Here is the second of several interviews from the NBAPA Top 100 Camp. [private]
This is Mark Watson reporting from the NBA Top 100 Camp with Mychal Parker sitting beside me. Mychael, talk about your experience so far.
My experience has been really good. I'm real excited to be here because you have to be chosen to be here. I'm excited to play against some of the guys here, many that will make it to the NBA.
A lot of people are wondering what's going on with your recruitment, can you talk about that?
Maryland, Miami and Virginia are being aggressive. All of them have offered already. N.C. State, Carolina and Virginia Tech have offered except for Carolina.
How would you describe your game to someone that had never seen you play?
I'm a great slasher. I try to be a good leader on the court, being vocal. I'm working on my shot to make it more consistent this season. I'm just working hard. I like to play defense as well.
So, you like to play "D?"
Yes sir.
Tell us about Mychal Parker off the court?
Sometime I like to be relaxed, but I will go with my Dad and work out and lift weights. Just chill, man.
With you playing in so many AAU tournaments, how much spare time would you say you had at these events?
Spare time? (smiling) None! So whenever I get a chance, I'm chilling.
You've now played in three games - who are some of the toughest players you've gone up against thus far?
Michael Gilchrist, Roscoe Smith and Reggie Bullock. I went up against those three. I wanted to go up against the top players and shut them down, I didn't want them to go off on me.
Back to recruiting, do you have a timeline on when you'll make a decision?
Next spring, but I'll cut my list this July.
When?
July 15th.
So, when that list is made that's it?" Nobody else gets in?
Yes sir.
Who will play the biggest role in helping you make the final decison?
My father.
Did you learn your basketball skills from him?
Yeah definitely, he taught me everything.
Your mom?
My mom? She was just a girly girl.
A girly girl?
Yeah
In a perfect world what would happen in the next two years of your life?
For one to be the best I can be on the court and off the court. And two, just make something out of my life.
Mychal Parker, thanks for your time and good luck the rest of the way.
During the first day of the NBAPA Top 100 event, all eyes were on Harrison Barnes and his family. His Mom and sister you say? Yes, many media members were in her ear throughout the day as she watched her son put up 14 and 10 points in his first two games. BDN set up an interview with the camp staff, which was supposed to consist of the Charlotte Observer, a writer from Basketball Times and myself, but you will hear others crash the party after the first several questions during this audio [private] clip. Much more to come. One note, pay no mind to what Harrison says about his upcoming visit to UNC and his downplaying of Duke. All is well.
Harrison Barnes goes airborne during his first game at the NBAPA Top 100 Camp, BDN will be throwing out timely updates all weekend long. Photo c/r BDN Photo
The NBAPA Top 100 Camp is underway and you can listen to BDN's audio updates from the event throughout the weekend. For the full effect join Blue Devil Nation Premum where we have already secured interviews with Brandon Knight, Andre Dawkins, Harrison Barnes and well, many others. Check back for the Harrison Barnes interview which we'll put up for free to give you an idea of the interviews our subscribers get on a regular basis.
BDN's Andrew Slater has his second in depth interview up from his coverage at the Rumble in the Bronx. This time he gets the latest from a major Duke recruiting target Kyrie Irving. To read this entire interview and to be set for coverage from the NBAPA Top 100 Camp starting tomorrow, join Blue Devil Nation Premium. Also, take advantage of our trial offer for first time members and see for yourself what the talk is about.
In a game characterized by its physicality, which culminated in the New Jersey Roadrunner star getting upended and crashing on his head, Kyrie Irving kept his cool in defeat against Team Florida. While the nearly 6’2” rising senior guard from West Orange, NJ had come off one of his toughest shooting games in a while, notably connecting on two of nine after the fall, the Duke recruit was still gracious, albeit woozy, enough to go through with the Blue Devil Nation interview less than twenty minutes after the crash.
Blue Devil Nation - Can you give an update on your recruitment? Are there any major changes in your recruitment in the last month?
Kyrie Irving -Well, I visited UConn.
As I recall from the last time we spoke, you were going to make visits to Texas A&M, Indiana, and Notre Dame.
Texas A&M?
Yeah, the last time you said you were going to Texas A&M.
Oh, okay. Yeah, I never made it down there. But, yeah, I only made it to UConn and Indiana. They were great. The schools had tremendous facilities and the planning staff was good also.
What sort of things did you do on the visits?
Well, just the coaches took me around, you know. They showed me the basics.
Sure, sure. Do you have any visits planned?
Yeah, Texas A&M and Notre Dame over the next few weeks.
I was looking at your Twitter account the other day. You’ve got a lot of positive affirmations up there. Let’s start with “Back to the lab.”
(laughs)
I like the imagery. Talk about the mindset that you bring when you go to the gym and work on your game. Expound upon that a little bit.
Well, what got me to the point or, rather, got me to the player that I am today is just working hard. You know, staying hungry.
“Humble and hungry?”
(laughing) Yeah, humble and hungry. Just every time I go out there just proving myself.[private]
With the “back to the lab,” you’re working on things. It’s a mindset, right?
Yeah, exactly, just trying to get better each time.
Your handle has gotten tighter over the past few months. Do you think that’s just a natural progression or do you credit the additional work?
Yeah, well, it’s natural, but it’s also going hard every drill in every practice.
Do you work out at various gyms? Alone or with others?
I workout at one gym. It’s actually a Jewish YMCA with Sandy.
Now, does he help you out alone. Or does your father help too.
My father and he do…my father and him. It’s mainly Sandy in the summers, but I work out with my father in the winters.Talk about your work ethic and how you feel it differentiates you from other talented players that are your age.
There are some guys with talent, but no work ethic. Then, there are guys with a great work ethic, but not much talent . When you find guys that share those rare guys that combine those two positive traits, you get a Kobe Bryant, a Tiger Woods of the world, or a LeBron James. There are so many guys that have a lot of talent, but they get lazy or satisfied when they first receive some accolades and don’t maintain that drive. How do you guard against getting self-satisfied?
When you go against guys that are just as talented as you, you know, has your skill set, what’s going to determine the difference is your motor…your endurance…and just…when the crunch comes at the end of games, what are you going to do? I put myself in those kind of situations all the time. I practice those situations.
End of game situations?
Yeah, you know, just try to maintain and be consistent from game to game. Don’t lose your focus.
The one player you’ve mentioned has been Kobe Bryant. There’s one move that you do off of a high screen that looks like an imitation of Kobe Bryant. What have you learned off of watching Kobe because it looks like you’ve gotten a couple of moves?
Yeah, you know, just stay consistent and…
That killer attitude?
Yeah, “seek and destroy.”
How do you feel you’ve played in the AAU season so far?
I think I’ve played well, but this one wasn’t one of the better ones.
Yeah, this was about as much as I’ve seen you, well, it wasn’t your best game. They were doubling you when you got the ball and then they also decided to get very physical with you.
Yeah, I don’t know. I don’t know lately. Just lately… I took a break. I just took a break from school. Wait, not from school. I finished school. I took a break for about a week and so I’m still rusty…a little bit.
Yeah, well, this was an unusual game for you.
Yeah, Yeah, don’t worry, this isn’t going to happen consistently…at all
Another one of your themes has been “making it to the League.” Are you looking to get there as fast as possible? Or do you want to be in a good position, possibly a lottery pick, by the time you‘re looking to leave?
Nah, nah, I’m not looking to go one and done. Yeah, I want to be in a good spot, like a lottery pick.
Different players have different philosophies. Some guys are looking to get out as fast as possible.
No, I’m not one of those. Whenever I’m ready, I’m ready.
How do you feel about the NBA’s one year law? What do you feel the rule should be? What would be your answer or solution, if they made you NBA Commissioner for a day?Kyrie Irving:
I feel as though, if you’re ready, you’re ready. You should be able to hold your own fate in your hands.
So Commissioner Irving would say ...
I would just move it back to eighteen. You know, if you’re ready, you’re ready.
Do you wish the college coaches could get more of a look at your work the past few months or are you glad that they’re now limited to mostly July?
I wish they could be out here, but I don’t think that it would’ve made much of a difference. Yeah, I wish they could come out, though.
What are you going to try to show at two of the more visible events before the coaches get a chance to observe you, in the NBA camp and at the LeBron James camp?
Just show them I am a complete player. Shooting, passing, playing point guard…just being a complete guard
Now, you’re going to be going against some of the best players in the country.
Oh, I’m ready for it. I’m excited about it.
You’re asked to carry a heavy burden on this team. Do you try to pace yourself consciously or give max effort and take your rest on the bench and after the game?
That’s interesting. I try to go all out, but I also try to take my breaks here and there.
With the amount of playing time you’re getting and being the absolute focal point of the offense, you simply can’t go all out both ways.
Yeah, I try to pace myself as the game goes on. You know, pick your spots. I’m sorry, you know, as soon as I took that fall, I didn’t know what was going on. That fall...it really…
Absolutely, it looked like you cut open the back of your head.
That fall really took me back. It was a real wake-up call.
But generally, you try to pace yourself?
Yeah, I have to… here.
Do you feel good about St. Patrick’s chances of winning back-to back at the Tournament of Champions? You lose Dexter Strickland and Paris Bennett, but the program returns you and Mike Gilchrist. Also, who are some top teams that people should watch you against next year? Patterson Catholic?
Yeah, we definitely should win again. I’ve been hearing good things about some of my teammates and how they‘re playing already over the summer. In terms of the teams in Jersey that should be tough, yeah, Patterson Catholic and Trenton Catholic too.
Lastly, you’ve gone from being a one-man gang where you could score at will at MKA to playing on an elite team where you play more of a role on the team that‘s winning big? Do you think that gives you an advantage in terms of having a better understanding of the plus and minuses of both sides for when you decide upon a college, as opposed to some kids who will only see one side of the fence?
Oh, um, well I’m looking for a college that’s going to surround me with other good players… so that we can go far in the Tournament.
Since you’ve seen both sides of the coin..
Yeah, I mean I love having the ball in my hands, but I can also play off the ball.
I was just curious.
Oh, no, I’ve seen both sides of the coin.
Thank you very much.
No problem.
In the two games following the interview, Kyrie Irving came back with strong showings, netting 28 and 32 points, respectively. [/private]
Andrew Slater was on the scene at Rumble in the Bronx this past weekend where he covered Hippolyte Tsafack and Kyrie Irving. Here is his first interview with Tsafack and we feel you'll agree that Slater is one of the best at getting the story behind the prospects. So, enjoy this detailed interview where BDNP once again proves that this site is ahead of the curve. Our coverage of the NBAPA Top 100 Camp begins this Thursday and members will get timely reports just after the action takes place. It's a great time to join Blue Devil Nation Premium where you'll get the best Duke Basketball recruting coverage available.
On a humid Friday night in the Bronx, at the Vince Lombardi Center on the campus of Fordham University, Hippolyte Tsafack, an energetic and gregarious 6’8” Cameroonian power forward prospect, spoke with me about a variety of topics ranging from his pilgrimage to America, what he is looking for in a college, and what he can bring to a program.
Hipp, as he is known to his teammates, helped guide the Miller School of Charlottesville, Virginia to its first state title over Duke recruit Andre Dawkins and his Atlantic Shores team, 69-61, this March. On the night of the interview, he was playing for the Albany City Rocks and his coach and guardian, Jimmy Hart, in the Rumble In the Bronx AAU Tournament. Following the interview, Tsafack played his best game of tournament scoring 12 points and grabbing 16 rebounds, including seven offensive rebounds.
Given the nature of his answers, [private] I feel it is necessary to clarify that, in no way, did Hippolyte Tsafack know that I was, in any way, connected with Duke University. I neither told him which web site I was affiliated with nor did I wear any Duke-related apparel.
Blue Devil Nation: Tell the audience about your journey from Cameroon to Charlottesville, Virginia.
Hippolyte Tsafack:Sure, I played basketball in Cameroon. I played in front of Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje. He played for Georgetown. He asked me to come and work out. I played for, like, two weeks and then went back to Cameroon. Then, schools wanted me to come after that time.
BDN: I know that Cameroon is officially bilingual, but did you find language to be a big adjustment or a stumbling block in your move from Cameroon to Charlottesville?
HT:Big.
BDN: Did you just speak French in Cameroon?
HT:Yes, just French.
BDN: Oh, wow. Did you find the adjustment to be tough?
HT: Yes, very tough, when I first got here.
BDN: Did you regard your move as a business decision?
HT:It was for an education. I did it so I can help my mom and my family.
BDN: Do you come from a large family?
HT:Oh, yeah, very large.
BDN: I was trying to study about Cameroon last night. Do you come from the more populated southern part of Cameroon?
HT:Yes, yes, I come from the southern part. I come from Yaoundé, which is the capital.
BDN: Thank God. That’s the one town I made sure to memorize and pronounce.
HT:(laughs)
BDN: What was your experience like this Spring, between competing for a state title and your recruitment heating up?
HT:Last year, it was very bad. This year it was very good. We won and I got scholarships to different universities. I never believed it could happen to me. It’s been great.
BDN: Someone was wondering, will you be going back to the Miller School or will you be looking at some other schools?
HT:I think I’m going back to the Miller School for my senior year, but I haven’t made that decision yet.
BDN: Do you have a timeline for when would you like to decide on your college, cut down on your list, visit schools officially, etc.?
HT: I don’t know when. I could decide at any time. I don’t really know what time exactly. I’ll try to, but I just don’t know when.
BDN: Have you been able to visit many schools thus far?
HT:I’ve seen a few schools, but I’d really like to go to schools that I really like. I’d like to go to a special place that I really like.
BDN: Are you doing well in school?
HT:Yeah, I do okay. I’m trying.
BDN: Well, you must be doing very well in French.
HT: (laughs)
BDN: Have you taken the SAT yet?
HT:Yes, May 2, but I don’t know what I got yet.
BDN: What schools have offered you so far?
HT:Maryland has offered me. Fairfield has offered me. Virginia Tech has offered me. I’ve got to watch Duke. Clemson, Florida has offered me, I think. I don’t really know the others, but I think I really want to go to Duke, but I’m going to take my time.
BDN: Well, that segues into another question that someone wanted to know, what is your impression of Duke?
HT:Oh, man, very special. I really want to go there. I mean I really, really want to play for Duke and in the ACC. That’s what I really, really want. I really, really hope I can.
BDN: Have you spoken to any of the coaches yet?
HT: Yes, I got to speak with Coach Nate James. I talked to, like, two coaches.
BDN: Did you like them?
HT:Oh, I liked him. I liked them a lot.
BDN: How good was the level of competition that you faced in Virginia compared to what you see in AAU ball?
HT:Competition in Virginia is good, but AAU took some adjustment. At first, I didn’t like it, but now I really like playing in it. I think I got it now.
BDN: What is your current height and weight?
HT:I got 230. I got 6’8.”
BDN: Do they have good facilities there, at the Miller School, for, like, working out?
HT:Not really, you can do it only, like, two times a week and there might be a crowd.
BDN: In your pictures, you looked really strong so I wondered if it was from working out or if you were just naturally that defined.
HT:Just natural (laughing). Just natural.
BDN: You’re lucky. What would you say is the thing you do best right now on the basketball court?
HT: Offensive rebounding. I can grab the ball and then pass it out or put it back up. That’s the thing I think I can do really well. The coaches say I have good court vision. So I look to pass, after an offensive rebound. I look for someone with a shot, an open shot. (does an imitation of using his peripheral vision after an offensive rebound to find teammates)
BDN: What do you think you need to work on most before you arrive on a college campus?
HT: I think I’ve gotta work on most is, um, really establishing position. Because sometimes I catch the ball and I’m like (demonstrates pump fake and moving his feet). I think that’s the number one probably that I need to work on.
BDN: You’ve got a rather unique first name. Were you named after the Greek god or the third-century Catholic martyr and theologian?
HT: Yeah, I’m Catholic.
BDN: I thought that might be the more likely one.
HT:My mom is Catholic. My dad’s Catholic.
BDN:Sure, what position are most schools recruiting you for?
HT: Power forward, power forward
BDN: Having grown up in a soccer culture, how do you feel that’s affected your basketball footwork, endurance, and mobility?
HT: I played soccer, yes, but… Oh, God, am I terrible. I’m just terrible at soccer.
BDN: What? Were you a goalie?
HT:Whatever I played, I was terrible at.
BDN:Who are some players you model your game after? Were Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje or Luc Richard Mbah a Moute players you looked up to?
HT:No, no. Kevin Garnett. He’s the player I’d like to play like most.
BDN: For those in the audience that haven’t seen you play, can you give them a scouting report on you?
HT:(gets emotional) I push my teammates. I bring energy. I never stop playing. They hit me. I keep going. I never stop. I play every game like it’s my last one. I just keep trying. I go after the ball. I can block shots.
BDN: Well, if you bring that energy or passion, coaches will love that.
HT:Oh, I don’t know. I hope so, man.
BDN: Where do you plan on going to camp this year?
HT:I don’t really know yet, I don’t know if I’ve been invited to any of the big camps yet. I think they want to see how I play in front of AAU crowds and stuff like that. I think I’ve got to do better if I want to get to the camps that I want to go to.
BDN: Do you get to watch a lot of television? ESPN? College basketball? I know they usually have a community television for a dorm.
HT:I watch television everywhere I go. I watch college basketball all the time. I watch Duke all the time. I watch the ACC, Florida sometimes, and UCLA too.
BDN: Can you assess your defense?
HT:My coach thinks my defense is pretty good actually. I play the ball pretty well. I try to lock down my man.
BDN: You’ve got big hands, even for your height.
HT:Yeah, I’ve got big hands, but I don’t really try to block a lot shots. It just happens. I just try to go straight up. You know keep my hands up. So I can defend, but not get in the foul trouble. (Hipp demonstrates how he defends and goes up in the air as well)
BDN: Do you enjoy the AAU season?
HT:Oh, man, I really enjoy it. That’s so much fun. You get to play basketball games and be with your friends and travel too. I really love it, man.
BDN: Who’s been the most difficult guy for you to guard?
HT: Oh, man, the most difficult player I ever guarded was probably Ed Davis. He plays for North Carolina.
BDN: What sort of style of play will you be looking for in college?
HT:Up, down, never stop playing and high energy
BDN: What is your summer schedule going to be like?
HT: All of them. I go to Peach Jam. I go to Nike camp. I go to Florida.
BDN: What’s your range normally?
HT:I can go to the (foul) line…I can go shot…boom (Hippolyte demonstrates how he shoots a jumper)
BDN: What will be the most important factors in deciding on the university that you ultimately choose? What are you looking for in a college? What are your priorities?
HT: Oh, the first thing is the education. That is number one. Then, I want to be the best I can be. To try to be the best. To try to move up in life. To try to make things better for me and my family. I think if I go to Duke I can do that. That’s why I want to got there. I want to get a the best education and I want to win the ACC. I think if I go to Duke that will give me the best chance to accomplish those things over any other school. I want to win the ACC and, if I go to Duke, I can get the chance. I really want to go there, man.
BDN: Can you assess your rebounding ability?
HT:Oh, man, you’ll see. I promise I’ll go hard. You’ll see I’ll go after the ball and, when I get it, nobody will take it away from. I hold onto it.
BDN: And how would you assess your play over the AAU season thus far?
HT:I think I’m playing pretty good right now. My game was going not so well a few months ago, but I kept working on my shooting and I kept practicing and stuff like that and it’s coming back and I’m happy about it. I think it’s really come back.
BDN: How long have you been playing basketball?
HT:For, like, six years, I’ve been playing basketball.
BDN: Before you ultimately decide, who will you seek guidance from in your college decision?
HT:It will be my decision, but I think I will call my Cameroon coach before I decide. He knows America too. I think he’s who I’d call.
BDN: What are your feelings about Coach Krzyzewski? Have you ever spoken with him?
HT: Wow! I mean wow! He coached the Dream Team. He coaches Duke. I mean you can’t get better than that. I mean wow.
BDN:After basketball, whether that is in college or in a professional league, what would you like to do with the rest of your life? Have you thought about that at all?
HT:Good question. Nobody ever asked me that. I want to work on my foundation. I want to help people with schools. I want to help with peace. I’ve thought about those things and I keep thinking about it. So I want to bring peace and I think that I can. I want to keep thinking about it.
BDN: So you’re thinking big?
HT:Yeah, man, I’m trying to think big.
BDN: What would you like the audience to know about you away from the court?
HT:That I’m a normal person. That I’m just like everybody else.
BDN: Thank you very much.
HT:No, thank you. Thank you for telling people about me. Merci, man. [/private]
BDN's Andrew Slater just reported that Kyrie Irving sat out eleven minutes with a knee injury, only to come back in and score 26 of his 28 points in the second half willing his team to victory. BDN Premium will have an interview up with Kyrie soon and Andrew will continue to chime in on the members only message board with the latest from the Rumble in the Bronx AAU event.
Here is the second of several interviews from the NBAPA Top 100 Camp. [private]
During the first day of the NBAPA Top 100 event, all eyes were on Harrison Barnes and his family. His Mom and sister you say? Yes, many media members were in her ear throughout the day as she watched her son put up 14 and 10 points in his first two games. BDN set up an interview with the camp staff, which was supposed to consist of the Charlotte Observer, a writer from Basketball Times and myself, but you will hear others crash the party after the first several questions during this audio [private] clip. Much more to come. One note, pay no mind to what Harrison says about his upcoming visit to UNC and his downplaying of Duke. All is well.
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