Category Archives: Duke Basketball Recruiting News

BDN Premium Articles, Duke Basketball, Duke Basketball Recruiting News

General Recruiting Update #18 is up for premium members

I will be heading down to Augusta for the Nike Peach Jam Festival tomorrow.  The players I will watch starting Saturday are Jamil Wilson, Andre Dawkins, Jason Morris, Nate Lubick (in Aiken, SC) and Josh Smith.

[private]

Kenny Boynton remains Duke's number one priority.  They are looking at John Wall, but are awaiting KB to make his choice.  Duke is in good shape with Boynton.

Duke is still looking at Jamil Wilson, but he needs to step his game up to earn an offer.  He can do so this weekend as Wojo and Nate James watch.  The player who caught the Devils eye this week was 2009 athlete Duke will evaluate him further.  He plays for Squash

Josh Hairston still has an offer and Duke wants to get him in the fold.  With Golden leaving Ohio State to reopen his recruitment, many feel the move hurt their chances with Hairston.  IMO, Josh just wants to announce on his own time.  I feel certain he will choose the royal blue.

Duke loves Brandon Knight (2010)!  Brandon has mentioned just three schools, those being Miami, Georgia Tech and Duke.  He is a Duke type kid in a big way.

Duke will extend an offer to Harold Barnes (2010) from Aimes, Iowa.  This do it all kid also fits the Duke mold.  He is the wing we will need and is versatile.  Coach K was enamored with his play.

Big Josh Smith (2010) is firmly on the radar.  Coach K liked his game and he should get an offer in the near future.  I will check him out this weekend.

Anoher (2010) kid is Tyler Thornton, Hairstons AAU teammate.  Duke wants a PG and expects Boynton to go pro within one or two years.  Of course Knight may make him second tier.  Then Lubick would move in.  Of course, you can't get them all.

Other players very much on the radar are Nate Lubick, Jason Morris and Ray McCallum. All are in the class of 2010 and are being actively recruited by Duke.

A lot of 2010 talk you say?  Duke loves this class and feels there are players who fit the Duke mold.  Duke will sign at least five prospects in this class if all goes as planned.  Heck, there may be six kids offered.

As for 2009, they may throw out an third offer.  There is a new kid who caught the staffs eye.  That being, Thomas Robinson (Brewster Academy), a 6-7 versatile, athletic type.  Add this name to the evaluation list.

So, there you have it.  That gives you an idea of who Coach K was impressed with.[/private]

BDN Premium Articles, Duke Basketball, Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Interview with 2010 prospect Harrison Barnes

Harrison Barnes (6-6, 182) Class of 2010, HS _ Ames Senior, Ames, IA AAU Team - All Iowa Attack

Barnes is the real deal.  He has a great overall package on the court.  He slashes to the rim, can take his man inside or out and is a capable rebounder.  His defense is really good for a young kid and he spaces and moves about the court well.  Plays within himself and is selfless.  He's bright, well mannered and attentive.  As a soph, he averaged 16.8 PPG.  He is in nearly everybodies 2010 Top Ten Prospects list.  He is being evaluated by Duke this week.
[private]

If someone had never seen you play, how would you describe your game?

I would just say that I can do anything I need for the team to win.  I can post up, go out to the perimeter, take the ball in, play defense.  I would sacrifice my time and stay on the bench or do whatever to help my team win.

Where are you in the recruiting process at this time?

Iowa State and Iowa have been on me for a long time being that I play in state.  Indiana, VCU, Maryland, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, USC have all offered.

Wow!  That's quite a list.  Are you open for anybody else to come in?

Oh yeah.

Are you hearing from other schools?  Who have you heard from of late?

LSU, Georgetown and Duke

What about Georgetown?

They just say that they want to talk to me.  They've called and expressed that they have interest in me.

What about Duke?

One of the coaches called recently.

Being from the Midwest, are you opposed to possibly going east?

Right now, I'm just waiting it out.  I haven't ruled out going far yet.  I am open to anyone.

What about your family, how would they feel about you leaving the area?

My Mom is okay with it.  She has always said it was my decision to make, so she will support me anywhere I go.

Do you come from a big family?

Just me and my Mom and my sister.

Where does education come into play?

It's top of the list.  It's ahead of basketball.  You can only play basketball for so long.

Have you thought about what you might want to take in college?

Business

Give me three words that best describes you as a person?

I'd say I'm personable, I'm a talker, I can talk ... communicate and I'm humble.

So, is there a timeline?  Will you take all five officials or will you make a choice when it feels right?

I'm just taking my time right now.  I am in no rush.

Who do you pattern your game after?

The skills?  Somebody like Durrant.

How tall are you right now?

I'm 6-6 ... 6-7

And you are how old?

I just turned 16.

So, you have a long ways to go ... a lot of big schools are coming at you now.  How do you stay grounded?

(At this time Travis McKie walked up and messed with Barnes)  I said, "Hey, you got your time," as he walked off.  Barnes stayed focused)

You just take it all in stride, one level at a time.

Do you go to a public school or a private school?

I go to a public school.

Do you have a preference in college?

As long as I get a good education ... that's all that matters.

Have you thought about being in classrooms that had like 130 as opposed to say 40?

I'd kind of like a small classroom.

Can you see yourself in the future and how you might use a business degree?

I just want to learn some managing skills and how money works in certain settings.  I'd just like to start my own business.  I would be willing to work in a larger firm until I figured out what I wanted.

What do you need to work on?

My dribbling so that I can play the 2 or 3 better in college.

Tell me one thing about Travis McKie that nobody knows?

(Looking at McKie who appeared again, laughing) Travis McKie, he's a punk.  Seriously, I have had a chance to meet a lot of people at the camps and it has been enlightening.

Thanks for your time!

Thank you.[/private]

BDN Premium Articles, Duke Basketball, Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Our infamous General Update #17 is up! (Get the real scoop on recruting)

Coach K addressed the media today and mentioned that he would hit the road with his staff in early July.  The exact date is July the 6th, which is Sunday.  Former Coach Johnny Dawkins will serve with Team USA.  Coach also mentioned that they try to recruit certain one and done type of kids and that he favored allowing talented kids go straight to the pros.  He mentioned he preferred a two and one or two year commitment as well.

[private]Duke kicks it off at the LeBron James Skills Academy in Akron, Ohio where Coach K and Wojo will cover Jamil Wilson who we interviewed just days ago, Harrison Barnes whose interview will be up tomorrow and Jason Morris, our latest premium offering.   They will of course check out Andre Dawkins our first commitment in the class of 2010.

Coach Collins will be solo at the Adidas Tournament in Cincy.  There he will see Josh Hairston who BDN has made it clear we think will be a Dukie and Nate Lubick who we interviewed last week.  He will also see Josh Smith, 2010 PG Tyler Thornton who visited Duke unofficially just a short time ago and Ray McCallum.

Around July the 8th, Coach K will go to the Reebok event where he will watch Kenny Boynton, Brandon Knight, Terrell Vinson and Nick Russell.

Before Adidas, Collins will be solo at the Adidas event in Cincy.  There he will watch Josh Hairston, who I have told you will commit to Duke unless something goes really wrong.  Add Nate Lubick who I interviewed recently for BDN Premium, Tyler Thornton who visited Duke last week unofficially, Josh Smith and Ray McCallam.

Nate James will make his first splash at the Peach Jam (we will be at this event) where Wojo will show him the ropes.  Jamil Wilson, Andre Dawkins who we are waiting to talk to in person and several youngsters will be at this event as well.

Meanwhile, Chris Collins will head to Miami with Coach K where they will take in Team Breakdown's Annual Tournament.  He will of course be watching Kenny Boynton and Brandon Knight.  Oh, and don't pay too much attention to how Kenny responded to the Duke question in the link I provided.  I want it out there that Duke is not the leader from his mouth.  The reason being, the media can pick at Duke by asking him this question.  That's the same thing that happened in the Monroe recruitment.  He may well have gotten tired of the Duke leads questions.  If the media gets wind of this statement, then this constant question will be defused.  I mean Kendall Marshall's unscrupulous Father used this to annoy Kenny during the NBAPA Camp.

Then Duke will be represented at the Triple S Harley Jamfest- in West Virginia.  Hairston and Thornton will participate in this event.  The open period for coaches ends on this weekend and then they return to duties in Vegas with Team USA.

Duke will install their new scoreboard in Cameron Indoor Stadium in August.  All of the men's team is currently on campus and playing pick up together with the exception of Henderson and Zoubs.  Their injuries are healing as expected and they are on schedule.  Our next interview is with the hot prospect, Harrison Barnes.  Keep the names here, folks!  No hints out there please.[/private]

BDN Premium Articles, Duke Basketball, Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Duke is checking out Jason Morris, 2010 SG

 Jason Morris, 6-4, 177, Class of 2010 Lakeville HS, Conn.  AAU - Atlanta Celtics

[private]
Jason holds several offers and was one of a handful of 2010 kids invited to the NBAPA Camp.  He left that camp early for the Nike Paul Pierce Skills Academy. 

He averaged 17.1 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 4.7 apg, 1.8 spg last season.  He is often listen at 6-5, but is just under 6-4.  He weighs in between 170 and 180.

He plays for the powerful Atlanta Celtics AAU cluband holds over ten offers.  He is originally from Georgia.  Scouting Report to come.

Tell me about yourself as a person ...

I really like working out and trying to improve my game.  I'm always open to criticism to get an idea of what I don't see and try to correct that and work on the things I need too.

How did you get into hoops, your Dad?

Yes.  Basketball is big with my family.  My Grandfather played, my Uncle played and my Father.  My Grandfather died when I was pretty young and he blew out his knee before signing with the New York Knicks.

A lot of schools are looking at you these days.  You've become a hot commodity.  Who is the most aggressive in their recruitment at this point?

The most aggressive are the teams around where I live.  The Georgia Tech's, the Clemson's and UGA.  That's just because I'm the hometown kid, so they've had more time to get to know me and can see me play.

There is a general consensus that Georgia Tech is a leader, is that true?

Uhh, I'm not sure at this point.  I do have a close relationship with the coaching staff.  Coach Hayes is the main contact.

How long have they been recruiting you?

About four years now.

That's a long time ... how old are you now?

16

So you were like twelve ...

More like 13.  Since I was in the area, my Father contacted them to sort of see if I could come out and see if their guys are running.  I was able to play against some bigger and stronger guys at another level which helped my game.

Has anybody else come into the picture of late?

Duke just came in the picture recently.  UNC has said they will take a look at me and try to come to a couple of games.  Other than that the main schools have been consistent over the past year and a half.

So, are you willing to add a Duke or UNC to your list?

(smiles) Yeah, definitely.  I haven't really seen UNC's campus, but because of who they are I will listen.  And Duke, their facilities are awesome.

Who is talking to you from those schools?

I haven't talked to anyone, but my Father has.  I haven't had a chance to be home since school was out yet, so I don't know of any letters.  I have been trying to pick and choose my time to put in the extra work.  I am always willing to put in extra work, but sometimes you have to hang it up for a little while and rest.

Any time line on your decision?  Will you take your five official visits?

At this time, I plan on taking the visits, but by the end of Summer or early Fall I will have a list together.  I will then figure out what I want to do, watch their style of play.  So, there will be a list of five by that time.

Speaking of style of play, what best fits you on the college level?

A lot of cutting, fast paced ... something where you are not restricted to one particular role.

... so, interchangeable positions?

Yeah, yeah.  I mean everyone has a role within the team, but when it comes to a half court setting I'd like to operate from multiple positions.

How important is immediate playing time to you?

Um, well it's fairly important, but if my team is winning and that's all that counts.

What are you looking for in a coach?

A coach that goes after it and gets into everybody to be their best.

So, you want to be pushed to be all you can be, so to speak?

Yeah, that's how it was when I was growing up.  My Dad would tell me like it was, I thrive on competition.

What are you like off the court?  What do you do in your spare time?

I don't really turn on the TV too much.  I watch ESPN, but other than that ... I listen to music, mellow out and relax.  When I have the time I might call up a friend and go out to dinner andd stuff like that.

Three words that best describes you as a person?

Let's see ... quiet, humble and energetic.

Three as a basketball player ...

Explosive, team player and a leader.

How important is the education aspect for you in college?

You know, that's extremely important for there is always life after basketball.  When it's time to hang it up, there are plenty of years left in life.  I will consider what I want to take in school over the next year and a half.

Private school, public school?  Large or small?

My whole life I went to sort of a small school until the seventh grade.  At the start of the eigth grade, I went to a fairly large public school and then I went back up to the small private school which I am at now.  I really don't have a preference, maybe around 10,000 or above but the numbers aren't really important to me.

Are you willing to get out of the state of Georgia?

Yeah.  I travel all the time, so getting homesick is a phase I passed a while back.

Do you have a GPA score?

I don't know the exact numbers, but I just got my report card back and have a B+ average. [/private]