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Category Archives: Duke Basketball
BDN Premium – Quincy Miller lists Duke and others
Quincy Miller is a Class of 2011 forward who stands close to 6'-8". He plays his high school basketball for Quality Christian Academy in Winston-Salem. Quality is sure to be one of the state's best teams next season and Miller is ready for people to take notice of his game. BDN Premium chatted with Miller during a recent event where he listed Duke as one of the schools he has interest in.
Quincy! Let's get right down to it. Tell me about your recruitment and what's been going on.
(smiling) Man!!! Since last year, my freshman year, it's just gotten crazy. Every coach in the country is calling my AAU coach and I mean everybody.
When you say AAU coach you are talking about ...
Brian Clifton and my high school coach Issac Pitts. Join BDN Premium and gain full access to the site, which includes a members-only message board. Take a look at our premium articles in the menu to get an idea of what you are missing.[private]
What has knowing Brian Clifton meant to you?
He's like a really important person in my life.
You guys (D-One) lost a tough game and he met with the team for about ten minutes after the game. What did he have to say?
He was mad. We've been working on a lot of stuff and getting better but we went back to our old ways.
You were having a lot of success down low but didn't seem to get the ball in the last eight minutes -
I was kind of mad at that, but I wanted to play defense and block shots. I'd rather play offense than defense.
What schools are recruiting you the most?
Um, Duke, Oklahoma State, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Memphis, both of the USC's South Carolina and Southern Cal. Oh, and Illinois and Purdue.
When you were growing up, what conference did you watch?
I watched mostly the ACC - North Carolina.
You grew up a Carolina fan, right?
Yeah
Would that make an offer from them the one you would accept?
I don't know because I'm going to have a lot of offers.
You mentioned that Duke has some interest ..
Duke has a lot of interest! They sent Spatola down there to watch me and I think next week at my practice that Coach K will be there.
What is it like growing up a Carolina fan and having Duke looking at you?
I like both schools. I like North Carolina and Duke. I've been on a visit to both schools, so ...
What kind of grades are you making?
I get all A's and B's.
If you were to describe your game to someone who had never seen you play, how would you do that?
I would say I play like Kevin Durrant or Lamar Odom because I can play inside or outside, I've got an outside shot and have a lot of moves. That's basically my game right there. And I'm a good shot blocker too.
Describe yourself off the court?
Um, funny. I'm a good kid though. I do my work and then joke around, not distracting other kids.
You play with some pretty good teammates on your high school team as well. Can you talk a little bit about them?
I've got some wonderful teammates. Javonte Redick, the one that just played, (it is worth nothing that his demeanor and answers have been upbeat the entire interview) he's 6-10! And Stargell, the fast kid, the dark skinned one, the guard! Those are my two teammates and they're real good.
You guys will have one of the better teams and will likely be invited to some national invitationals during the season.
Yeah. I can't wait for that. I want an opportunity to showcase my talent to everybody.
Where do you go from here after a tough loss?
We've just got to step up and put it behind us. We'll step up the next time out. [/private]
Paulus will pursue his football interests at Syracuse
DURHAM, N.C. – Duke graduate Greg Paulus announced his intention to continue his academic career and pursue his football interests at Syracuse University on Thursday. Paulus, a four-year letterwinner on the Duke basketball team, graduated with a degree in political science with a certificate in markets and management last weekend.
As a member of the Blue Devils’ basketball team, Paulus played in 139 career games and is one of only 20 players to start in 100 contests at Duke. He is also one of 59 Duke players to score over 1,000 career points, ranking 41st all-time with 1,193 career points. Paulus finished his career ranked among the all-time Duke leaders in three-point field goals (8th, 210), three-point field goal attempts (9th, 527), three-point field goal percentage (T-6th, .398), assists (9th, 468) and steals (14th, 172).
A two-time team captain, Paulus received numerous athletic and academic honors. He was a third team All-ACC selection as a junior and made the All-ACC Freshman team in 2005-06. He also was selected to the ACC All-Tournament team as a freshman. His work in the classroom led to being named an ESPN the Magazine third team Academic All-America in 2008 and 2009. Paulus was also named Academic All-District and ACC All-Academic twice in his career.
BDN Premium – Andre Dawkins talks Hoop Group Southern Jam Fest and future teammates
Blue Devil Nation Premium talked with Andre Dawkins before the championship game of the Hoop Group Southern Jam Fest.
Andre, you just erupted for 23 second half point to beat DC Assault and two future teammates Josh Hairston and Tyler Thornton. What are your thoughts on that?
You know, it was just a lot of fun. That's what the AAU circuit brings, you get to play against a lot of the guys you will in college and even those you may play with in college. So you know, it was just a lot of fun to go out there and play with those guys. Of course, after the game we were all back to normal but during the game inside those lines, we are enemies at that point.
Was there a little bit of friendly smack talk along the way? I saw Tyler and yourself doing a little bit of short grabbing along the way.
(smiling) [private] Yeah, yeah, you know all that stuff goes on, but it's just for fun. You know we all knew each other coming up a long time ago.
Tyler played pretty good defense on you early on where you had three points in the first half. You then erupted in the second for 23 points and got Thornton into foul trouble. Heck, you made 12 free throws in the second half alone.
I wasn't really hitting threes like I wanted to and when that's not working you have to attack the basket. He was in a little bit of foul trouble so I tried to post him up and get easy buckets or get fouled and knock down the free throws.
You have CP-3 for the championship game. They're pretty good - what are your thoughts going into that game?
They're athletic and so are we so it should be a good match up, so we just have to come out there and play our game.
You are known as the eternal, how should I put this, funny man and recruiter. Hairston said you like to goof on him a little bit out there.
Yeah, (smiling) just trying to have fun. You know we are young and just playing the game and it''s suppose to be fun.
How does it feel to be somewhat of a leader on a future team already, talking to prospects and such?
It's not something I really think about a lot, it's just something I do to have the best team I can possibly have in the 2010-11 season.
Are you still working on players like Harrison Barnes?
Oh definitely! Gotta work on Harrison.
What do you hope to work on the rest of the season?
I have been working on getting to the basket which I think has been evident in this tournament. I have to work on consistency in my shot becasue I don't want to be labeled as streaky. So, just consistency on my shot and driving the basket and getting fouls and things like that.
Good luck in the championship game.
Okay, thank you, I appreciate it. [/private]
Josh Hairston and Tyler Thornton talk with the Blue Devil Nation
We're playing catch up with our weekend coverage from the Hoop Group Southern Invitational. We'll start it off with a dual interview with Josh Hairston and Tyler Thornton who are teammates for the D.C. Assault AAU team. Of course, both of these kids from the class of 2010 have already signed with the Blue Devils. The following interview took place after DCA's first two victories. They eventually lost to Boo Williams in the semi-final round. We well also have two separate interviews with the duo this week. Stay tuned in to BDN Premium for a packed week of the latest from the AAU trail.
The first two games are down as easy wins. Where do you guys go from here?
Tyler - That last game was one we needed. We've been having a rough spring trying to come back and get it together after our high school season. We've come in here with a purpose and are trying to win this thing and show people why we are the best team in the country.
Josh, do you feel like it was important for you guys to have been able to save your legs in the two wins?
Josh -Yes sir it was. Of course you want everybody to play and to get a whole lot of minutes. We knew we had put them out in the first half and just wanted to keep it going. We were able to then finish it out with a lot of our guys contributing.
Tyler, have you taken a look at the tournament field? Do you guys take a look and say like, well this Chris Paul team is going to be tough?
Tyler - We try to see who we possibly will match up with, but we take every game one at a time. You can't look past the competition or play to the level of the competition, we've got to always focus in for the next game and hopefully we'll be able to play some of those great teams from the area.
Josh, have you guys ever played Boo Williams?
[private] I played with them when I was fifteen and under, but I haven't played against them since.
Tyler, what do you think of a possible match up with them?
I think it would be a great game and hopefully we'll get a chance to match up with them.
Would you guys bump (jokingly) your future teammate around (Andre Dawkins)?
Tyler - Hmmm, of course (smiling)
You would put him in the middle of you?
Tyler - Yeah ....
Are you guys keeping up with Duke recruiting?
Tyler -Yes sir, we know they've got some targets.
Where will you guys go from here?
Tyler - We'll go down to Bob Gibbons and after that I will work out with Nolan Smith a little bit.
Where does Curtis Malone come in to play here?
Tyler - Curtis is the big man, he's up at the top of D.C. Assault. He's the boss. He makes sure we get to the tournaments like this, that our gear is right and takes care of everything.
I saw Curtis at the recent awards banquet and he seemed to be having a good time hanging out, talking with Nate Dogg and such. Y'all do know who Nate Dogg is, right?
Yeah, yeah. (smiling)
They call him Dogg ...
Yeah, I know (smiling).
Have you ever seen his dog?
Tyler (Still laughing) Naw, not yet. (Josh laughing int he background)
Wait until you see it. It's a Mastiff ... I don't think I want to see it. He obviously doesn't want any friends. Maybe it's that nice looking new wife he has. (joking)
Tyler - Yeah, I think that might be it.
When is the last time you guys talked with anybody from Duke?
Tyler - Actually, it was last week. He called me from California where he was doing promotions for his book.
Josh - I talked to Coach Wojo last week and had a good conversation. I hadn't talked to any of them for a while so we just caught up on some things.
What do you guys have to say to the Blue Devil Nation?
Tyler - Me personally, I'm looking forward to going down there and trying to get a national championship. That's out main purpose and our main goal is to work hard and with the team and get a national championship.
Josh - Same for me. I can't wait to get down there and we are going to try to do everything we can to win the national championship. [/private]
Hoop Group Southern Invitational Interviews are on the way
As you all know by now, I have been off line for 72 plus hours due to a hard drive crash. Is this where I say avoid Dell for they are not what they used to be? Anyhow, I will spare you the rest of the gory details 🙂
I will have a lot of information coming from the Southern Invitational starting tomorrow. No more news on the John Wall front, but I do think [private] Brian Clifton likes what Duke offers, but I did not get the impression he was a major lean. He did seem to want John to make sure of his decision and as I said he will go where he does by the blessing of his Mother.
You can read into that many ways, so let it play out a bit longer. The talk of Kentucky leading could very well be true, but there is only one ball to go around with Meeks and Patterson eying the league by electing to come back. The team which has gained ground is Florida. Okay, enough on that for now, let's move on.
Quincy Miller mentioned Duke this weekend where he hasn't much before. He also said that Coach K would be checking out one of his practices shortly. Chris Spatola made contact recently, so Miller is on the radar. I will have an interview with him shortly.
I will have an interview with Ryan Kelly some time this week as well. I was to have called him back, but the hard drive issue halted everything.
CP-3 crushed Boo Williams in the championship game this weekend. Reggie Bullock is the real deal and the Enloe duo which I will cover later this week was large in this game. Boo was taken out of their game from the word go.
Boo Williams defeated DC Assault to get to that game, where Andre Dawkins scored 21 second half points after tallying 2 in the first half. Tyler Thornton guarded him tightly before getting into foul trouble. Josh Hairston was held to 3 points.
I will recap how each of these kids played in the coming days and break their game down for you. Interviews with each one are coming as well. Another player who had a 24 ppg average was Quinn Cook and we will hear from him and others.
So, let me get settled in with a borrowed computer and I will start to churn out some information. I'm truly sorry I couldn't update from the event this weekend. We'll catch back up and show you why this site provides the best coverage around. [/private]
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