Category Archives: Duke Basketball

Prospect Tony Kimbro continues to work on his right hand (Now free to public)

kimbro-300x255Blue Devil Nation Premium covered the Carolina Challenge this past weekend, and this is the first in a series of reports on the top players in the state of North Carolina.

So, what's changed since the last time I saw you at the Glaxo Invitational in Raleigh?

My jump shot and my right hand.

Do you mean you're working on that more often?

Yes.  I've been working on going to my right more often and my jump shot.

Has anything changed in regards to  your list of schools?

Not really.

Can you list them for me?

Oklahoma State has offered and Louisville has been in touch of late.  I'm getting a lot of letters and contacts.  I have pretty much the same list that I did in Raleigh.  (See our first interview with Kimbro which is located in our premium section)

What has Coach Gaines had to say to you?

He just said I need to step up and not just be a role player.

With Christ School's heavy losses, you will likely start ...

Yes sir.

Mason Plumlee was your roommate this past season and you obviously know him well.  What has he said to you or left you with since he will soon graduate?

He just said that when you come here (Carolina Challange) make sure that you work hard and play hard because you don't know who is looking at you or who is watching you.

Who will you play your AAU ball with over the summer?

I'm playing with Loyalty out of Louisville, Kentucky.

Of course, you are from there and your Dad played for the Cards.  Are you enjoying their run of late?

Yes, sir.  I'm loving it.

Do you think that's your dream school?

I've started to like Louisville a lot more.  I like the work they put into the game and that they never settle, always wanting more.

How do you feel about your play in the first game?

I feel like I played real well.

Are you still open to other schools besides Louisville and Oklahoma State?

Definitely.  It's still early in the process.

Good luck to you the rest of the day.

Thank you.

BDNP overview - Kimbro has some interest in Duke [private] , but the Blue Devils have made just casual contact.  Coach K sent word to Christ School coach David Gaines about what Tony needed to work on when he visited a practice earlier this past season.  Coach Gaines told me that he hoped to talk Kimbro into staying local this summer and playing for an area AAU team.  He stated that his Mom likely thought that would be a good idea too.  Kimbro still needs work on going to his right for that will be exposed at some point.  He is always around the glass and picks up a lot of garbage buckets, but needs to develop a consistent pull up jump shot.  His on ball defense is pretty good for his age.  He does take plays off on occasion, but when motivated shows off his talents. [/private]

BDN talks to John Wall about his visit with Coach K, “It was great!”

Wall posed for BDN at last years TOC event
Wall posed for BDN at last years TOC event

John Wall was able to sit down with Coach Mike Krzyzewski on Sunday evening.  Wall is the nation's top point guard prospect, and he will be making one of the biggest decisions in his young life by April 30th.  Blue Devil Nation Premium spoke to Wall about his visit and the first thing said was, "It was great," when questioned about the visit. [private]

Wall visited with his Mom and AAU Coach Brian Clifton of D-One Sports.   The three of them arrived around 6:00 and he talked to Coach K  just over an hour.  "A lot of people have told me a lot of things about him (Coach K) and he wasn't exactly what I expected, but I got to see for myself," said Wall of Krzyzewski.  Wall continued, "He told me how he would use me in his system and I like what I heard."

When asked if he could see himself in a Duke uniform running the show, Wall exclaimed, "Yes, I can see that."  The visit was a long time coming and many were starting to wonder if it would ever take place.  Wall said that he was able to tour the basketball facilities and that they were really nice.  "I felt comfortable and really liked what I saw," said Wall.

I asked if Wall had discussed the visit with his Mom and Clifton and he replied, "I really haven't had a chance to sit down and discuss it yet."  Wall did say that Clifton thought it was a great place.  He mentioned that he would be concentrating on the Nike Hoop Summit and that he may have taken all of his visits, which pretty much means Miami is out.  "Right now, my list is still the same," said Wall.

Wall was very upbeat during the conversation, but stopped short of saying he was offered.  "Well, not really, but I think it's there.  I know it's there if I wanted to come.  I'm pretty sure it's there."  It was clear that John was still processing the visit, but for all those who think he is not taking the Blue Devil's seriously, think again.  "The visit definitely helped, I feel better about them after talking with Coach K."

When asked what was the best part of the visit, Wall stated, "Just being able to sit down and talk to Coach K."

The Blue Devil Nation was the first to report of the pending visit and you can bet we'll keep you informed.  With the Curry addition and good vibes coming from Wall's visit, this has been a good day for Duke. I will have more on this article on the message board.  NEW MEMBERS -  Be sure to register for the members only message board.  If you are not up and running within 8 hours, drop us a line.  If you use a different e-mail address than on your paypal account, it may not stand out.  We have to manualy check off members as they join for we cannot keep non-members from registering at this time.   I will have more on the visit by noon tomorrow.  We will also bring you some news and quotes on from 2011 kids on the radar. [/private]

Seth Curry picks the Blue Devils

mens-basketball-action-sethcurry2-7-09largeSeth Curry decided to finish his college basketball career at Duke University.  Curry will be an incoming transfer from Liberty University and will become eligible in 2010.  Curry, a 6'-3", 180-pound shooting guard, will be able to practice with next seaso's team.  He was the nation's leading freshman scorer, tallying 20.2 ppg with the Flames this season.  He's the brother of ex-Davidson star, Stephan Curry, and his Father is Wardell "Dell" Curry, a former Charlotte Hornet and Virginia Tech player.  We will have more in Blue Devil Nation Premium.

John Wall Report Part II

John Wall - BDNP
John Wall - BDNP

Blue Devil Nation Premium is heating up and the news continues to roll in.  We are hitting our stride with recruiting earlier than ever this season, so now is the time to join!  I talked with Brian Clifton this afternoon and he acknowledged that  [private] Memphis would be an emotional choice and that Wall's Mom would prefer he stay near home.  When a trusted friend of mine who backs NCSU asked if he needed to be worried, Clifton replied no.  That adds even more mystery for many I had talked to said the Pack was out of it.  Rumors continue that certain alumni want Lowe replaced, but this likely will nor would it likely one and done Wall.

Memphis is still supposedly the leader and Wall will tell you that.  But just how much of a leader?  As I said earlier when asked about the departure of Tyreke Evans, Wall alluded to the fact that Henderson leaving Duke would make them more attractive due to the situation.

I still get the impression that Clifton is just going along for the ride for he just doesn't seem too enthused about the situation.  However,  a source close to an incoming freshman, said he would be alright with it, should John end up at Duke.

Despite my perceived vibes from Clifton, he did state that Wall playing with Ryan Kelly for D-One Sports was a positive and that Kelly wanted someone to get him the ball.

Wall also mentioned that he talked on occasion with Nolan Smith and Elliot Williams.  He  seemed upbeat when talking of Duke and excited about the pending visit.  The mere fact that Duke is stillon the list and he will have a face to face with Krzyzewski is encouraging, but reading too much into this on going drama may set one up for a let down.

The Pack desperately need Wall as a hometown hero, but with C.J. Leslie bailing, well, that can't be too good.  But again, don't read but so much into that for Lesle said NCSU was still a possibility when questioned today.  FWIW, Leslie was rumored by trusted Pack sources that he would test the water last July during the NBAPA Camp.  It took a whole, but that speculation proved to be true.

Memphis is trying to sell Wall on the fact that they are the perfect one and done school, but with a loaded freshman class and some returnees, just how many shots could Wall get there.

While Miami and Kansas were  previously listed, I hear that they are both out.  I am almost certain Miami is toast for they may not even retain their coach.  D-One Sports has played in tournaments in the Kansas region this past year.

Baylor is the enigma here.  How much pull does Clifton have?  For that matter, where does his high school coach Levi Beckwith come into play?  Beckwith attended the Carolina Challenge and it is said that he prefers the Pack, but likes Duke as well.  It makes sense that he would want Wall to stay local in that he will remain the coach of Word of God.  Still, he seems to be more on the outside looking in of late.

So, the soapy recruitment will continue, but time is running out on Wall and he has to make a move by April 30th .  He has said that the Jordan Brand All Star Classic would be a possibility, but he's also said a week after.  We plan on following up withWall after his meeting with Krzyzewski and will keep you posted on any breaking news.

We interviews with some of the state of North Carolina's best prospects coming, and yes, some of them mentioned Duke.  I will also have the actual quotes from Wall up by tomorrow.

And Curry will be on campus tomorrow.  Duke has wasted no time in attacking their needs with recruiting. [/private]

Breaking News – John Wall set to cut his list to three, will visit Duke

The race for the services of John Wall is still on and the Blue Devil Nation talked to the country's top unsigned point guard to get the latest scoop.  Wall will [private] trim his list to three schools by next Wednesday and maybe sooner. Wall told the Blue Devil Nation that he is set to visit Mike Krzyzewski and Duke tomorrow.  He will be accompanied by his Mom and Brian Clifton.  He also told BDN that he would sit down with his mom and mentor on Sunday evening to discuss trimming the list.  When questioned whether Tyreke Evans' imminent departure from Memphis would be attractive, Wall said that players leaving would have an influence on his decision.  He then mentioned that if Gerald Henderson left, Duke would be attractive.  When asked if Duke was still in it, he nodded.  As for the decision itself, he is still leaning towards the Jordan Brand All Star Game.  BDN Premium will have more on this later. [/private]