Category Archives: Duke Basketball

Henry Coleman Chooses Duke – Updated

Henry Coleman looks good in a Duke uniform. He is the fourth player to commit to the 2020 class. For more on recruiting, join BDN Premium during our one-year special.

The Duke Blue Devils got a pledge from 2020 power forward Henry Coleman III.  The Richmond, Virginia native made his collegiate choice moments ago at Trinity Episcopal High Scool.

Coleman opened a gift box which contained a Duke cap and placed it on his head.  Some Duke blue balloons on the side may have been a giveaway but his family and friends cheered loudly after his choice.  And for good reason for he is his class's president.

"Duke just felt like home."  The newest Blue Devil commit said he felt he fit in well with his future teammates.  He reiterated, "I talked to Coach K a couple of days before the visit and he said as soon as you get on campus I was going to know it was home."

Coleman stands a good chance of making an immediate impact with Duke which is expected to lose much of their frontcourt.  He is a hard-nosed and hard-working prospect capable of guard either forward spot on the court.

Duke coach Nate James played a vital role as lead assistant.  The Blue Devils gained their fourth commitment in the 2020 class.  Coleman will join recently committed DJ Steward, Jalen Johnson, and Jeremy Roach.

And his commitment brings another big plus.  "Now, I’m turning in to a recruiter for my team and I’m going after Mark Williams!," Coleman said in his USA Today blog.  He continued, "It’s easier for me because we’re actually best friends and we played AAU together for years, and we’ve always played really well together."

Coleman impressed the Duke staff while playing for Team Loaded on the Adidas Gauntlet circuit.  His improved play this past season drew a number of offers and the Blue Devils held off the likes of Virginia Tech, Ohio State and Michigan during the process.

Team Coleman

Interestingly, Nate James and Coleman have a lot in common.  James had the nickname Nate "Dogg," while in Durham and he was always around for a key rebound or basket.  Coleman should develop nicely at Duke with his athleticism and hustle.

Coleman fits in nicely with his future class and gives the Blue Devils a strong body in the paint.

The Blue Devils are far from finished with the Class of 2020.  They will now turn their attention to other key players including a big man back on the radar.  For more on the latest recruiting efforts, join Blue Devil Nation Premium during our one-year special.  We have years of experience and get out to the gyms to see the young men in person.

Check back for more on Coleman and his decision to attend Duke University.

 

 

Duke Basketball Recruiting Update Posted

Who will the next Duke commitment be? More on the recruiting front in our latest in-depth update.

We love doing recruiting updates at Blue Devil Nation but only after we have good information.  Our latest offering is 2304 words of what is going on with 2020 class and how things should play out.  After the exciting commitment from DJ Steward, Duke now has three players for 2020, but the staff is far from finished.

Who will be the next player to commit?  Where does Duke stand with key prospects?  When are they visiting and who else is in play for their services?  I try to answer those questions to clear the picture on the Blue Devils hoops future.

Be sure to take advantage of our one-year special, which is 60 bucks for the year in the link above.  I have been covering Duke since Coach K stepped on campus and that allows Blue Devil Nation to offer a unique perspective on the program which is set to get things underway for the upcoming season.

Note - new members need to also register for the message board and will then receive approval.

DJ Steward is Duke Bound

Duke got their third commitment for the Class of 2020 when DJ Steward announced he is heading to Durham.

Stewart visited the Duke campus this past weekend and has long leaned towards playing for fellow Chicago native, Mike Krzyzewski.

The sleek scoring hybrid guard joins Jalen Johnson Jeremy Roach in a class that is expected to sign several players.  Be sure to join Blue Devil Nation during our 60.00 for one year special and get stright forward information on how recruiting is playing out.

 

Captains DeLaurier, Jones and White

 

Tre

DURHAM, N.C. – Duke men's basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski has announced that sophomore Tre Jones and seniors Javin DeLaurier and Jack White will serve as the team's captains for the 2019-20 season.

DeLaurier and White are repeating as captains after leading the Blue Devils to a 32-6 record, an ACC Championship and the Elite Eight in 2018-19. Jones, an All-ACC guard and the team's leading returning scorer from last season, is serving for the first time.

"I am thrilled to have Jack, Javin and Tre as our captains for this season," said Krzyzewski, who enters his 40th season as Duke's head coach in 2019-20. "Javin and Jack did an incredible job last year leading our team. To have them back with that experience as seniors, and to add our point guard, is important. They are each great leaders in their own way and I'm confident our team is in good hands."

Since 1998, DeLaurier and White are the 13th and 14th repeat captains at Duke -- a list which includes current associate head coaches Nate James (2000 and 2001) and Jon Scheyer (2009 and 2010).

DeLaurier averaged 3.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game last year, finishing the year with his first career double-double against Michigan State in the Elite Eight. The Shipman, Va., native played in all 38 contests and started 16 while blocking 50 shots, good for third-best on the team.

White, from Traralagon, Australia, appeared in 35 contests a season ago, averaging 4.1 points, 4.7 rebounds while registering 37 blocks. An All-ACC Academic selection, White helped lead Australia to the bronze medal at this past summer's World University Games.

Jones enjoyed a prolific year as Duke's freshman point guard. recording the best assist-to-turnover for a season in program history of 3.62. The previous record of 3.03 was set by Steve Wojciechowski in 1997. The All-ACC and ACC All-Defensive Team pick finished last year averaging 9.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists per contest while pocketing 68 steals in 36 games.

Duke opens the season versus Kansas in the State Farm Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, Nov. 5.