Dallas’ Real J.R. : An Interview With Julius Randle

6'9" Julius Randle at the LeBron James Skills Academy, Photo Provided by Position Sports

Despite being the youngest member of the United States U-18 team, 6'9" Julius Randle led the squad, which included one college sophomore and nine incoming college freshmen, in scoring, rebounding, and blocked shots.

Duke Recruit Julius Randle, Photo by Andrew Slater

When speaking of Randle, USA Men's U-18 National Team finalist and fellow Duke recruit Austin Nichols said, "He’s like a 6’9” point guard. He’s huge, he can get in the lane whenever he wants to. He’s a great player. He can shoot it, he can dribble, he can do whatever. I love playing with him. He makes me better every single time. He raises your game." In the FIBA Americas Championship game against Brazil, the tournament's home country, Randle rose to the occasion, as the McKinney, Texas native scored eighteen points and grabbed twelve rebounds to help Team USA secure the gold medal.

This was not the first championship for Randle, an avid Lakers fan, this year. In March, he led Prestonwood Christian Academy in Plano, TX, to its second state high school title in his three years. The left-handed Randle scored twenty-six points in the team's championship victory over John Paul II HS, also of Plano.

Julius Randle of the Texas Titans, Photo by Andrew Slater

Prestonwood played a very challenging schedule, competing in the Beach Ball Classic in South Carolina, the HoopHall Classic in Massachusetts, and the City of Palms in Florida, where the then-junior Randle captured the MVP award, after outplaying seniors Ricardo Gathers, Shabazz Muhammad, and Isaiah Austin in consecutive games.  For the season, Randle, a MaxPreps Junior All-American, averaged 21.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists for the Lions.

On the AAU circuit, the ultra-competitive Randle forms a lethal one-two punch with 6'5" Matt Jones, a sharpshooter who has committed to Duke University, for the Texas Titans. One Titans parent described them as their version of Batman and Robin. They play with the trust, comfort, mutual respect, and seamlessness that is formed by playing together over the years on the hardwood and asphalt. The duo has helped lead the Titans to a 15-5 record during Nike's EYBL games, where Randle's mother, Carolyn, a former basketball player at University of Texas-Arlington, has been a constant and steadying presence.

Julius Randle, who veteran scout Tom Konchalski described as having "a Wayman Tisdale body," has been as dominant as any player over the duration of the Nike EYBL season. Despite being frequently double-teamed, he's leading or among the leaders in multiple statistical categories, including total points, rebounds, free throw attempts, and defensive rebounds, and in total has averaged ten rebounds and nearly eighteen points per game during EYBL play.

Point-Forward Julius Randle, Photo by Andrew Slater

In the marquee matchup of the AAU season, Randle and Jabari Parker, the consensus top two players in the class of 2013, went head-to-head in Oakland, California as part of the Nike EYBL. On a court with as many as four future professionals, Randle dominated the game, scoring 23 points and snatching 13 rebounds, while Jones helped hold Parker to fourteen points and six rebounds in the Titans' 63-59 victory.  Many were hoping for a rematch at the upcoming Peach Jam, but Parker suffered a foot injury while competing with the USA U-17 team in Kaunas, Lithuania, and will reportedly be sidelined for Nike's marquee AAU event.

After Randle visited the Duke campus in Durham, NC last January, the Blue Devil coaching staff was a fixture at Randle's AAU  games in April. Duke coach Jeff Capel has now developed a lengthy and strong relationship with the Texas star and his mother.  The recent commitment of 6'8" wing Rodney Hood may mean that the 6'9" Randle becomes Duke's primary recruiting target in the class of 2013.

Prestonwood Christian's Julius Randle, Photo by Andrew Slater

Over the past year, Randle's work with trainers Jeff Webster and Tyler Relph, both former college basketball players, has helped him improve his ball-handling as well as his conditioning and speed by trimming his body fat through intensive cardiovascular work.

Recently, Julius Randle spoke with me about a variety of topics, including what he'll be looking for in a college program, the matchup with Jabari Parker, and playing alongside Matt Jones.

 

Let’s start with USA Basketball. 

It was a great experience. I mean, it was a way different experience than anything I ever had. It was really amazing for me and I really enjoyed it.

I didn’t talk to you right after the matchup with Jabari, but it seemed like both of you guys were pretty emotional both before and after the game.

Yeah, yeah, it was highly anticipated all weekend. I just had to go out there and do what I had to do.

What was the mindset going in and what were you feeling after you got the win and you played great?

My mindset was pretty much the same as any other game, which is to go out there and destroy. To just go out there and be who I am. I put a lot of hard work in and it helps me to build my confidence and so I expect to see results.

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I had wanted to ask you this awhile ago, but I’ll ask it now. Was winning the second state title different for you than winning it as a freshman? Do you feel more ownership or leadership on this one?

I mean, it’s always a special thing, but you win one and you just feel like you want to get another one.  It’s always a special experience for me. 

 

You had games during the regular season when you were putting up 50 points, 46 points.

(laughs) It just felt like the basket was an ocean that day.

How has playing a challenging high school schedule in events like the City of Palms, the Hoop Hall Classic, Beach Ball Classic, etc. help prepare you for AAU ball and camps like this?

I mean, it just always has me well-tested. Every game I go out there just keeps me on my toes. It forces me to always play my A-game. It mentally keeps me sharp. It develops me as a player by putting me against good players every game. 

It also helps you deal with all of the traveling and everything.

Yeah, it does.

And what’s it like playing as a one-two combo with Matt Jones? You guys have that sort of coveted inside-outside game that programs really like.

I’ve been playing with Matt for years, so he’s a great player. He’s always been a hard worker and it shows up in the games.  I know whenever I’m in a game with him, I can always depend on him.

Can you give the audience a quick scouting report on Matt Jones?

He's one of the best shooters in the country. He can score now in a variety of ways. He's been working hard on his defense and can guard almost anybody. He's got great size for a guard too. He's definitely one of my best friends.

In terms of visits, I thought that I heard you were going to visit Kentucky and N.C. State officially. Have you visited anything recently? I mean, I don’t know how you’d have time. And do you have any others planned?

No, no, I didn’t have time to visit any schools recently, but I got to sit down and see what visits I want to take.  

If you had to choose between the two, would you choose a hard coach or more of a buddy coach?

I guess I’m just looking for a coach that I can really trust. A hard coach is fine with me because I know he’s going to push me, because I know in the back of his mind he has my best interest. That’s basically what I’m looking for. 

I know some guys seem to be looking for a friend.

Yeah, no, that’s not me. I’m just looking for a coach that’s going to push me to be the best player that I can physically be. That’s all I can ask for.

You were talking before about going out and destroying people. The one thing that I noticed about your game is that you have this sort of internal fire that if somebody knocks you, if somebody challenges you, that you sort of have this really competitive thing inside of you that you don’t necessarily see with a lot of big guys. Is that an accurate statement do you think?

Yeah, I just go out there and play with a chip on my shoulder. Anything, the littlest thing, can piss me off. 

(laugh) 

Yeah, anything can light a fire under me. I mean, any extra motivation is fine, but I’m self-motivated. 

That’s what I was getting at. What about a leadership role for you? Do you view yourself as a leader at this point?

Yeah, I mean, I try to be vocal a little bit, but I also go out there and show my teammates the level of effort that they need to bring. 

Did you have that on the USA team as well?

Oh, yeah. 

I didn’t know what the dynamics were.

Marcus Smart was probably our leader on that team. He’s the big-time leader. We kind of just wanted to take the identity of the team, just hard workers. We just try and prepare for the games and stuff like that. 

At this point in your career, what do you view yourself as? More of a face-up player or a back-to-the-basket guy?

I definitely feel that I’m more of a face-up guy at this point. I definitely feel more comfortable facing up. It’s something I’ve worked on to get me to this point. I like to play on the perimeter against great defenders and then take the smaller defenders on the post.  

I would say the one thing that has noticeably improved in your game over the last year is your handle. You’ve gone from doing maybe 2-3 dribbles and pull up to now bringing the ball up the court and looking like you’re more comfortable putting it on the floor in half-court sets. I used to think it was a bit of a vanity thing, but you turned it into an asset. I know you liked Lebron James. Was that the sort of model you were going for as a 6’8,” 6’9” guy? Was that the kind of mold that you were going for?

Yes, just a point-forward or whatever. 

Yeah, that’s what I mean.

Yeah, I feel like I can now do a lot of other things on the court. It’s just given me mobility.

In the past, you mentioned that one of your long-term goals was to win an NCAA Championship in your home area of Dallas. 

Yeah, it’s a goal of mine. That’s just something I want to do. 

Actually, speaking of Texas, do you have a rivalry with the Harrison twins at all?

No, not really. I mean, I haven’t played them in a while. They’re great players, so when we play, it’s always a battle. 

For the others who don’t know, describe your relationship with Coach (Jeff) Webster.

I’ve known him since the fifth grade. He’s always had my back. I know he’s always going to be there for me. 

In terms of your recruitment, what are the factors that will help you ultimately decide on a college?

Number one is a coach that I know I can trust, number two is education, and number three is of course going to develop me. Those are really the three things.

Do you know when you’re going to cut down on your list of schools?

I’m going to sit down and think about what schools I really want to get serious about and I’ll probably decide after the AAU season, after the summer probably. I haven’t really thought about the number of schools that I want to cut it down to.

(Another interviewer passing through) What’s your general interest level of Kentucky?

I mean, I guess it’s generally pretty high. They’ve been recruiting me since my freshman year.

What would you say you’ve worked on the most over the past year?

Just my in-between game. 

What are your expectations heading into the Peach Jam? 

I mean, I go in with the expectation that we’ll win it. 

Who would you say is the best defense against you?

I guess I’d say box-and-one.

When you see someone for the first time, like for example in this game, James Young, what are you trying to establish? What is your mindset heading into it?

My mindset is pretty much the same, even if it is for the first time.  It’s just attack, attack, attack.

In terms of that issue, do you think you have to intimidate your opponent with aggression?

No, no, it’s just my mindset of attacking. 

Before you were mentioning about playing with a chip on your shoulder. Away from the court, has it ever been an issue in terms of you shutting it off? I mean, you seem to be a pretty happy kid.

No, it really hasn’t been a problem for me. I’ve been able to separate the two pretty well. 

When you talk with college basketball coaches, do you prefer to talk about purely basketball or other sort of life things?

It really doesn’t matter to me. Any conversation is fine.

Sure. I remember that you were a Lakers fan. What did you think of their acquisition of Steve Nash and what do you think their chances are next year?

I mean, I just hope they play good next year and they have a chance to win it. 

Do rankings matter to you at all?

No, not at all. I just want to be the best that I can be.

Is trust an issue for you? Before you were saying that you wanted to be able to trust the coaches.

No, I mean, I have my circle of people that I trust. 

I saw that you tweeted about being a dream chaser on NBA draft night and why you wanted to be drafted two years from that night.

It’s just something I set out to do. It’s a goal of mine. 

What do your mother and your sister think of all of this? I know that they’re very tight with you. You had told me that you loved them to death.

They just support me in all of the different things that I do. They make me have the confidence to move forward and work. It’s unconditional. 

Do you hate doing interviews? (laugh)

(laughs) Oh no, it’s fine. 

In terms of position, what do you think of yourself as? 

I like to think of myself as a point-forward.

You work with Tyler Relph…

Yeah, he pushes me. He’s been a great trainer for me.  

Physically, one thing that’s clearly noticeable about you this year versus last year is that you’ve gotten leaner. What’s been the key to that? Cardio? Nutrition? Changing your diet?

I would say diet and cardio. That’s what I would tell anybody to work on. It’s helped me a lot. 

What are you down to in terms of weight and body fat?

I’m down to 235 and I don’t really know my body fat. 

Speaking of recommendations, one of your teammates out here was a talented freshman named Diamond Stone. What would be your advice be for a freshman like him? I mean, you’re not that far removed.

I would say don’t get caught up into the hype. Just focus on yourself and getting better and how you can help your team. Don’t get caught up in all of the rest of the stuff that will come at you. 

Because you were once that highly touted freshman..not that you’re that old now.

Yeah, exactly. I feel like I was in those shoes just a little while ago. I know what they’re going through.

What is your relationship like with the Duke coaches?

I mean, I have a great relationship with them. I talk to them all of the time. They talk to my mom a lot. You know, it’s going to come down to a trust thing.

Would you say you trust them?

Yeah, I’d say I trust them. It’s just going to be about what system fits best for me.

Alright, that’s it. Thank you so much.

Alright, thanks a lot.

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Conner Vernon Named to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List

Duke WR Conner Vernon scores his 1st of 2 TDs against Tulane last year -BDN Photo

DURHAM, N.C. -- Duke senior wide receiver Conner Vernon has been named to the 49-member Biletnikoff Award Watch List. The Biletnikoff Award is presented annually by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation to the most outstanding wide receiver in college football.

A senior from Miami, Fla., Vernon is the nation's active leader in pass receptions (198) and receiving yards (2,675) and enters the 2012 season with a streak of 35 consecutive games with at least one catch. Last year, he caught 73 passes for 956 yards and six touchdowns to become the first player in ACC history with multiple seasons of 70-plus receptions.

Vernon will open his final season in Durham within reach of the ACC's all-time records for receptions and receiving yards, currently standing 33 catches shy of Clemson's Aaron Kelly's league standard of 232 and 841 yards away from the conference yardage mark of 3,517 held by Florida State's Peter Warrick.

Vernon is one of eight representatives from the ACC on the list, joining Jheranie Boyd (North Carolina), Michael Campanaro (Wake Forest), Marcus Davis (Virginia Tech), Willie Haulstead (Florida State), Erik Highsmith (North Carolina), DeAndre Hopkins (Clemson) and Allen Hurns (Miami (Fla.)).

Previous winners of the award include Bobby Engram (1994; Penn State), Terry Glenn (1995; Ohio State), Marcus Harris (Wyoming; 1996), Randy Moss (Marshall; 1997), Troy Edwards (Louisiana Tech; 1998), Troy Walters (Stanford; 1999), Antonio Bryant (Pittsburgh; 2000), Josh Reed (LSU; 2001), Charles Rogers (Michigan State; 2002), Larry Fitzgerald (Pittsburgh; 2003), Braylon Edwards (Michigan; 2004), Mike Hass (Oregon State; 2005), Calvin Johnson (Georgia Tech; 2006), Michael Crabtree (Texas Tech; 2007 & 2008), Golden Tate (Notre Dame; 2009) and Justin Blackmon (Oklahoma State, 2010 & 2011).

The Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, Inc., (TQC Foundation), the creator and sponsor of the Biletnikoff Award (presented annually to the nation's outstanding college football receiver), is an independent, charitable organization ... for more visit GoDuke.com

BDN Monday Musings – Irving, Plums, Peach Jam, Pro Am, Football Approaching — and More

I took this picture of Coach K upon his return with the first Gold his team earned. Let's hope he can do it again and BDN will once again greet him at the RDI Airport.

There is always a lot happening around Duke athletics, and this coming week is no different.  BDN Monday Musings takes a look around  in our latest group of tidbits.

Kyrie Irving injured again

Kyrie Irving suffered an untimely injury when, during a Cavaliers practice, he hit his hand out of frustration -- breaking a bone in the hand -- and will now be out of action until the start of training camp.  Irving is, of course, the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year who most recently was a member of USA Basketball's NBA Select Team.  Here is more on his injury.  BDN wishes him a speedy recovery.  For the record, according to BDN's recruiting analyst who was recently in Las Vegas watching Team USA's preparations, Kyrie's play was as good as any guard in the USA camp.

The Nike Peach Jam is upon us

One of the more popular stops on the AAU circuit is the Nike Peach Jam, which is held in North Augusta, SC, just minutes from the site of the Masters golf tournament.  This event provides coaches with one of their last opportunities to scout the Nike kids.  Only the top teams qualify for the tournament, which ultimately crowns the best team on the "Swoosh" circuit.  In fact, the importance of the event caused several players to back out of the Nike Hoops Summit this past weekend.

Several key Duke prospects will participate in the Peach Jam, and BDN will be there to bring you all the action.  Our most recent offering for premium members is a very interesting interview with big man Jahlil Okafor, who stated on record how bad his team wanted to win it.   The Nike Peach Jam was one of the first events that Blue Devil Nation covered, and it's always one of my personal favorites.  BDN has now been around for ten years and our message board is celebrating its 5th anniversary this season.  Want more great coverage?  Join today!

Team USA preps and also entertains the troops

What an exciting summer it is for Duke fans, as they get to see coach Mike Krzyzewski try to mold another gold medal-winning national team.  During yesterday's practice several members of our military and their families got to watch their heroes work out at the National Guard Armory in Washington, D.C.   “They humble us. I mean they do so much for our country and represent our flag,” said Timberwolves and Team USA forward Kevin Love.  “We just go out there and play basketball. So they are the reason we have our freedom.”  Team USA will take on Brazil today; here is the team's entire schedule through theLondon Olympics.

Duke Football

Just 47 days remain until the Duke football team kicks it off against Florida International in Wallace Wade Stadium on September 1st at 7:00 EST.  There is no update on Blair Holliday, who was recently injured in a horrific boating accident.  Please keep his family and Blair in your prayers. But Duke Football will have to suck it up and prepare to start practice, where they will undoubtedly be hampered by the loss of Holliday at wideout, where he was slated to start.  In fact, this is the position that will be watched most closely in the pre-season by media and coaches alike.

The ACC Kickoff happens in Greensboro this coming Sunday.  This event marks the unofficial media start to the season, as coaches and players meet and the pre-season projected standings and All-ACC teams are released.  BDN will be there as always to bring you full coverage, including the comments of Duke Coach David Cutcliffe.

Elton Brand

In a move designed to shed $18 million from their payroll, Elton Brand was released by the Philadelphia 76ers.  But Brand was quickly picked up and signed by the Dallas Mavericks, who outbid the rest of the league for his services.

 

My man, Rick Crank is a heck of a photographer and we'll see more of his work soon.

Mason Plumlee named to Honor Court

Mason Plumlee was named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches 2011-12 Honors Court today. The Honors Court awards the talents and gifts that these men possess off the court and the hard work they exhibit in the classroom.  Plumlee, a double major in Psychology and Cultural Anthropology, also received CoSIDA First Team Academic All-America honors last season. On the court, he was named third team All-ACC while averaging 11.1 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. Plumlee also shot 57.2% from the floor and finished the year with 12 double-doubles and a school record 60 dunks.

North Carolina Pro-Am

The N.C. Pro-Am has kicked into high gear on the campus of N.C. Central University, and more Duke players could be participating in the event this week, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.  There really hasn't been enough play thus far to warrant us passing on our opinions of the players we've seen, but that will change in the coming weeks.  There are several interviews from the event up on the site already, and even more for members on the message board.

Miles Plumlee is a hit

Miles Plumlee was named to the NBA's Orlando summer league's First Team.  Check out his video from Dime Magazine.

Syracuse is set to join the ACC

It's official!  Syracuse will join the ACC in July of 2013.  Check out this link.

A Golden Present and Future: An Update With Jahlil Okafor

6'11" Jahlil Okafor, MVP of the FIBA 17U World Championships, Photo by Andrew Slater

"Run your own race."

-Coach Mike Krzyzewski

 

Big men sometimes have a reputation for reaching their full potential later than do players at other positions. But at sixteen, Jahlil Okafor may already be the next great American center. The grandson of Nigerian immigrants, the 6'11" Okafor was born in Arkansas, but he's been raised in the City of Big Shoulders, Chicago.  Recently, in Kaunas, Lithuania, the remarkably efficient center won the MVP at the FIBA U-17 World Championships, averaging 13.8 points and 8.3 rebounds in just over 19 minutes per contest, while shooting 59.5% from the floor.

This AAU season, he's formed a potent duo for the Mac Irvin Fire with 6'8" Jabari Parker, a Duke recruit who was recently featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated.  Okafor is scheduled to compete with the Chicago-based AAU program  in the Nike Peach Jam next week in North Augusta, SC.  During Nike's EYBL season, Okafor, a MaxPreps Sophomore All-American and an All-City player at Whitney Young HS, averaged nearly twelve points and six rebounds, while shooting a blistering 69.2%, second highest of any player overall.

On Tuesday, USA Basketball flew the gold medal-winning U-17 team to Las Vegas to meet with this year's United

As Bright As His Future, The Gold Medal of Jahlil Okafor. Photo by Andrew Slater

States Men's National Team, which was training for the upcoming Olympics in London, England. Jahlil, an amiable and bright young man who is blessed with an infectious smile and a baritone voice, was able to watch the Olympic squad practice under Coach Mike Krzyzewski and scrimmage against the USA Select team, featuring Kyrie Irving. A rising junior in high school, Okafor took pictures with the NBA's Most Valuable Player, LeBron James, and the NBA's scoring leader, Kevin Durant, while watching his favorite Olympic team member, Kobe Bryant.

At the practice, Jahlil, the first player that Coach K offered a Duke scholarship to in the class of 2014, graciously offered to let me hold his newly-minted gold medal and then spoke with me about a variety of topics, including a USA Basketball teammate that he's decided to play with in college.

 

 

 

What was the team experience like for you with USA Basketball? Obviously, you must've dominated them, in order to get the MVP. The word is that they may not let you back in Europe. 

(laughs) It was amazing. You remember we started the process almost two years ago, in October 2010. Around that time, the goal was to win a gold medal. It's been a two-year process. To go down there and win, with everybody playing the way they did and, you know, everybody getting along, it was just a perfect experience.

This was a tight unit.

Yes, very tight. We're all brothers. We all love each other. We all get along very well. We won every game by forty or more.

I know. The stats kept coming back and it just looked like a misprint or video game numbers.

Exactly, what we were able to do on the court was almost ridiculous. We all got along so well too. Now, when I'll be away from these guys, I almost don't know what I'll do without them. It was amazing.

Now, you're seeing Team USA right here. They flew you out to Vegas and we're in the same gym as some of the greatest players who've ever stepped on a court.

(laughs) Yeah, it's just ridiculous. We were just in a small room with LeBron, Melo, KD, Kobe, Blake Griffin, CP3, Deron Williams, you know, all of those guys.

It's a little mind blowing.

Yeah, it definitely is. It's incredible to watch them talk to each other and watch them talk with Coach K and watch them talk over the game plan. We were just on the side watching, but, yeah, like you said, it was mind blowing.

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Are you going to watch practice and the scrimmages?

Yeah, I'm definitely gonna watch practice. Well, some of us are going to have to leave a little early, but, luckily, I've got a later flight back home. I get to have an extra hour or two hanging around these guys. That's like a bonus time. (laughs) I feel so blessed.

Who's your favorite of all of these guys?

My favorite? That's gotta be Kobe. Kobe is just always involved. He's like the closest thing to MJ I'd have to say. It's definitely Kobe. That's the player that I was watching before anybody else.

Alright, now among your teammates, who was your favorite? Tyus (Jones) was your roommate, right?

Yeah, exactly , Tyus was my roommate.

What was he like as a roommate?

Well, I mean I already knew what he was like. He's like a brother. You know we're going to the same college.

He's a nice kid.

Yeah, he is. We're going to the same college.

Oh, you are?

Oh, yeah, we decided on that over there. We're already planning on it.

Well, that's big.

Yeah, that's something new, but we just like being around each other so much. It made sense.

Well, fortunately for you guys, you've got great options…and that'll be one lucky school. When do you get the medal and where will you keep it?

Oh, I've got it (pulls it out of his pocket). It's right here. I've had it in my pocket for a long time.

Do you mind if I get a picture of it later? 

Oh, yeah, sure. You can hold it, if you'd like to.

Don't worry, I'm not going to touch it. I don't want to break it or drop it or anything.

(laughs) Oh, no, no, you can touch it, if you want. We worked hard for it and I'd like you to.

All right, then, it'd be my honor.

Here you go.

Oh, wow. Wow. It's beautiful and heavy too.

Yeah, yeah, I can't get over it. I love it. It's amazing, man.

Yeah, it is. 

(laughs)

By the way, right over your shoulder is Tyson Chandler. What do you think of him? He's around your size.

Oh, yeah, I love Tyson Chandler too. He's a player that knows his role and plays it really well. He brings it on defense and he's athletic too. He's somebody that I look at a lot because we play the same position. 

What was it like playing with and even sometimes matching up with Dakari (Johnson, an athletic 6'11" center)?

It was fun. Dakari Johnson is like one of those players that I have been playing with since I was in third grade.  We met up in camps and the Olympic Trials, obviously. We talk to each other every time. He’s one of my friends. 

He’s a good kid too. When you’re battling guys your own size, what’s it like for you?

Yeah, well, usually, I’m either double or triple-teamed, so I always hope for isos. Even when we match up in the EYBL, they were doing double-teams. 

When you’re in the low-box and you've got a guy of a similar size  or, perhaps, even bigger elbowing and fighting for position with you, does it feel substantially any different for you?

No, not really. In practice, I go against Tommy Hamilton. With my AAU guys, we have guys that I practice with that are of a similar size. It makes it interesting and fun.

What was the hardest part to get prepared for, in terms of USA Basketball?

Oh, definitely the altitude. It was something I was working on. 

Were you guaranteed a spot?

Oh, no. We weren’t guaranteed anything. 

What would you say was your role on the team?

Double-double. I had to give a double-double. I tried to help us bring a lot more rebounds and try to control the game on the defensive and offensive boards. Try to man the center spot.

Do you have any visits planned?

No, not yet. My mind's been pretty focused on the USA team.

What was your reaction to the cover story with Jabari? Did you think it was fair?

It was definitely fair. He doesn’t think it was fair. He doesn’t believe it. He’s a great player. I don’t know if he’s definitely the best player since LeBron, but he deserves all of the attention he gets. He deserves all of the hype he gets. He’s just so humble though. He really deserves it.

What do you think the aftereffects are, in terms of expectations and pressure? As a quick example, I was in the stands and I heard people say, “Oh, he’s no LeBron.” Jabari told me that it’s kind of ridiculous that he’s being compared to the MVP of the whole league.

They can’t get mad at him. He didn’t say he was better than LeBron. Somebody else said it. I know there are some people out there who think he was the one who said it, but it’s totally wrong. You know him, he’s a humble kid. He’s just a kid. I don’t know why they take advantage of him or get people mad at him. He didn’t ask for it.

In terms of big match-ups, do you get more amped up or nauseous before the game?

I definitely get excited, but that really happens before every game. Especially when you know when you’re playing against one of the top players. 

So, there is a different mentality when you go up against players like that. I wondered about that with you.

Yeah, there definitely is. Like during the game, you can feel there’s more of a buzz in the air. You got a feel that more people are watching you.

By the way, I've never asked you. What is your favorite NBA team? Are you a Bulls fan?

Oh, I’m definitely a Bulls fan. I like the Lakers a little bit, you know, because of Kobe, but I'm definitely a Bulls fan.

What player or players, either past or present, do you look at and say “yeah, I’d definitely sign on for that guy's career?"

It’s really two guys. Shaquille O’Neal and Hakeem Olajuwon. Yeah, I’d like to be a mix of those two players.

Well, Hakeem was certainly incredibly skilled and is of Nigerian descent like you, but he killed my Knicks.

(laughs) Yeah, absolutely, and Shaq was so dominant and a Hall-of-Famer.

 He was dominant and he’s got some personality like you.

Well, thank you (laughs).

I know you like to travel and you visited New York in the spring. What did you see and do there?

Oh, yeah, I went to visit a friend of mine and I went to the Five-Star Basketball offices. We went around Manhattan. We went to, like, the Spiderman show. 

I thought I heard from a source that you went to the Flight Club (a bi-coastal sneaker store, specializing in hard to obtain sneakers)? Are you a "sneakerhead"?

 Oh, yeah, I was there. I’m not sure if I'm  officially a "sneakerhead"...I have about seventy or eighty pairs. 

I think you qualify. Wow. 

(laughs) 

Do you still like to travel a lot?

Oh, yeah, I’ve been able to go all over. I mean, sometimes it can be a little too much, but when you’re with your family or your friends, it’s great to be able to share experiences like that and see new things. 

Does your family usually come when you travel?

Well, my dad usually comes. 

Give us a little preview for the Peach Jam. Do you think the team is gelling?

Oh, yeah, we’re definitely expecting to win the Peach Jam. We feel like we’ve got all of the pieces together on this team. As long as we keep rolling and playing together, I think we’ll have momentum and we can win it all. I think we’re going to be definitely the best overall team there. 

Thank you again, Jahlil. Congratulations. That's a major accomplishment, big fella.

I appreciate that. Thanks. [/private]

Duke garners 13th verbal committment for 2013 – Tyler Douglas

Duke Football received a commitment from quarterback prospect Tyler Douglas on Friday, making him the 13th player in the class of 2013 to verbally pledge to the Blue Devils.  Douglas, who hails from Ft. Myers, FL, is also listed as a WR on many boards.  He is currently listed at 6'2", 190 lbs. and has been timed at 4.5 in the 40-yard dash.  Douglas threw for over 1200 yards for the Green Wave last year, and was a part of 13 touchdowns.