Hairston and Thornton are two of the players Slater is covering - picture is copyrighted by BDN Photo and may not be used without permission.
Andew Slater is on the scene in Las Vegas sending back live reports on the BDN Premium message board. Do you want to know who's hot and who's not? Is there anyone new on the radar or falling off for that matter? Slater tells you who is playing well and who Coach Kryzyzewski and his staff are focusing on. Here is the day one recap - [private]
Notes from the message board-
- TT finished with only five points in the opener, but hit a three, which is something he said the staff wanted him to work on. Josh Hairston led the team in scoring with 13 and had a double-double, as the opposition could not match-up with him on the inside. After the game, I spoke with Josh and he talked about the staff trying to make him into a inside/out player a la Singler. He seems excited about moving onto Montrose.
- Marshall Plumlee was playing at the same time, but twenty minutes away. I drove over there afterwards to find that he had scored twelve in a blowout win for the Indiana Elite 16s.
- I'm watching Memphis Magic (Joe Jackson, Tarik Black) face off against Pump and Run Elite. Roy Williams and staff, Donovan, Howland, Calipari, Sendek, Crean, Huggins, and Pastner are here.
- Powell didn't play as well as he did at the LeBron James, but his Grassroots' team won a nail biter. For that matter, Tristan Thompson didn't hit a single shot. Cory Joseph stepped up big time for them. I talked with Powell briefly, but will try to speak with him again tomorrow.
- The next game involved the DC Assault duo of Thornton and Hairston. Hairston once again led the way in scoring with 17, including a three in the first half. Tyler struggled with his shot and scored four (total) on a pair of opportunistic fast breaks. I'll try to give a scouting report, when I return. Wojo was the only Duke coach watching this game. He sat with Utah's head coach, Jim Boylen. After the game I spoke briefly with TT, he said he thinks Grassroots Canada (Tristan Thompson, Myck Kabongo, Cory Joseph, Dwight Powell) may be their toughest comp.
- Wojo is watching Dwight Powell in an absolutely packed gym. [/private]
BDN covers all the major events in person, including Barnes driving on Pressey at the NBAPA Top 100 Camp.
What can Blue Devil Nation Premium do for an encore after covering almost every major event? Well, go to Vegas of course. Not only will Coach Krzyzewski be named the coach for Team USA again, he will be taking in the nation's top high school prospects with a portion of his staff. BDN's Andrew Slater is in route to Vegas now. In fact he just reported in mid-air on our members only message board that Seth Greenberg and other coaches were on his flight.
Slater just finished his very popular coverage of the LeBron James Skills Academy and I just finished up the Peach Jam and will head to Orlando and the AAU Nationals this weekend to bring you the best AAU coverage of Duke prospects anywhere. At BDN, we get out to the events in order to tell you who the staff is watching and we bring you live updates from the events followed by interviews shortly thereafter.
There is not one other premium subscription site that can lay claim to covering all but two major events. In fact, they usually get their information from national recruiting gurus who do not concentrate on Duke prospects. If you have been on the fence about joining, now is the perfect time. I am so certain that you will like the coverage that I will grant a full refund within 24 hours of signing up. The BDN staff thinks you will be hooked once you try us, so what are you waiting for?
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Michael Gilchrist - c/r BDN Photo Join BDN Premium for the best recruiting coverage of any Duke site. We will guarantee that you'll like it or we'll give you a full refund within (24 hours) of signing up if you are not satisfied. That means you can read all of our articles and then decide for yourself in the aforementioned time frame.
Michael Gilchrist is a ridiculously talented fifteen year old prospect who could already compete at the college level. Every AAU event I go to, he seems to be hitting buzzer beating half court shots or dominating guys two years older and ranked at the top of their class. The hype surrounding this young fellow is still gaining steam and there is no doubt that he is the best player in his class and that his future looks blindingly bright. BDN caught up with Gilchrist and learned more about how his camp will be handling the process in the future.
I know it's tough after a loss like that for you guys don't lose many?
It's fine.
What did coach tell you about the next time, just bring it?
Yeah, umh, just give it your all. That's it, just give it your all. (BDN covers the AAU in Las Vegas starting tomorrow, join the best Duke recruiting subscription now and you won't miss a beat.) [private]
(Other site) What schools are you hearing from now?
What's that?
(Other site) What schools are you hearing from?
(That's when his mom stepped in saying, "We're not going to talk about schools right now. It's very early in the process for him." She seemed upset at the sudden abruptness of the question of schools from a member of another site. Hey, tone and easing in is important with these kids. The question about schools was asked in a not so friendly authoritative business like manner)
So, it is going to go down until the end?
(Mom again. " We have no idea, it's a family decision and we're just going to keep it close to our family. There is too much in the media about the schools and his selection. We are going to let him take his time and it's his life and his decision. That's what me and Dad have decided so that's the way it is going to be."
As a family are you feeling the pressure from all of the hype?
(Mom - "We don't feel any pressure, because me and Dad are driving this bus. Michael is fifteen he is having a good time, that's all." She then took a step back as the Nike reps eyes were wide from surprise at how she bristled.) I then felt as if I would try to close out the interview in some way other than walking off.)
Michael, what do you feel like you can improve on in your game?
I can improve on everything. Just improve on everything.
So, at this point you just want to concentrate on your basketball and not so much the recruiting process?
Yes, yes.
Okay.
Do you know where you guys are going from here?
I am going to Florida, the (AAU) nationals.
There are a lot of elite camps going on, have you been invited to any of those?
Just the skill academiess.
Thanks for your time and good luck the rest of the tournament.
In closing, I got the impression that Gilchrist is a young kid who is coming to grips with the hye surrounding him. With the nations top coaches and the likes of World Wide Wes watching your every move, it has to be daunting. Gilchrist seemed shy and uncertain with his answers, but his mom did allude to the fact he is just fifteen years old and that is something we all need to remember.
Michael is destined to be a special player. In fact, Coach K feels he is the best player in all of high school basketball at this early age. Duke knows that it will be a battle royall for his service, but they made sure that their presence was at the forefront in his games. The Blue Devils do have Gilchrist on their radar and contacts have been made. [/private]
Brad Beal caught the eye of Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski during the LeBron James Skills Academy a week ago. That put Beal high on the list of 2011 prospects for the Devils, who continued to watch him during the Nike Peach Jam. In fact Coach K and one assistant were front and center for two of his games, and a Duke assistant was in place for the rest of his games.
Beal is a well rounded player who understands the game of basketball. There are few weaknesses in his game at his young age and has steadily climbed to recruiting rankings into a top ten spot. Beal first caught my eye during the Boo Williams Invitational, where I took in two of his games.
When on the court for his AAU team, the St. Louis Hawks, Beal wears number 23, but his favorite college player growing up was JJ Redick. During the Peach Jam he was playing well, but foul trouble made his second to last game the worst I had seen him play. But he bounced back for a 29 point, 10 rebound, 4 assist, 4 steal effort in his teams final victory.
After watching this kid play, it didn't take me long to realize that this guy has some skill, so we've followed him ever sense. In fact, we were the first Duke site to ever mention Beal and secured the first interview with him. Our staff now seen Beal play 9 times, so we can break down his game for you. In fact, BDN has seen all Duke prospects numerous times, thus we can give you a "true" first hand account . I mean, would you rather hear about Andre Dawkins from someone who has seen him play in 23 games, or someone who goes on hearsay? That's what makes BDN Premium the clear choice for Duke Basketball fans.
The following interview is our fourth with the Beal - [private]
You really got into a lot of foul trouble in the previous game, fouling out with like eight minutes of play?
I really couldn't get involved out there in the game at all with the fouls. I felt as though I really let my team down but there really wasn't a lot I could do. There were a few bad calls but I just have to fight through and really play through it.
You really bounced back in a big way with a double-double of 29-10. Did you feel like you had to come out and prove something after the last game?
Yeah, I did. I mean we lost a gam earlier and we were all down and depressed about that. Coach told us not to worry about this game and just keep playing. And that's what we wanted to do, finish up strong in our last game.
Where does Brad Beal go from here? What are your thoughts with the process. You have said Florida was one of the leaders, but Duke seems to be hot on you now. I mean, we keep hearing Florida is in pretty good with you. Is there a chance that Duke might spark your interest and get into the fray?
It's possible. I am open to them right now, but all the schools that were in there from the beginning, they are in there. They were in it early, but Duke seems to just now be coming in.
So, you appreciate the schools that have been on you for a long time or from the start?
Yeah, I do because they took the time to come out and watch me early as a freshman, so I really respect that from the coaches.
Your mom mentioned that you had a lot of brothers go to school away from home, so distance is not a big factor ..?
No, not at all. My brother goes to school in Illinois and my older brother goes to school in Alabama so we are used to being aways from home, so it is no big deal.
Tell me a little about your high school and what it is like?
It's a college prep school.
So, education is a pretty big deal for you?
Yes, it really is.
You are too young to have taken entry tests, but how about your GPA?
It's a 3.8.
What are your favorite subjects?
Science and math courses.
What makes Brad Beal tick off the court or when you are away from basketball?
It's kind of hard being away from basketball. If I am, I am just hanging around the house with my family.
Is family big for you?
Yes, it really is.
Your Mom said she was stunned by all the colleges coming out to see you. Did you envision this happening or did you know you would garner this kind of attention and was it a goal for you?
Yeah, it really was. I wanted to prove myself to all the kids who were ranked above me. I was low and not really as known before and I just wanted to show everybody I could shoot and play as well as they can.
Have you ever given any thought to what you want to take in college or is it too early for that?
Probably, Sports Medicine.
You have aspirations for the NBA, is that correct?
Yes sir.
Who do you pattern your game after in the NBA and college?
Probably Ray Allen and Kobe. Ray Allen in the way he shoots the ball and Kobe in his aggressiveness.
Did you grow up watching college ball?
Yeas, I like college a lot. It's more exciting. For some reason it's faster than the NBA.
I appreciate your time.
Thank you.
In a brief chat with Beal he said that Coach K called him on Wednesday evening and that Duke would start recruiting him and they were now in the top four schools. BDN will have more on this later and we will also bring you an interview with Beal prior to this one. His mom was excited to see Coach K in attendance and mentioned that she hope Brad would change his mind about an early decision and hear what Duke had to say. She then mentioned Brad grew up a Duke fan. Tlak about this article on the BDN Premium message board.
Can you explain the injury to your fingers? What exactly happened?
I went up to block Marquis Teagues shot yesterday late in the game and I ripped off the side of my thumb and part of my nail and then I skinned the scab off when hitting the rim.
Well, it didn't hurt you that bad for you just tossed in 36 points.
I was trying to get a "w" out there.
The schools interested in you are out in full bloom, Duke, Kansas ... what are your thoughts on playing in front of them? [private]
Well, it shows that they have a lot of interest in me to watch me come out and play.
How much is the injury effecting your game? Is it hard catching the ball?
No, it's just a searing pain when there is contact, but when the adrenaline is pumping, I hardly feel it.
When did you know you would play today?
Well, last night I didn't feel like I would be that effective today, but it got better.
Your team was 0-2 and now you have two straight wins. Did you feel like you had to put the team on your back in the last game?
I knew we had to get a "w". We had to go 3-2 to advance in the tournament to advance.
(DI) Did you feel more assertive today?
Well, I felt like I was more aggressive.
(DI) You went to Duke and UNC recently ...
I had never seen UNC, but I had heard a lot of great things, so it was good to go down there and see the players and the coaches. Duke? I have been to Duke many times so I am very familiar with their campus and it's very nice.
(TDD) What did you like about it, tell me about the Duke trip?
I would just say it is a very homey atmosphere. Duke, the basketball players have a strong sense of family and Coach K really instills that in them, so it is a very homey place. I am starting to see more of the coach player relationship.
There were eight national championships sitting over there on the sidelines looking at you, what do you think about that?
I consider myself a winner and I like to see all those coaches and championships, but I would like to be a part of them some day.
When you get down to the nitty gritty with all these schools, what is important for you?
Academics is a big thing, a good business school and then basketball, how I might develop once I get there and the history.
Describe your game in your own words...
I would just say I am able to score, I have a good shot. I'm able to pull up and spot up for a jump shot, but I also have the ability to put it on the floor. On defense, I can really get up on people. I am long and lanky and a really good defender.
(DI) It seems like you are getting double teamed more and more, how do you deal with that?
I am getting used to this and if I want to make that a profession, I have to get use to that.
You will take a little time off now, right? You will play in the Nike Global Challenge?
That is correct I will play in that in August. But I will be taking some time off. I always thought the Global challenge is fun because you get to play against international competition. We know where we are in the US, but seeing others across the globe and where they are at is a lot of fun.
Do you enjoy doing things with USA Basketball and is it something you hope to continue with as your career goes along?
I definetly hope so, because when you step on to the camp or AAU floor it is about yourself, but when you step on the Global stage you represent the United States.
Harrison Barnes will not compete in any other AAU events. He will attend the Nike Global Challenge and the event at Rucker Park. I spoke with Barnes and while [private] I feel he will likely make his visits, Duke is in very good shape and is undoubtedly the team to beat.
Coach K, Collins and Wojo were front and center for his every move and you could see the occasionally glance. Barnes said some really good things about the program which I will cover later. Roy Williams came in late for his first game and any Tar Heels thinking they have a shot at him are fooling themselves. It is evident that Roy got in this one to try to derail Duke, but his ploys will not work this time.
It's almost sickening to see the media outlets all try to be his mom's best friend, but she seems to be enjoying the process. Former Duke Assistant Johnny Dawkins sat beside me for one of his games and he covets the could be savior. Dawkins has a good relationship with Barnes and his mom, but it'll be an uphill battle to get him there.
Interestingly, publications like Prep Stars talk of offers with Stanford. Dawkins read their publication and got a laugh for kids have to first apply at Stanford and be admitted before they can be offered the ride. This makes for some tough recruiting for the former Duke great, but he is plugging away.
When the staff goes to these events, it's all business, but they do take some time out for the K alumni. Capel sat with Coach K and Wojo for a bit as did Harvard's Kenney Blakeney, Notre Dame's Mike Brey and the aforementioned Dawkins. Coach K commented that Michael Gilchrist is the best player in all of high school basketball.
That makes for a good segue in that many have asked if Duke had interest in Gilchrist. Well, the answer is yes, but who doesn't. Coach K made sure he was front and center for two of Team Final's games and a Duke assistant attended every one until late in the third day of the Peach Jam event.
Coach K has talked with Gilchrist and was seen talking with World Wide Wes. He has also been talking with Gilchrist's mom about her son, so there is a relationship building. In an attempted interview, Gilchrist's mom shut out the media not allowing her son to talk of the recruiting process which pretty much ended it all right there. Stay tuned for more details, but it is fair to say that landing Gilchrist will not be easy.
Regardless of many saying the Andre Dawkins rumors were making the rounds there, I ran into plenty of people who did not know and I sure as heck didn't tell them. I remained for Dawkins' final game where he showed his capabilities going for a camp high 36 points. There will likely be some sort of official announcement forthcoming. There were plenty of loose ends that needed to be tied but will supposedly fall into place and AD has suddenly become a Duke darling for his recruiting prowess and the possibility of him joining a team in desperate need of a three point shooter, athlete and guard. Still, no more comparisons to Redick and unrealistic expectations please. Andre will help but he is still young and has a lot to learn. Again, somebody wanted this out there and it has not yet been officially cleared by the NCAA.
Brad Beal caught Coach K's attention - enough so, to where he watched him play twice. Beal is telling many that he will end the process early without official visits, but his mom is singing a different tune. In fact, she told BDN that she hoped he would allow Duke in and that it was exciting to see Coach K watching her son.
I am not ready to comment much about Austin Rivers, but he is letting it be known he is still a Gator to media types. However, Rivers slipped and said that he would attend some camps and that his Dad wanted him to make sure UF was the right place for him. "If Florida is the right place, then I will know after some visits," said Rivers. This is a sensitive issue that will have to play out. In the same interview, Rivers said he hope Beal would come to UF and the two of them are good friends from the AAU circuit. (I will not take questions on this for now.)
Duke assistants Wojo and Collins left the Peach Jam to go to West Virginia where they took in the play of Kyrie Irving. Duke feels really good about Irving and Barnes and for what it is worth, I do too. Irving may not be playing in Orlando now, we'll see.
Then there is Roscoe Smith. You may remember me telling you that Smith claimed an offer. Well, why would Duke deny it? It doesn't hurt them to let this one go, but in reality, Smith is a bit of a long shot.
Duke continues to look at the class of 2011 but no names will emerge until after this AAU season, save Quincy Miller who has an offer. There are some names being tossed around but I will wait and give you a definitive list in September.
Duke will also continue to look at Ray McCallum and Brandon Knight. After the Elite Camp in August, the dust will clear and a picture should start to develop and help answer a lot of questions.
Finally, a new name for 2010 is Dwight Powell. His diary is here and he stands 6-9, 215 and plays for Grassroots Canada. Duke is showing some interest. It's early on this one, but he caught a few folks eyes during the LeBron James Skills Academy. [/private]
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