Category Archives: Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Duke Offer Excites Cole Swider

Cole Swider offered by Duke
Cole Swider offered by Duke

When the dust cleared from this past weekends NBA Top 100 Camp, Cole Swider ended the event as the third leading scorer at 14.8 ppg. The dead-eye shooter from beyond the three point stripe was recently offered  by Duke and the Blue Devils likely lead for his services.

One long time analyst said Swider had an extra bounce in his step during the event.  It is up to conjecture whether a visit to his dream school which is Duke had anything to do with that.  But it is clear that the Blue Devils see a player who fits their system and one they want to coach.

It is also clear that Swider is  not only a solid prospect, but that he likes Duke and that he could very well commit early.  In fact, he officially visits Duke this week on June 23rd and 24th.  That is one day after the NBA Draft and starts this Friday.

You had an injury in your second game which sidelined you...

Yeah, I came down wrong in the first half and just turned my ankle, but it is better now.

How do you feel about your play thus far?

I have been playing pretty well, shooting the ball well, my teammates are helping.

How is the recruiting process going?

It's going well.  I recently visited Duke and it went really well.  The meeting with Coach K was awesome.  It was awesome that they offered,  That was my dream school growing up and to finally get the opportunity to see them and what they're all about was nice.  They said they'd been watching me and asked if they could get into my recruiting.  And I said it is a good thing you called because I was about to narrow it down to eight, but yeah, I can see it being a good fit, especially for me.

You have mentioned you may be making a decision sooner than most kids.  Why is that?

Recruiting is fun in the beginning, but towards the end everyone starts to want you and I don't want to waste any ones time, so...  I am going to figure out when my parents come up pretty soon what I will do and trim my list.

You said Duke was a dream school.  What was it you liked about them?

They were my dream school and I loved watching them play.   Jon Scheyer called me and we've been talking ever since.  He said he could see me being a Duke basketball player and talked to me about that.  Growing up, I use to look up to Kyle Singler, Jon Scheyer, Nolan Smith... those are some of my favorites.  I remember watching when they won the national championship against Butler when I was in the 4th grade and it was awesome.

Describe your game in your own words.

I shoot the ball really well.  I crash the boards and I can attack the basketball too.  I will do whatever the coach needs me to do.  I guess some see me more as a wing but I will do whatever a coach asks me to do.

What are some of the things you are looking for in a school, a program and a coach?

I want to see if they have a plan for me coming in and hope to play right away.  And hopefully, they can help me get to the next level.

Who will play a role i n helping you decide where to go at the next level?

My high school coach and my parents.

What are you like off the court?

I think I am a pretty sociable guy with my friends.  I just love playing basketball and practice every day.

What about Michigan?

Everyone says I fit into their offense and they came in kind of late, but have been texted me a lot.  Everyone has pretty much contacted me about the same.

I know Xavier has been on you.

Their coaching staff texts me every single day and they have been there from the start.

Villanova?

Jay Wright wants me to come in and get buckets, so...I am really cool with Jay Wright, he's awesome.  They have done a good job recruiting me.

Will you be taking more visits?

Yeah.  I am  not sure yet as to where I want to visit.  Like I said, I will sit down with my parents.

You said, you would be deciding early.  What will that entail?

I don't have a timeline but have an idea of the schools recruiting me and what they are about.  I don't think I will take all my official visits. They spend a lot of money and if I know of four schools I want to consider or less I won't take all the visits.  I haven't seen Michigan, Miami and Indiana but the rest I have.

What are your impressions on visiting Duke?

Seeing  Coach K in real life was kind of crazy.  He didn't really differ from some of the things I imagined but it was cool, it was just Duke. Me and my parents had a chance to sit down with Coach K and talk to him a little bit.  I talked of the strength and conditioning and with some advisors.  Coach K came back and we watched some film together.  It was really cool.  Coach K said he wanted to offer me a scholarship and it was awesome.

David McCormack Talks Hoops, Visits Duke

mcDavid McCormack has had a busy spring.  The 6-9 post player is taking a break from Oak Hill Academy to attend camps which included the NBA Top 100 Camp in Charlottesville this past weekend.  He has also played with Adidas on their European tour just getting back before his latest event.

McCormack holds offers from Oklahoma State who recently hired his AAU coach.  He is also a target of Georgetown and N.C. State is making a run, among others.  The popular big man visited Duke this past Saturday with his mom where he had a successful visit in allowing him to see the facilities and speak with the staff.

The Oak Hill product is a priority target for Duke and the Blue Devils will certainly be a factor once he decides his destination.

You had a great start to the camp putting up balanced numbers.

Just sticking to my natural game, being a powerhouse, playing hard.

You recently had a chance to grow your game by playing overseas. How did that trip help you?

It was great.  I had a chance to go into Venice which was awesome.  I liked the relates, Italian ice cream is amazing.  The practices and my time their was very structured.  A lot of people said I played well at the event, but, ,me personally, I am never satisfied.

Definitely that I need to improve on playing against taller players.  we were playing against players who were 7-5 and he had a long wing span making it more difficult to get shots over him.

You are more of a traditional big man with your play.  How important is if for you that schools recruiting you have had success with true centers?

Very important in that the school needs to fit me.  I need to make sure the program and coach fits me with their playing style.  I am definitely looking at inside/out style of play and how they develop big men.

You had a good spring thus far.  What is the reason for that?

It is just a case of me getting better.  I have worked on my body and expanding my game beyond the paint.

Have you trimmed your list yet?

I haven't trimmed my list at all and are open to any school coming in. I have no timetable yet and will just visit some schools with my fam

You have lost some weight and worked on your body.  How has that come along?

I am down to 265.  In total, I think I have lost about 40 pounds from my heaviest.

Any visits planned?

After this camp is over I will be taking an unofficial visit to Duke. And I plan to visit N.C. State on Fathers Day.

Describe your game in your own words.

Big guy, traditional big, old school player who loves to play in the paint.  I work hard, tries to use his outside game, tries to have a mid range game, loud vocal and has a lot of energy.

What are your thoughts on the Duke program?

Definitely a great program with a great tradition, Coach K, Coach Capel, Coach James, their big man coach...it is all good with great coaches on the bench.  I talked to the whole staff evenly.  I talked to Coach Capel, James, Scheyer and even Nolan Smith at times.

Are other schools on you hard?

Talking to a lot of schools, non stop, my phone is blowing up.

You visited UVA...

I got to tour the facilities and build a relationship with the UVA staff and how they would use me. He would like to have an inside presence he has not had.

How did the Duke visit come about?

That was their request and moms request.  She wanted me to get on campus and see what it was about.  She does not like all the flash talk.  She wants to get down to business and have a sit down with Coach K and the rest of the staff.

Who are some of the people who will help you in making a collegiate choice?

As far as the decision goes, I have a small circle.  Me, my mother, aunt and pastor to make sure there is a great fit athletically, academically and spiritually.  As far as coaches, I want to build relationships and see their plans for development.

Are there players on the circuit you would like to play with in college?

I can play with anybody.  I am not selfish player.

You recently had a trip overseas where you could improve your game.  Tell me about that.

 

NBAPA Top 100 Camp Day One

grrThe NBA Top 100 Camp got underway in Charlottesville, Virginia yesterday afternoon.   Duke has a few prospects here including David McCormack who is slated to visit the Blue Devils campus this Saturday.

McCormack has been solid averaging 10.5 ppg and leading all camp players by pulling down 10.0 rebounds per contest.  He is playing for the Bucks where his teammate is Cole Swider who also holds a Duke offer.

Swider is the  9th leading scorer in the camp at 11.5 ppg despite playing just 14 minutes after being injured in his second game. Swider had nice things to say about the Blue Devils as did McCormack which is covered in detail on our premium message board.

In other camp notes, Matthew Hurt is averaging 10.5 ppg and Duke has shown interest in him.  UNC bound Coby White is the 2nd leading scorer here to date at 20.0 ppg.  Also impressive is Simisola Shttu who is putting up numbers of 23 ppg and 8.5 boards

 

Trevon Duval is a Blue Devil

tdTrevon Duval decided to play his college basketball career with Duke University.  Duval is rated the top point guard prospect in the nation and will start immediately at Duke.

''Basketball has taken me from Queens, to Delaware, to places I never even dreamed of when I first started dribbling. I couldn’t have made it here without my dad, who has always kept me hungry, and my mom, who has always kept me humble. And with their blessing, today, I’m ready to announce the next step in my journey.''

See his announcement here.

 

Nike EYBL Session Day One Recap

Jon Scheyer and Chris Collins at the Nike EYBL Session I in Hampton, Virginia
Jon Scheyer and Chris Collins at the Nike EYBL Session I in Hampton, Virginia

Day one of the Nike EYBL Session I is in the books as several Duke prospects kicked off the season in Hampton, Virginia.

The most impressive performance came from big time prospect Cameron Reddish who came alive in the second half when Duke Assistant Coach Jon Scheyer showed up.  Reddish led Team Final to an easy win, tallying 24 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists.

Another key target is the brother of Tyus Jones.  Tre is his own player and he continues to make a name for himself.  His Howard Pulley team lost a close game in their opener.  He finished the night with 12 points, 8 assists and 3 rebounds.

Point Guaed, Darius Garland had 14 points, tying for a team high and 5 assists, but his Bradley Beal Elite team lost a close game.  Another Duke prospect R.J. Barrett was not in uniform for UPLAY Canada. No reason is known as to why at this time.

Marvin Bagley III had 27 points and 10 rebounds but his team lost a low scoring game.

Several new names on the radar performed well as Jon Scheyer took time to watch several players play about one half each.  We will be talking about those new names on the BDN message board in the coming days.  Mike Krzyzewski is expected to come in town tomorrow.  Already in attendance were Roy Williams, John Calipari and Steve Alford, amongst others.

Former Duke players and coaches Johnny Dawkins of Central Florida and Chris Collins of Northwestern were also at the event. Both Duke alums are coming off huge seasons with their respective teams.

Coming soon, several interviews which include Cameron Reddish and Tre Young.  The event continues at the crack of dawn tomorrow and runs through Sunday.

Duke To Visit Kevin Knox on Wednesday

images (3)One of the nations last major uncommitted  prospects will entertain Duke this Wednesday night.  Kevin Knox announced that he would have in home visits with four schools before deciding on where he would attend college.

North Carolina and Missouri will visit the Knox family on Wednesday followed by Duke and Mike Krzyzewski.  This will come after Florida State and Kentucky visit this evening.

Duke is selling Knox on replacing Jayson Tatum in their lineup. Tatum will be among three more first round draft picks for Duke in the coming NBA Draft.  The Blue Devils will also pitch that they have the pedigree of getting players to the next level and not holding their players back.

Knox has long been on the Blue Devils wish list where the staff has made him a priority early on in the process.