Category Archives: Duke Basketball Recruiting News

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Big Time PG Prospect Tyus Jones talks hoops with BDN

Few positions in sports are able to control the tempo of a game like a point guard can. For some, speed is the key, while others like to slow the game down completely. Players such as Tyus Jones have the ability to change the pace back and forth, constantly keeping the defender on his toes. Jones has a feel for the game that is far beyond his years.

For Jones the attention he receives is nothing new. His local university, Minnesota, has been recruiting him since the eighth grade, and he has built a great relationship with Tubby Smith and his staff.

The Apple Valley product won a Gold medal this summer with the U17 Team USA squad in Lithuania. He had the chance to share the experience with close friends Justise Winslow and Jahlil Okafor.

Jones gave BDN a few minutes to discuss his summer and his recruitment, among other topics.

BlueDevilNation: Take me over your summer and how you think it went.

Tyus Jones: I think the summer's gone very well so far. I enjoyed [private] myself this summer. I had a blast this summer and traveling and everything like that and I think I played well. I think I improved. I don’t think I have any choice but to improve. You know, with the level of competition being as high as it is. So, you know, I enjoyed myself.

BDN: Do you feel you there is a difference in your role in AAU and high school?

TJ: You know, my AAU role, I think the games are different. Minnesota high school ball doesn’t have a shot clock so there’s not as many shots. Some teams will more slow it down and things like that but I think I still have a similar role. I got to score, but at the same time distribute the ball and get my teammates involved. So I think, my AAU team and high school team, I play a similar role.

BDN: You obviously had a great opportunity this summer to travel to the Canary Islands and Lithuania. How do you think that experience changed you?

TJ: It was great, it was great. You know the experience was unbelievable to go to a different country and see what their culture is like and how they do things over there. You know even the game of basketball over there, the fans, and just everything is different. So it was a great learning experience. But, you know, we had fun and played well over there.

BDN: Was there one major difference in the culture that you noticed?

TJ: All of their stuff is more compact. You know, the rooms are real small, restaurants and stores are all real small. You sit real close together. So everything was just compact.

BDN: Compared to here where most things are more open and spread out.

TJ: Yeah, exactly. We were able to walk everywhere there.

BDN: You also had a chance to watch the Team USA Men’s team when you got back. Can you go over that experience?

TJ: That was just crazy. To be in the room of the world’s best of the best right now. It didn’t even feel real. It was a great experience. We were very thankful that they gave us the opportunity to do that, and it was great to see even at that level how focused and intense those guys are.

BDN: What, if anything, did you notice about the players’ interaction with each other? Coaches?

TJ: One of the main things you notice is how much respect the players have for Coach K and the assistants. A lot of times you might think NBA players are on top, so they might not want to hear what coaches had to say, but they were tuned in, respectful and listened to anything they had to say. They were still learning the game, which is good to see.

BDN: Can you go over who’s recruiting you right now?

TJ: University of Minnesota, Ohio State, Michigan State, Baylor, Kentucky, Duke, North Carolina, Kansas.

BDN: Regarding Duke, obviously Coach K coaches the national team. Is that something that players either talk about to each other or take into heavy consideration?

TJ: I think everything goes into consideration. I think you look at every aspect of it, whether it be big or little. So it’s definitely something you look at and it could vary from player to player how big of an aspect that is from a college standpoint. But yeah, you definitely notice it.

BDN: Does it make any difference to you that he wasn’t able to be there to recruit in July?

TJ: No, I talked to him a little bit right before they left and I was still in contact with their assistant coaches. Obviously he had a much more important (laughs) job so you can’t really hold that against a coach or anything.

BDN: Tell me about the local school, Minnesota, that’s been recruiting you for awhile.

TJ: Oh I’ve got a good relationship with Tubby Smith and his staff. They’ve been recruiting me for awhile since I was an eighth grader, so we’ve gotten close since I’ve known them. They had a good run at the end of the year last year which is good to see.

BDN: Do you have any upcoming visits that are planned?

TJ: As of now I don’t have any officially planned out. I’m going to try and do some in the fall, I’m not sure to where.

BDN: Try and make a Midnight Madness event?

TJ: Yeah, I think so. I’m not sure to where though, but yeah I’m going to try and make some.

BDN: Reading a previous interview with you, I read that you said you wanted to become more vocal during the summer. Do you feel like you accomplished that?

TJ: I did, I did. It’s just something I think a point guard has to have, along with coaches think a point guard has to have. You have to be able to communicate. Communication on a team is key and the point guard being the leader out there on the floor, it starts with them. I tried to focus on that and I think my vocal leadership improved.

BDN: Thanks a lot for your time.

TJ: No problem, thank you. [/private]

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Duke In-Home with Austin Nichols on September 10th

In today’s recruiting world, some recruits are targeted as early as the eighth grade. Those recruits largely have a target on their backs from the moment they enter the world of AAU and high school basketball. On the other hand, some recruits blossom later on in their high school careers and the attention can feel like a whirlwind. For Austin Nichols, his recruitment blew up as recently as April when Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski offered a scholarship to the 6’8" big man from Memphis.

Nichols, who described himself as more of a small forward/power forward, has recently cut his list down to six schools: Memphis, Auburn, Tennessee, Duke, Vanderbilt and Virginia. Nichols plans on taking all of his official visits at this point.  His official visit to Duke has been set for [private] October 6, when he will also get a chance to take in the Duke vs. Virginia football game as well as meet with academic counsellors to see what his future at Duke could look like.  This follows Duke's in-home visit with Austin, which has been set for September 10.

The lanky forward, who plays for NBA player Mike Miller’s AAU team M33M, ran the court extremely well at the practice this week at the Elite 24, helping him to many easy buckets. His large 7’2" wingspan helped him protect the paint, and he also got his giants paws on lots of  loose balls.

Nichols was kind enough to chat with BDN and discuss his summer, his upcoming visits, Duke’s pitch, and more.

BlueDevilNation: Let’s start off with how your summer has been so far?

Austin Nichols: Really good. It’s been really busy. I just narrowed my list down to six. But yeah, it’s been crazy and a great experience for my last summer.

BDN: Could you just go over that list for the readers?

AN: Memphis, Tennessee, Auburn, Duke, Vanderbilt and Virginia.

BDN: Do you feel there is a difference in your roles in AAU and in high school ball?

AN: Yeah, there is a little bit of a difference. I guess you could say in AAU I have a little bit more freedom where I play the 3/4. In high school I’m mainly a 5. But, you know, it just teaches me to play different positions.

BDN: It must be an honor to be selected to the Elite 24 amongst all these talented players. What do you think of the gear that they hook you guys up with?

AN: Oh yeah, I love it. I’ve never actually worn Under Armour stuff, so for it to be my first time it’s great. I love it.

BDN: What’s your current height and weight?

AN: 6’8 and 210 pounds.

BDN: You’re going into your senior year at Briarcrest. Will there be any difference in the way you take on your role?

AN: Being more of a leader since I’m a senior now. And just coming out every night ready to play. Just try and lead my team to a state championship, you know, that’s the main goal.

BDN: What was it like to play with the pro’s last night?

AN: Yeah, I actually played with them, not against them. That was really great. Brandon Jennings, James Harden, Will Barton and those guys.

BDN: That sounds like fun.

AN: It was. It was great and a really good experience. I loved it.  They’re hilarious. I had a lot of fun and a great experience.

BDN: What do you feel separates where you are from where they are?

AN: I mean there’s definitely a huge difference. I mean they’re pro’s and I’m only in high school, but time will tell once I get into college and take a few years, maybe I’ll get up to their level.

BDN: You said your role changes from high school to AAU.  What do you view yourself as now that your game has evolved and gotten better? And where do you like to be on the court?

AN: About 15 feet and in. Yeah, I like to hit those jumpers, hook shots, I like to run the floor and offensive rebound, push the ball. I think I see myself as more of a 3/4.

BDN: Your recruitment really started blowing up over the last five months or so. How have you handled it?

AN: I just take it day by day and stay humble. Don’t let it get to my head and, you know, just have fun with it.

BDN: Can you just go over your experience of watching the Team USA practice in Vegas?

AN: Yeah, that was great. We were at the Lebron camp and we actually watched them practice at UNLV so that was great. And of course on TV I saw them just about every night they played.

BDN: What did you notice, if anything, between the interactions of the players and coaches?

AN: Camaraderie. They were really close to each other and intensity in practice. They try to bring it every day.

BDN: For your upcoming visits, is it a case where you are definitely taking all of them or could you perhaps decide early if it feels right?

AN: I’m planning on taking all of them. You know, Virginia I have the 8th of September, and I have an in-home visit with Duke on the 10th. On the 15th I’ll be going to Vanderbilt, and I’m not really sure other than that.

BDN: Speaking of Duke, you also have an official visit with them on October 6th. What are you looking for on that trip?

AN: Just, you know, to see how some of the players are practicing, see how the coaches play them. See the campus and everything and just see what the college life is like. I know how Coach K coaches and I’d like to see it in action.

BDN: Will you have a talk with the academic advisors?

AN: Yes, oh yes. In all my visits I’ll try and go meet with the academic part.

BDN: What’s their pitch been like to you?

AN: They said that one of the Plumlees will be gone and Ryan Kelly will be gone so maybe I can step in there and maybe play a pretty good bit as a freshman. But we’ll see. I have to get on campus and see what it’s like first and then we’ll go from there.

BDN: I’ve read a lot that you have a very big faith. Could you tell me how it helps you either on the court or off the court?

AN: Well on the court, I always like to walk through Him. Off the court, if I have no one to talk to I can just pray. You know, I like to keep my bible real close to me. I go to a Christian school and so we read it once in a while. Like I said, if I don`t have anybody to talk to I can just pray and tell him everything. He`s sort of my happy place I go to.

BDN: Thank you very much for your time, Austin.

AN: Oh, no problem.  Thank you. [/private]

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Elite 24 Coverage of Duke Prospects on BDN Premium

Team BDN is in place in California where we are covering the Elite 24 for Premium members.  Get all the latest updates from today's practice and Saturday's game by joining today!  Several key Duke prospects are playing in the prestigious event, including Tyus Jones, Justise Winslow, Julius Randle, Marcus Lee and Austin Nichols, so you do not want to miss the action!  Join BDN Premium today and discuss the latest happenings with fellow members on the BDN Premium Message Board.

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Everything Is Bigger In Texas: An Elijah Thomas Interview

6'9" Duke Recruit Elijah Thomas of Texas, Photo by Andrew Slater

After putting in the hard work to lose a significant amount of weight, Elijah Thomas, at nearly 6'9" and 235 pounds, has seen his game and recruitment take off. With soft hands, a strong upper body, good feet, a fundamentally sound low-post game, a relatively soft touch, and a competitive streak on both ends of the court, the young, Dallas-area wide body was a force to deal with at the 16-and-under level for Nike Team Texas this summer.

Texas Big Man Elijah Thomas of Nike Team Texas, Photo by Andrew Slater

While he suffered some tendinitis earlier in the  year, by the time of the Nike Peach Jam in July, he had recovered and was ready to impress.  At that prestigious event, Eli turned in some dominating performances, including one where he registered 35 points, 20 rebounds, and four blocks. Duke Assistant Coach Jeff Capel, who helped develop NBA All-Star Blake Griffin at Oklahoma, was front and center to watch this young big man compete.

In both AAU (with Nike Team Texas) and in high school ball with Rockwall High School in suburban Dallas, Elijah plays with combo guard and friend Austin Grandstaff. They were named co-newcomers of the year for their district of Texas. In addition to working on traditional basketball skills, Eli and Austin have worked together with trainer Tyler Relph to improve their  strength and conditioning, which Eli, a friend of incoming Duke guard Matt Jones, credits for improving his stamina in games. The Texas duo will soon visit Duke.

 

 

How do you feel that you played this summer?

Well, I started off a little slow because I had growth tendinitis in my knees. So, I was playing hurt.

How is that now?

Oh, it's completely fine now. I got some help for it. I went to therapy for it. The therapy helped me to work it out and now it's fine now. Then, we played in the Peach Jam.

[private]

I heard that you played very well down there.

Yeah, I played pretty out there and I feel pretty good about how I've played lately. Sometimes I can get upset with the calls or my playing, but as long as we get the wins, I'm good.

Which schools are recruiting you right now?

Duke, Texas A & M, Kansas, Nebraska, LSU, Colorado, Texas, Rice, Arizona, UCLA, and North Texas.

 

That's quite a lot. Have you taken any visits yet? Do you have any visits planned?

Oklahoma and Texas A & M. That's the only ones that I can think of right now.

 

Do you have any planned in the future?

I think that they said that we're supposed to visit Duke, but I'm not completely sure of when we're going.

 

What do you think are your strengths and weaknesses at this point?

My strengths are playing down low, playing with my back to the basket, rebounding, blocking shots, and hitting my free throws. My weaknesses are my stamina and staying in the game by staying out of foul trouble. I've gotten better, but it's still something that I need to work on.

 

What has it been like for you playing with Austin (Grandstaff) both here with Nike Team Texas and in high school?

Oh, it's always been fun. We've always been friends for a long time. We came out on the same team in eighth grade and so it's always been our thing.

 

You have good chemistry together.

Oh, yes, sir.

 

Who do you try to model your game after? Is there a particular player?

In the NBA?

Sure.

Well, LaMarcus Aldridge, Kevin Garnett, like the little things…maybe a little of Zach Randolph.

So, generally, you like the athletically gifted, skilled big guys

Yes, sir.

 

What are trying to work on most right now?

My shooting, my athleticism.

What type of shooting? Free throws? Straight facing up from the mid-range?

Yeah, straight up shooting and my turn-arounds too, but, yeah, I'm mostly working on concentrating on my jumper and my athleticism, and improving my quickness.

 

Who is the best player that you've faced so far?

So far . . . I don't know his name, but there's this kid that we played from a team in Waco that probably had like fifty points on us. I'm sorry I can't remember his name, but he pounded us.

Don't worry about that. What are your goals for next season, both individually and as a team?

To get better and to play as a team. Hopefully, we'll improve and get stronger. To grow.

 

I saw that you made all-district and were the newcomer of the year.

Yes, sir.

 

The first school that you mentioned before was Duke and you later mentioned that you'll be visiting them. What have they expressed to you in terms of their interest?

Well, I got a letter and they talk to Coach Wes all the time. They say that they'd like us to come out there. They came to watch us at the Peach Jam when I had like thirty-five points and like twenty-one rebounds in a big game.

 

So, they were really interested after they saw your performance at the Peach Jam.

Yes, sir.

 

What do you know about the school overall?

Well, my friend, Matthew Jones, is going to be playing there. He's told me that it's a really good school.

He's a nice kid and player.

Yes, he is.

 

Before, you were mentioning that you were planning on improving your conditioning. What specifically have you been working on, in terms of strength and conditioning? 

Well, we work on it at our gym with our trainer all the time. We haven't been able to work as much as we'd like because of all of the travel and everything, but when the opportunity comes..

In August and September.

Yes, sir, we'll be going hard and making the most of our opportunity.

 

What's your current size?

I'm about 6'9" and 235.

 

Your feet move better than I expected. How would you assess your defense at this point? You've giving an honest effort on both ends. What kind of impact do you hope to have on the defensive end of the ball?

Well, I've been trying to stay on my toes a little bit longer and really be active when I'm out there. You know, really bring it! The thing that I've got to work on is to try to stay out of foul trouble. It doesn't help us if I'm on the bench with foul trouble or anything. It's been progressing though. I've gotta stay out of a little bit of foul trouble.

 

Just out of curiosity, but, between your size and feet, has anyone recruited you for football?

No, not really, sir. I'm not too interested in playing football. I used to do it a little bit, but that was just to stay in shape.

 

What position do you prefer to play in basketball?

I guess power forward. I play power forward in the summer and center during the school year.

 

What would you like the audience to know about you away from the court?

I'm a big kid. I like to laugh and joke and play video games. I like to hang out.

You seem pretty happy.

Oh, yes, sir, I'm a happy kid.

 

Are you in a rush to decide on a college?

Oh, no, I've got to get my game to where I want it to be first, I think.

 

Who do you turn to for guidance whenever you make big decisions?

My mother and my coaches, both my AAU coaches and my high school coach. Those are the people that I usually turn to.

 

What will be some factors in your decision, whenever you do decide?

Just them developing my game and helping to make me a better player, winning, playing, getting stronger. Well, just honestly winning and playing, not worrying about anything else too much. That's about it.

Sure. What would you say is your best basketball memory so far?

Probably that game at the Peach Jam. I played great and Coach Calipari was there to see me. Duke was there. North Carolina and Georgetown were there. It was a classic game.

 

What's your favorite NBA or college team?

My favorite NBA team is the Knicks. My favorite college is, well . . . now that Jeremy Lin is gone. I don't know so I guess Kentucky. I kinda like them and how they play I guess.

 

Who else are you close with on the circuit?

Who am I friends with?

Yes.

Mickey . . . Mickey Mitchell. I guess that's about all I can think of right now.

Well, he's good.

Yes, sir.

 

By the way, do you prefer Elijah or Eli? I hear them calling you both.

Either one is fine. It's whatever you prefer.

 

That's it for me. Thank you very much.

Thank you, sir.

[/private]

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The Rockwall Rifleman: Austin Grandstaff

6'5" Combo Guard Austin Grandstaff of Rockwall, TX, Photo by Andrew Slater

Since the arrival of Coach Jeff Capel in the spring of 2011, the state of Texas has been more of a focal point for Duke recruiting. In the class of 2013, the Blue Devils have already received a commitment from 6'5" Matt Jones of DeSoto and are heavily pursuing 6'8" Julius Randle of McKinney to add to Rasheed Sulaimon, an incoming freshman guard from Houston. For the class of 2014, they have offered 6'5" Justise Winslow, a versatile wing from the Houston area. In the class of 2015, Duke has made contact with such Texans as Rockwall teammates and friends 6'4" Austin Grandstaff and 6'8" Elijah Thomas, as well as 6'7" Mickey Mitchell from the Dallas area.

Wes Grandstaff has been involved in grassroots basketball at a variety of levels as a coach, tournament director, scout for HoopScoop, and AAU program director. His son, Austin, is a skilled rising sophomore from the Dallas suburb of Rockwall, who said that he tries to model his game after Steve Nash. This past high school season, the combo guard averaged nearly fifteen points, five rebounds, and five assists for Rockwall, and shared his district's co-newcomer honors with his friend, Elijah Thomas, who plays with Grandstaff for both Rockwall and Nike Team Texas.

Austin Grandstaff, who already holds offers from Texas A & M and Arizona, is scheduled to visit Duke University with Elijah Thomas. Recently, he spoke with me about a variety of topics, including his upcoming trip to Duke.

 

 

Overall, how do you feel that you played this summer?

Overall, pretty good. I think or feel like I've played pretty well. I'm happy about it.

How do you think that you benefit from your dad being in the business of basketball?  You've grown up in it.

Yeah, I've been around it for a long time and so I'm used to it. You know now that I get to do it, it's pretty cool.

It's an exciting time for you.

Yes, definitely, I get to play and show what I'm capable of. It's been great.

What's your relationship like with Elijah (Thomas)?

He's like my brother. We go to school together. He lived with me for a little bit and, now, his mom moved to Rockwall. We're really like brothers.

You've certainly got good chemistry out there.

Yeah, it definitely helps us.

For the audience that hasn't seen you play in person, what would you say are your strengths and weaknesses?

My strengths are scoring and getting my teammates involved. My weakness is probably my strength, but I'm working on that right now.

Well, I was going to ask you about what exactly are you working on right now or in your down time.

Yeah, i'm working on mostly strength and speed and ball-handling. That's really it right now.

[private]

Is that primarily at your high school?

Oh, yeah, I just train at my high school right now.

In terms of visits, you mentioned yesterday that you had taken some and were going to visit some more.

Yeah, well, we're going to go to Duke sometime soon and, right now, that's the only really big visit that we have planned. We go to Texas and Texas A & M a lot, but..

That's relatively close to home.

Yeah, exactly, those are pretty close to home. 

In terms of a preferred position for you, what do you view yourself as?

Oh, I'm a combo guard.

All things being equal, where do you prefer to shoot the ball on the court?

I like the one-dribble pull-up at the free throw line or just a  catch-and-shoot three.

From anywhere in particular?

From the volleyball line in.

In terms of working out and training, Eli (Thomas) had mentioned that you guys were working out with a trainer.

Yeah, Tyler Relph.

Oh, yeah, I know about him. He was originally from upstate New York

Yeah, he trains like Amar'e Stoudemire and stuff. I work out with him a lot and then also I spend a lot of time working out on my own…well, pretty much every day of the week…when we don't have games.

You were mentioning before that you do strength and conditioning.

Oh, yeah, I do a lot of strength and conditioning as well.

Which schools are recruiting you right now?

Texas, Texas A& M, Baylor, Wisconsin, Duke, UCLA, Baylor, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and SMU

That's a nice list to start out with. Have any of them formally offered you at this point?

Texas A & M and Arizona. I didn't mention them, but Arizona is also recruiting me.

Don't worry. You had a lot of schools to remember.

Yeah, definitely, there's a lot of them.

Who would you say that you try to model your game after?

Probably a mix of Steve Nash and…I don't know I guess a lot of Steve Nash and then, well.

A scoring point guard

Yeah, that's my favorite type of player.

What is your current size?

I'm about 6'5" and 185.

In terms of your weight, what would like to be by the time you start playing high school ball again?

It really doesn't matter to me, but probably 185 to 190.

Defensively, which position do you feel most comfortable guarding?

Probably the two, but sometimes the one, if I have to. Mostly, the two..

How would you assess your ability to drive the ball at this point, your handle, etcetera? Do you work on a lot of ball-handling drills?

I just like to get my teammates involved. So, when I drive, I don't really look to shoot first. I look to dish it off really. If there's a layup, I'll take it, but my first thought is to dish it off.

A combo guard.

Yeah, yeah.

What's been your favorite basketball memory so far?

Definitely, the Peach Jam in Augusta, Georgia. That was a really cool experience. I'm looking forward to going back to it next year.

What about playing in front of college coaches?

Oh, that's just a blessing. 

There's such a small percentage of kids that do.

Yeah, absolutely, I feel blessed.

What will be some factors in your decision? What will be some things that you'll be looking for?

I'd like to be able to click with the coaching staff. My mom and dad are going to help me make my decision and I'd also like to go to some place that I can play when I get there. I don't want to have to redshirt.

So, immediate playing time and a good relationship with the coaches?

Yeah, yeah.

 

What do you know about Duke and Coach K?

Well, I've been watching them since I was younger. Well, like, everybody I guess.

They are on television a lot.

Yeah, definitely. I don't talk to Coach K much. I've talked to Coach Wojciechowski a lot though. I don't know, but I just like them a lot and I'm really excited for that particular visit. It's supposed to be a beautiful place and, so, I'm pretty excited for that visit.

 

It is a beautiful campus. What would you like the audience to know about you away from the court?

I'm kind of a chill person. I keep to myself a lot. That's really it.

 

Do you know what you shot for the high school season?

I don't know. I think I shot fifty-six to fifty-eight percent from the field and I think that I averaged like nineteen or twenty points a game in high school ball. I don't know about this summer though.

 

That's fine. Don't worry about that. What are your goals for next season, individually and team-wise?

Are you talking about the high school season?

Yes.

Oh, um, hopefully, I'm going to lead my team to state, well, me and Eli…we have a high chance of having that happen

You've got a nice one-two punch that any coach would love.

Yeah, we should be pretty tough. This year, I got All-Region and, next year, I want to make All-State.

I know that you guys both shared newcomer of the year.

Yeah, and newcomer of the year.

 

I asked Eli for one on you, but, as the son of a scout and someone who knows him very well, can you give the audience a scouting report on Elijah Thomas?

Oh, sure, he's big and a beast. Nobody can really guard him because he is so big. He has great hands and great feet.

He lost a lot of weight too.

Yeah, he's lost somewhere between forty and sixty pounds.

I'm sorry I didn't want to interrupt you.

No problem, he's a big big. He can finish around the rim and I think that, by the time he's a junior, he'll be able to shoot threes because he's got such a great touch.

And you guys always work out together?

Oh, yeah. All the time.

Now, who does he remind you of? You were mentioning before that you've tried to model your game after Steve Nash. If you're Steve Nash, he's..

A mixture of Shaq and Zach Randolph

Active, athletic, wide-body types

Oh, yeah, that's his type

You were mentioning before about playing in front of college coaches. Do you get excited? Nervous? What are your emotions or thoughts like when coaches are coming to watch you?

Oh, I get really excited before the game because I know that they could be anybody else, but they've chosen to watch one of my games. 

Sure.

It's been pretty cool.

 

Thanks very much, Austin.

Thank you for interviewing me.

[/private]

 

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Explosive Potential: An Interview With Robert Hubbs III

6'5" Duke Recruit Robert Hubbs III of Newbern, TN, Photo by Andrew Slater

"Basketball never stops" is a current marketing slogan from Nike, but it also describes the kinetic lifestyle of elite prospects like potential All-American Robert Hubbs III. It's the price a young man pays for going from a local prospect to a regional target to a national recruit. This Saturday, Robert will be playing in the Big Strick Classic on 138th street in Manhattan, after scrimmaging the night before at the courts of Dyckman Park. It's more than one thousand miles away from his hometown of Newbern, Tennessee, a small town less than a two hour drive north of Memphis. For Hubbs, a high-scoring wing with a disarming smile, this is the culmination of a four month cross-country tour that has seen him raise his profile nationally, while garnering awards and hard earned college scholarships from programs such as Duke University.

As part of the coaching staff with both Dyer County High School and M33M AAU program, Robert Hubbs II has been working very closely with his now 6'5" 190 lb. son on skill development and helping to build his core strength. They work on taking roughly two hundred and fifty jump shots per day. It has enabled Robert, always an explosive athlete, to have the confidence to take deep three-pointers and it has forced defenders not to play as far off of him as they did in the past, when they primarily feared his penchant for attacking the rim.

In April, at the Jack Jones Shootout at the Briarcrest Christian School, Coach Mike Krzyzewski of Duke University saw Robert Hubbs III for the first time and, within days, the United States Men's Olympic basketball coach formally offered the rising senior an opportunity to be a Duke Blue Devil. Hubbs, a Lakers and Kobe Bryant fan, has steadily seen his rankings rise as he's performed well at such events as the Real Deal in the Rock in Arkansas, the Reebok Breakout Challenge in Philadelphia, the Best Buy Classic in Minneapolis, and, most recently, at the Fab 48 in Las Vegas.

Forming a potent one-two punch with friend and fellow Duke recruit 6'9" Austin Nichols, the M33M tandem utilized the pick-and-roll and high-low passing game effectively and consistently. Defensively, Nichols, a skilled, highly athletic forward from Colliersville, Tennessee, also provided shot-blocking with his 7'2" wingspan, while Robert Hubbs gave Coach Ernie Kuyper of M33M the coveted defensive versatility of being able to guard all three perimeter positions with his athleticism and length. Austin Nichols magnanimously said of his running mate, "Oh, he’s a great player. He can run, he can jump, he can shoot the ball. He’s a great ball-handler. He’s just a great player overall. He’s been great to play with."

Hubbs will be sitting down with his mother, Lesia, and father, Robert II, soon and trimming his list of potential destinations for college, but he'd like to play in front of a passionate fan base, as he has grown accustomed to with the Dyer County HS Chippewa, and compete for a National Championship.

We spoke about the recruiting process, his rapid ascent, playing with Austin Nichols, his explosiveness, and working with his father.

 

For others who haven’t seen you play, how would you describe your game?

I like to attack the rim, get players involved, and make everybody, including myself, involved.

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Jeff Borzello: What schools are coming after you hard right now?

A lot of SEC schools and couple of ACC schools. 

Jason Hickman: What schools have offered you?

Really, all of them. Well, all of the SEC schools, except for Kentucky and LSU.  Duke has offered me, Oklahoma State has offered me. A whole lot of them really. Gonzaga. 

JB:Who’s coming at you hardest?

Probably Tennessee. 

JH: Has Auburn moved up higher on your list since they hired Ryan Miller as their coach?

Well, you know, Auburn is a good school, but I’m still wide open right now. I’m just taking it day by day. 

Which visits have you taken and what ones do you have planned?

I’ve been to Auburn, Mississippi State, Missouri, Vanderbilt, Memphis, and Tennessee. I don’t have any officially planned yet. I don’t know yet. 

Jason Hickman: When would you say was the point where you felt the attention coming towards you? Was there a turning point?

I would say in the middle of my junior year. I don’t know if there was a specific event, I just kept playing basketball with the guys and just trying to get better every day. 

JB: What are you looking for in a school?

Championship contender, fast-paced, a team that you know can get up and down. I want to win some ball games. 

I saw you here last year. How has it been for you playing with Austin?

It’s amazing. We’ve got great chemistry, we do a lot of pick-and-roll stuff. He’s a pick-and-roll guy. 

I like the nastiness that he showed here.

Yeah, yeah. So do I. (laughs) We work well together, we just play hard every day. 

Obviously, there are some schools that are looking at the both of you. Have you thought about playing together in college? Have you talked about it? What do you think the odds are?

We’ve talked about it. I mean, it’s just a different thing for me and him. 

Your handle has improved to the point where you can play more than one position. You can bring some versatility to a staff or a team. Where do you view yourself as a preferred position if you have a choice? 

I see myself as a two. I’d like to play a two or a three, but I prefer the two.

What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?

Well, my strengths are, you know, I’m an attacker.  I’m a long-range shooter. 

Well, you had a lucky bounce on that forty-footer.

(laughs) Yeah, well, my dad always tells me to shoot deep because that’s the only way you’ll learn.

What are you trying to work on?

I’m trying to work on my strength. That’s about it.

Is there a guy you try to model your game after?

Um, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, one of them.

You mentioned your range, but you look more comfortable shooting the ball.

I’ve been working a lot on shooting and training my shots since last year. I really used to not jump high enough on my shot. I think that’s helped with my shot. It’s helped my confidence. 

Well, you have such explosion.

Mmm hmm. 

Do you do a lot of repetitions? Do you take a lot of shots?

Yeah, I always take a lot of shots. I take a lot of shots with my dad. I take about 250 shots with my dad. 

Did your dad play at all?

Yeah, he did.

In college, too?

Yeah, in high school and then at an Arkansas college. 

That’s good. 

Yeah, yeah.

The two schools that seem to come up a lot with you are Tennessee and Duke. What’s the appeal of each? We’ll start with Tennessee.

Well, Tennessee, they go to a lot of my games, so I like it. I mean, it’s a good school. Duke is one of the best schools of all time, the best coach in Coach K.

Coach James is here. 

Yeah, yeah, Coach K is..

A little busy right now.

Yeah. It’s a good school. 

What would you like to see from the programs before you decide on it? What do you hope to find in the programs that you ultimately decide upon? Do you have sort of a checklist? Like factors in your decision.

First, an education. I’d really like a good fan base school. I’d like passionate fans at every game. I’d like to see fans in the stands. 

You’d like to see it packed?

I’d like to see passionate fans and stuff.  

I was reading about how your fans at your high school, Dyer County, are really passionate and hyped. Is that true? I heard they travel around with you.

Oh, yeah, man, I got fans that travel around wherever we go, whether it’s high school or AAU. They go everywhere. I’m fortunate. 

Who are some people that you will turn to for guidance, whenever you do make a decision? I assume your father. Who else?

My mom and my dad, really. Nobody really else.

That’s probably best.

Yeah. 

You talked a little bit about it before, but what do you sort of think about all of this attention since you’ve exploded onto the scene? It’s so much more than last year. It’s got to be a lot to take in.

I really don’t think about it. I just try to go out there and play hard every day, be the best player I can, and move forward.

How do you account for the improvement? Is it a matter of things coming together or maturity?

I don’t know. I really don’t know, man. 

When did Duke start recruiting you?

They started recruiting me at the end of April, I think. After the Real Deal. I don’t know exactly.

How did it happen? Did Coach K see you?

Well, you know, we won the tournament and I played real well.  

Can you give a scouting report on Austin (Nichols)?

He’s just like a good big man, you know. He’s a pick-and-roll guy. He defends the rim and scores the baskets. 

What are you working on most right now? A lot of shooting? What’s going on in terms of your workouts?

I’d say outside of getting ready for high school basketball, I’m just working on speed and getting stronger.  

Do you do a lot of running?

Yeah.

Who’s been the toughest opponent for you so far? 

The toughest opponent I’ve ever faced is probably Jabari Parker, I would say, at the USA tryouts. Yeah, I would have to say Jabari Parker.

How would you assess your defense at this point? I think you’ve improved that since last year. You’ve always had the athleticism, but you seem more committed this year than last year.

I really feel comfortable guarding everybody from the 1 through 3, or even the 1 through 4 if I have to. I’ve just tried to work on my body so I could work against a smaller guard, then build it up so I can play against a bigger one too.

Defensive versatility.

Mmm Hmm.

What about your handle?

That’s one thing I try to work on a lot. It’s something that I’ve always got to concentrate on. You’ve gotta be able to dribble the ball anywhere. When I go with my dad to the gym or whatever, I work out. 

That’s what I told somebody else that the kid’s handle has  improved so much from last year, that now he feel comfortable being able to dribble anywhere around the court. 

Yeah. 

A kid in the stands wanted me to ask you what your vertical is? He heard that it was forty-eight inches.

(laughs) I really don’t know. I mean they measured it at the Reebok camp, but really didn’t tell me. (laughs) 

I'm not sure about that forty-eight inches, but, it’s gotta be huge, though.

Yeah, yeah. (laughs)

Where do you think you got that explosiveness from? Genetics? Your father's work?

I guess both my dad and the weight room. I just work a lot on explosiveness.  We do a lot of drills to make me jump higher. 

What’s your favorite NBA team? Are you a Grizzlies fan? You were wearing that Miami Heat shirt.

No, I’m a Lakers man. I’m a big Kobe guy. 

What would you like the audience to know about you away from the court?

I’m a very quiet guy, you know.  I don’t go out...I stay at home and I play video games. 

Yeah, sure. What’s your favorite basketball memory?

I really don’t know. 

What’s your current size?

6’5 ½,” 190. 

What would you like to be in terms of your body by the time you’re ready for college?

6’6” to 6'7" 210.

You mentioned before about speed, but in terms of strength and conditioning, what are you working on most? Maybe tell people about your regimen.

Well, in terms of strength, I go to the weight room..a lot. I do a lot of types of drills and stuff. Fast-paced, you know, getting stronger. 

What’s your timeline in terms of making a decision?

I thought about November, but it’s really in God’s hands. We’ll let Him work it out.

Thanks a lot, Robert.

Thank you.

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