football. The 2011 preview publications are hitting newsstands and dozens of websites are publicizing their own predictions. Coming off a 3-win season, most of the prognosticators are not predicting a bowl for the Blue Devils in 2011, with many picking Duke to finish last in the ACC Coastal Division. Duke has a tough schedule in front of them this year, but a young and hungry team that is more than capable of winning ball games. We’ll have our full predictions in the coming weeks as the season approaches.
Kelby Brown preparing to lead Duke defense
Most of the aforementioned prognosticators have pointed to the ACC-worst Duke defense as the biggest concern for the 2011 Blue Devils, and it’s no secret. Duke has question marks on the defensive side of the ball, especially up front, where only a handful of upperclassmen return. The Duke linebackers should be led by a healthy Kelby Brown in 2011, who will be joined by his younger brother Kyler Brown. ESPN’s Heather Dinich caught up with Kelby this week, who sounds ready to bring some swagger back to the Duke defense.
Football camp kicks off next week
Duke will host dozens of high school prospects next week for the first of two one-day summer football camps. One-day camps have historically been a great chance for prospects to impress coaches and earn additional offers, and you can bet that BDN will bring you the best coverage possible from Duke’s camps this year.
Recruiting #SCOOP
Will St. John Bosco WR Justin Johnson be the next Duke commitment?
You know we always save the best for last here at Football Friday, even when it’s free. Duke hosted California WR Justin Johnson on an unofficial visit today, and he had the following to say to the Blue Devil Nation:
The visit was great. I loved the campus, I love the way they have their academics set up to assit the football players. I just think it’s an all-around great school. I got a chance to check out all the facilities from the weight room to the locker room to the field and got a chance to see the new indoor practice field in the making. I met Coach Cutcliffe and I think he’s an awesome coach and I love his passion for the game. At the end I got a chance to check out the Duke annual sale and bought a lot of gear. Commitment is on my mind and may be done soon.
Needless to say, check back with BDN over the weekend for the latest from Justin on his visit and his decision. Have a great week – WE ARE DUKE!
Pictured here is Rasheed Sulaimon and you can hear the latest on the future Blue Devil by joining BDN Premium, our extended subscription service. A ton of interviews and information awaits you inside! BDN Photo
LOS ANGELES - Duke started off hot with their 2012 recruiting class in February, picking up two five star commitments in Rasheed Sulaimon and Alex Murphy all in a week’s span. Since then, Alex has graduated early and is now coming to Duke with the 2011 class leaving Rasheed as the sole 2012 commit. Rasheed showed off great defense this past weekend at the Nike EYBL in Los Angeles despite hurting his ankle after a made 3 point shot. He displayed a quality shooting touch as well as a solid handle that allowed him to get to the basket on more than one occasion. BDN was able to catch up briefly with the 2012 commit and pick his brain on a few things.
BDN: Can you describe the play that you hurt your ankle?
RS: Oh, well, L.J (L.J Rose, 2012 guard) drove and kicked the ball out to me because the guy helped, and two people rushed at me but I still could get the shot off, so I just elevated and I stroked it, and when I came down my foot landed on Archie Goodwin’s foot and my ankle kind of twisted and I heard a pop.
Ouch, that hurts my ankle just hearing about it. You went back in for a little bit and got some good run in.
Yea you know I don’t think it’s severe, it was just in the moment, it hurts a lot now but I think it’ll be good.
Well it was good you were able to get back in and test it out.
Yea, yea. So right now it’s [private] swelled up a little bit on me and it’s kind of paining me right now but I’ll be fine, I’m just going to ice it down and take some Advil and I’ll be ready for the next game.
Now you mentioned Archie earlier (Archie Goodwin, 2012 wing), what’s it like to play against him?
Me and him are actually really good friends so we’ve been talking about this matchup for awhile. He’s just a very explosive player ya know. Out on the open court he can finish above the rim, he’s very strong going both ways, so you know it was a real challenge. But I just kind of read his moves and relied on my help to help me out if he got past me.
I noticed you were on him a lot and were really locking him down, but once you left with the injury he got kind of wide eyed and figured he could start attacking the hoop now.
(laughs) Yea yea!
Something a little different here: When you’re bringing the ball down the court tell me what you’re looking for, what’s going through your mind?
Well when I’m coming down the court honestly I’m looking for weak spots in the defense ya know. I’m looking at where I can attack or where I can make the pass to get someone or myself an open look. If they’re playing zone you try and swing the ball very quickly to try and get an open look and maybe attack the middle. And when they are on man you try and look for the gaps so you can get the ball there and shoot from the gaps. I’m just always looking for the weaknesses in the defenses.
You’ve got a big matchup later today against Rodney Purvis and CP3. I know you’re close with Rodney, have you spoken with him about the matchup?
Oh yea man, same thing with Archie. We both knew we were going to play each other when we got down here so we texted a lot back and forth and talked about this game. He hurt his ankle before L.A so I was just telling him to get ready for L.A. and I got a text back from him telling me to be ready for L.A too. Ya know it’ll be real fun, going against Rodney he’s a great player, great finisher and real strong so I’m really looking forward to it.
He’s got a young teammate named Theo Pinson, have you ever played against him?
Na I haven’t, but I’ve definitely heard of him. One of my teammates Justin Jackson was talking about him cause he’s rated really high. He’ll probably get to match up against him.
Will you be attending any camps after this event?
Yea I’ll be going to the NBA Top 100 Camp, the Deron Williams Skills Academy, and the Lebron James Skills Academy.
I always see you talking to some of the 2012 recruits, have you had a chance to talk to Tony Parker this weekend?
Oh yea, I’ve texted him and seen him here quite a bit. I still talk to him about it. From the looks of it Duke still has a good chance and they are on his list. I’m just going to keep pushing it and messaging him about Duke so he’ll keep thinking about it and hopefully he’ll make that move.
Last question here: What’s your role like on Houston Hoops? I know you’ve got a lot of talented guards so are they asking you to be a scorer more or a facilitator? Both?
Well yea since we have such great guards in myself, L.J Rose, and J-Mychal Reese, the scoring is kind of spread out. Ya know anyone of us can score and we have some other players that can score as well so my role is just to bring energy, lock up the best perimeter guy on the opposite team and to score when it’s there. I try to do that every game to try and help us win.
Thanks for your time. Good luck the rest of the summer.
Tony Parker, left, clowns about with Alex Poythress. BDN Premium followed both the Georgia Star and DUke prospects in Los Angeles. BDN Photo, Caleb
LOS ANGELES - Not many players have won three state titles, let alone only in three years. Not many players have the opportunity to say they are playing for a fourth state title. 2012 big man Tony Parker can say these things and this upcoming high school season he and his Miller Grove team will have a chance to pursue another title. The Duke prospect had an incredible junior year and is continuing his success on the AAU circuit in the Nike EYBL. Since last summer the Georgia big man has clearly toned up, a testament to his work ethic. After three sessions of the EYBL his Georgia Stars have compiled a solid 11-4 record ensuring them a spot in the Nike Peach Jam this upcoming July. BDN was able to do a quick check in with the 6’9 big man.
BDN: I saw you take Kyle Anderson to the side after the game yesterday, what did you guys talk about?
TP: Oh man I’ve been playing against Kyle since about 6th grade, I know him real well. He played on USA with me so you [private] know we’re real close, we have a good friendship.
You seemed to be the peacemaker so to speak.
Just telling him it was a great game and apologizing for the disrespectful stuff ya know. He’s a really great kid and a good basketball player.
At this point do you have a preference or comfort to facing up or having your back to the basket?
Well right now back to the basket is easier but I have to have a face up game to compete against double teams. It adds another level to my game.
You seem to like that little fade away from about 5-10 feet.
Yea it’s been working for me.
I have to say you look much more toned from last year.
Yea I’ve been going to strength and conditioning every day, my strength and conditioning coach is really great. You know during school we go at six in the morning and now we’re going at 9am because school is over. Every day I get better with him, I’m getting faster and stronger, and just an overall better basketball player.
Does he travel with you guys?
No sir he didn’t make it out here.
How do you feel your defense is at this point? Do you see improvements?
Oh yea definitely I see improvements. At this point my defense is ok but I can improve. I can block more shots but I’m doing a good job at altering shots on guards who attack the basket.
What about helping out your teammates on defense? How do you try and do that?
You always have to protect your point guards in order to get the ball back. I’m always calling screens to let them know they’re coming.
Kind of like the eyes in the back of their head?
Yes sir. I’m their eyes because they can’t see behind them so I have to protect them.
Will you be at any camps this summer?
I’ll be at the Amar’e camp and NBA camp; probably the Lebron one and the King City Classic.
Being deep into the recruiting process will you cut your list anytime soon?
Yes sir I’ll probably cut it late July or sooner.
Will you be making any visits soon?
Yes I should be going to Memphis on Tuesday when we get back.
LOS ANGELES - When scanning the country for the top hot beds of talent in hoops’ we often think of New York, Los Angeles, Indiana, the DMV area, and of course Chicago. Some of the biggest names in hoops have come from The Windy City such as current NBA finalist and NBA Champion Dwyane Wade, this year’s league MVP Derrick Rose, 12 time NBA All-Star and Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas, Tim Hardaway and many more. Taking a look at the current crop of Chicago products and the future still looks bright for one of the hoops capitals of the country.
Who do we look to for that future? None other than 6’7 215 lb Jabari Parker of Simeon Career Academy. Though giant in stature, Parker is very friendly at heart, speaking very highly of his teammates and seemingly always willing to give others his time. Currently sitting at the top of his class, Jabari displays advanced skill for his age, a trait likely strengthened by the aid of his father, Sonny Parker , who spent some time in the NBA with the Golden State Warriors.
BDN was able to catch up with Jabari at the Nike EYBL Session #3 here in Los Angeles this past weekend.
BDN: I’m going to start with something a little different. You’ve got a pretty good freshman teammate in Jahlil Okafor (2014 6’10 255 lb from Whitney Young), tell me a bit about him.
JP: Oh yea he’s dominating right now even though he’s playing up, ya know. I think he’s the best player in the country as a freshman, playing up with the 17 year olds he’s showing a lot of dominance in the paint. He’s real good, he’s very fluent, he’s agile; he can run for his size, he can shoot.
Do you have any new schools involved recently? And who is heavily involved with you right now?
Lately I have had Mizzou and Utah St. that just offered me. Kansas, Duke, Washington, and Illinois are really coming at me hard.
Do you have any visits set up soon?
No, not really. I’m just trying to focus on this AAU circuit you know, and just really getting better.
After this event there is some time until the Nike Peach Jam, will you be headed out to any camps?
Oh yea, right after USA camp I have to go out to the Kevin Durant Skills Camp.
Tell me a little a bit the USA camp (Parker was named to the 2011-2012 USA Developmental National Team) and how it feels to be invited?
Oh man it’s just a blessing you know. Supporting your country and having an opportunity to eventually play for them is a great feeling. You look at some of the players that have played for USA Basketball in the past it’s an honor to be following in their footsteps.
Absolutely must be a thrill. One last question, has your role changed at all from the beginning of the AAU season up until now?
Yea my role has gotten a bit bigger you know, having to become more of a play maker as well as score a lot. They are running a lot of offense through me lately. I try to score but also always keep my teammates involved you know, and try and rebound.
Thanks for your time, Jabari.
Anytime man, thanks.
BDN Premium has an overload of interviews coming your way. Look for a more in depth chat with Jabari coming next week.
WR Max McCaffrey is Duke's 5th verbal commit in the class of 2012
Head Coach David Cutcliffe and the Blue Devils have added their 5th verbal commitment to the class of 2012 today from the state of Colorado. Max McCaffrey informed the Duke coaching staff of his decision on Wednesday afternoon. McCaffrey is a 6’3” 190 pound wide receiver prospect from Highlands Ranch, Colorado. As a receiver and defensive back, Max helped lead Valor Christian to back-to-back 4A State Championship in his sophomore and junior seasons. The athletic junior, who also plays basketball and track, had received scholarship offers from Arizona State, Connecticut, and Wake Forest. Max is the son of former NFL WR Ed McCaffrey and the nephew of former Duke men’s basketball player Billy McCaffrey.
Check back with BDN for more on the newest Blue Devil.
Former Duke players have gathered in Durham to participate in the Coach K Academy where campers have a chance to live the Duke Basketball fantasy. As in the past, this means we'll hear from Coach Krzyzewski and that's always something that Duke fans love. BDN was on the scene and this is the first of a few video clips where Krzyzewski answers some interesting questions. These clips are not the ones you will find on local television stations.
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