Demopolis OL Steven Foster wants to learn more about Duke
With camp season in full swing, recruiting has picked up quickly, and Duke has extended offers to a number of top offensive linemen across the country, and BDN is profiling some of the top 2012 offensive line prospects. With Head Coach David Cutcliffe and the Duke staff’s ties to the state of Alabama, the Blue Devils have successfully recruited players like Johnny Williams and David Reeves in recent years, and hope to continue that trend in 2012. Steven Foster is a 6’3” 280 pound offensive line prospect from Demopolis, Alabama and helped Demopolis to a state title in 2009. The big lineman is interested in learning more about the Blue Devils.
BDN: Can you start off by describing your strengths for fans who haven’t had a chance to see you play?
I’m pretty big, I’ve got good size. I’m 6’4” 295. Most people don’t know football, but I’m pretty intelligent on the football field. I’m quick, I’ve got good feet and good hands. I’m strong in the weight room, and that carries over to the football field.
BDN: What are some of the things you have been working on this spring?
Trying to get stronger, working on speed and quickness.
BDN: What are your goals for your senior year?
Win a state championship, and of course go undefeated. That’s about it.
BDN: What coaches have stopped by or been in contact with you this spring?
Yes sir, we had a lot come by the school this year. We had Duke, South Alabama, Southern Miss, Mississippi State, UAB, Troy, Jacksonville State, Western Kentucky, I think that’s about it.
BDN: Which schools have you had the most contact with so far?
South Alabama, Duke. I’ve talked to Miami a little bit, South Florida, I’ve talked to them a lot. I talk to Memphis about every other week.
BDN: Have you had a chance to take any visits yet?
I went to some Junior Days. I went to Southern Miss, Mississippi State, South Alabama, and I plan on going to a couple camps. I’m actually at a camp right now at Southern Miss. I plan on going here and tomorrow to Mississippi State. Next weekend I’m going to Auburn, the weekend after that I’m going to Alabama. I think that will wrap up for June and then in July I’m probably going to UAB and Ole Miss.
BDN: Have any schools stood out to you at this point in the process, either from your visits or your relationships with the coaches?
Yes sir, South Alabama, I like them a lot. And I’m starting to gain interest in Duke too. I’ve been talking to them more and more, talking to the coaches on Facebook and calling them.
BDN: What stands out to you about South Alabama and Duke so far?
They have a great group of coaches, it’s a family type atmosphere and they like winning. I’ve played against some of the [South Alabama] coaches when they were in high school.
BDN: Do you have an idea for how you would like to narrow things down and make your decision?
After I take all my visits first.
BDN: Thanks a lot, Steven, and best of luck to you.
Pinecrest OL Bryce Kennedy is looking for a school with good academics
Many consider the strength of Duke’s last recruiting class to be the offensive line, led by Cody Robinson, Marcus Aprahamian, Lucas Patrick, and Matt Skura. Coach Luke and the staff would love to add a few more impact linemen to the roster in the class of 2012, but it’s been a slow start at the position so far. With camp season in full swing, recruiting has picked up quickly, and Duke has extended offers to a number of top offensive linemen across the country, and some close to Durham. One of the top linemen in the state of North Carolina resides in Southern Pines, and 6'3" 285 pound prospect Bryce Kennedy added a Blue Devil offer to his list a few weeks ago.
BDN: Can you start off by describing your strengths for fans who haven’t had a chance to see you play?
My biggest thing is I’m fast for my size, I get off the ball pretty quick, so I think that’s my biggest strength.
BDN: What are some of the things you have been working on this spring?
Trying to get stronger, I’m in the weight room a lot, doing a lot of weights. I’ve started the speed process, I’m doing less weights, a lot of reps, trying to get faster for the season.
BDN: What are your goals for your senior year?
My senior year I plan on giving my all, making plays, helping my team out, and I hope my team takes after me and gives it their all.
BDN: As you look at your college decision, what are the most important factors you are looking for in a school?
Main thing I’m looking for is if they have a good program in academics. I’m big on academics and my mom is too, so I know she’s going to want me to go to a school that’s big on academics.
BDN: Is there a particular academic program you’re interested in studying?
Not right now, I’m still looking around, but I mean schools like Duke and [North] Carolina, top academic schools.
BDN: What schools have you been in contact with the most?
South Carolina, East Carolina, NC State has been by. Clemson has been by, North Carolina by, and Duke has been by. I think that’s been about it. Wake Forest has been by. The schools I’ve been to already has been South Carolina, Duke, and North Carolina and I’m going to NC State this weekend or next weekend. Oh yeah, Stanford came by, too.
BDN: That was going to be my next question. How did your visits go to South Carolina, Duke, and North Carolina?
They’re all great, they’re all great schools. From what I saw, they’re all just great schools and would be great places to go to school.
BDN: Do you have any visits planned for this summer other than NC State?
I plan on going to Stanford this summer and Wake Forest and probably East Carolina. I’ll probably go back to South Carolina, Duke, and UNC too.
BDN: Have any schools stood out to you at this point in the process, either from your visits or your relationships with the coaches?
They’re all new to me, so they’ve all really, really, really surprised me. South Carolina, I know the coaches a lot, I know the OLine coach since I’ve been a freshman he’s been there and what type of guy he is. I like Duke and [North] Carolina a lot because of the campuses and I know how the academics are. I’ve talked to the coaches a lot and they seem like good coaches to have, like they’d be there for me and everything.
BDN: Do you have an idea for how you would like to narrow things down and make your decision?
Yeah, I’m going to talk to my parents about and see what schools are at the top.
BDN: Is there anything else you think is important for college football fans to know about you?
The only thing that’s really important to me is that I’m going to give my all on every play, I’m going to be there to support my team, and I’m a player that they can count on.
BDN: Thanks a lot, Bryce, and best of luck to you.
The high flying Wiggins has been contacted early on by the Duke staff. See what makes this prospect tick in our latest premium offering. Photo, Lance King for BDN
Out of a country that historically has championed hockey, there has been a basketball sensation named Andrew Wiggins, who has generated a great deal of interest internationally. At thirteen, an internet highlight video of him playing basketball spread virally and has generated nearly 2.7 million hits. Last summer, as a fifteen year-old playing for Canada at the FIBA 17U semi-finals in Hamburg, Germany, the Ontario native scored 20 points on seven of thirteen shooting against a loaded Team USA squad in a loss. Wiggins followed that performance up by scoring twelve points in helping Canada earn a bronze medal with a narrow 83-81 win against Lithuania.
Genetically, he's been blessed by having two world-class athletes as parents. His father, Mitchell, was an honorable mention All-American at Florida State and a first-round draft pick in 1983 for the Indiana Pacers. Mr. Wiggins, who was born in Kinston, North Carolina, played shooting guard professionally for a span of sixteen years, including six in the National Basketball Association.
Andrew's mother, Marita Payne-Wiggins, originally from Barbados, was an All-American track star at Florida State, where she met her future husband. At age 23, the 5'8" track star, won two silver medals, representing Canada, at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. More than twenty-five years later, she still holds the Canadian women's outdoor record for speed in both the 200 meter (22.62 seconds) and 400 meter (49.91 seconds). Although Mrs. Payne-Wiggins didn't win another medal, she competed for Canada in the 1988 Seoul Olympics as well.
Andrew, the middle of five Wiggins children, played briefly in America during the 2009-10 season for Ro Russell and Christian Center Faith Academy in Creedmoor, North Carolina, a thirty-minute drive from the Duke campus. Wiggins' parents elected to take him back to Canada to go to Vaughan Secondary School, just north of Toronto, for one year. This season, while competing for the Vaughan Voyageurs, the nearly 6'7" wing averaged twenty points per game. In very likely his only high school year in his native Canada, Wiggins enjoyed a storybook ending, scoring twenty-five points and grabbing thirteen rebounds in the gold medal game to lead Vaughan to a OFSAA AAAA Championship.
The now sixteen year-old Wiggins has joined CIA Bounce, where the 2014 prospect has been a major contributor (averaging nearly twelve points and over five rebounds per game) on both ends, for their 12-3 Nike EYBL campaign. This upcoming high school season, the oft described Canadian prodigy will very likely take his talents to an American prep school.
Sixteen miles from where his mother won two Olympic medals, Andrew Wiggins, the confident but soft-spoken young man with a loud game, spoke with a lilting Caribbean accent to Blue Devil Nation.
What's your current [private override_message="Just ahead is a 1600 plus word in depth interview with Wiggins, who says Duke is one of six schools to make contact thus far. By joining BDN Premium, you get access to this and all the latest information on the recruiting front. Wondering about the content here? Just go to "BDN Premium," articles and see just how many offerings we've had of late, "] size?
195 and 6'7"
What position do you view yourself as, a three or a two?
I think of myself as a two.
What schools are recruiting you?
Florida State, Duke, NC State, Kentucky, LSU, Kansas State, Syracuse, and that's about it.
Do you have a time frame in mind for when you'd like to decide by?
I would say grade twelve year.
Your father was obviously an NBA guy and your mother was an Olympic-level track star. Can you talk about their influences and how they may have helped you?
Well, since they're both athletic, I have amazing genes. I can look up to both of them because they're both athletes. If I have any questions or doubts, I can always ask them.
Yeah, I'm the middle child. I have two older brothers who play basketball and two sisters.
So you can always ask their advice too?
Yeah.
Do your parents tend to differ in terms of their advice, in that they come from different backgrounds or fields?
They're both competitors and they both just want the best for me.
Did you ever do track, by the way?
(laughs) Just in public school... in Canada.
Does it give Florida State an advantage with both of your parents having attended there?
Probably a little bit, because my parents went there. Yeah.
What advice has your father given you? Also, is he the type of father who wants to give you a lot of advice when you're on the court or is he the type that backs off and lets the coaches do it?
Yeah, yeah, he does. He just tells me to play my game and also to work on my shot when my shot is off.
Do you ever play against him, by the way?
No, not too much.
What's the best piece of advice he's given you so far?
Just play the game like it's your last.
That's cool.
He's very competitive.
What are your strengths and weaknesses? What would you say is your greatest strength?
I would say my strength is attacking the basket or attacking the rim.
What are you hoping to improve upon most this summer?
This summer, I mostly want to work on my jump shot.
What do you feel is your range normally? Where do you feel comfortable shooting the ball. I was watching out here tonight.
Well, my shot was pretty off.
I've seen enough of you before to know that you can shoot it a little bit.
Yeah, thanks, I feel comfortable out to the three point line. I feel pretty much comfortable anywhere out to that.
What style of play do you prefer? I would think with your natural ability you would like to go up and down.
Yeah, definitely up and down.
What are you hoping to show college coaches this summer in their limited time?
I'd like to show them where my skill level is at and that my jump shot has improved.
Who are the most difficult players that you've had to defend against?
In Canada or the US?
Either one.
In the US, I'd have to say Michael Gilchrist. In Canada, I'd have to say Kevin Pangos.
Is there a guy either in college or the NBA that you try to model your game after?
Oh, yes, the one I try to model my game after is Kevin Durant.
That's a good one to model your game after. Where do you plan on going to high school next year? Somewhere in America? There are rumors about Florida.
(Laughs) Somewhere in America, that's all.
Okay, somewhere in America, that's what we know. Who are some people that you'll turn to for guidance when you do decide?
Just my parents.
You've got that spin move and a crossover, but do you have a go-to move?
Oh, yeah, I like to sweep right and either go all the way to the basket or step back and hit the shot.
Do you have any visits planned to colleges?
No, no.
You're probably looking at high schools, right?
Yeah, high schools, definitely.
Have you spoken to any college coaches lately?
No, I can't speak to them.
Just checking.
(laughs)
Will distance be a factor for you at all?
No, not at all.
Which do you prefer to defend? The two or the three? They tend to switch you a lot during games.
I like to defend the two. They tend to be more high scoring and I like to shut them down. I try to take pride in my defense.
What differences do you find between Canadian basketball and American basketball?
The style of play and the competitiveness. Americans just seem to want it more and they're hungrier.
They say you're the next big thing out of Canada.
(laughs) Yeah.
Can you give the audience a scouting report on how you play, how an opposing coach would describe you?
I can defend well, I can defend any position. I can get to the basket, I can shoot jump shots. I can penetrate and kick. I think I can pretty much do anything I put my mind to.
Speaking of your defense, I was wondering how you would assess it at this point? It sounds like you're pretty satisfied with it.
Yeah, I think my defense is pretty good right now.
Who are some guys nationally that some people might be surprised that you're close to?
No one, really.
What tournaments do you have coming up for the rest of the year?
Well, the rest of the BYBL, and then I've got national team tournaments for Canada. We're going to Cancun, Mexico for that one.
That should be fun. What was it like representing Canada last year?
It was a great experience. I got to play against some top talent. It's an opportunity to see where I'm at.
Kyrie Irving from the US and Kyle Wiltjer from Canada said that it's such a great experience and bonding time. They talked about how it created a brotherhood in such a short period of time.
Yeah, we all bonded.
Have any of the Duke coaches contacted you?
My parents.
What do you know about their program?
It's a good program. They've got great players that come out of there, great coaches, and great fans, too. That's about it.
What are your goals for next season? What are you hoping to accomplish?
I'd like to be considered the best player my age.
I was meaning to ask you about that. Is that important to you? Some guys shy away from it and others embrace it.
I don't really think rankings mean that much, but it'd be nice to be considered that. I guess that's about it.
Lastly, you've got a bright future on the court and seem to be nice off of it too. I need you to help resent for the Andrews out there. Bynum's been killing our name in LA lately.
Duke would love for Keilin Rayner to join Deion Williams at LB in the class of 2012
The Duke coaching staff has been scouting the country in search of players to help improve the Blue Devil defense, but they have been focused on an in-state linebacker for several months now. Keilin Rayner is a 6’3” 220 pound linebacker prospect from Leland, North Carolina. As a junior, Keilin played primarily defensive end, helping North Brunswick HS to the state playoffs and a 5-7 overall record. The Duke coaching staff would love to add Rayner to the class of 2012 at linebacker, where he could make an early impact for the Blue Devils. Highlights from Keilin's junior year can be viewed here. Duke and ECU were the first two programs to offer a scholarship to Rayner, whose recruitment has taken off this spring. When BDN last spoke with Keilin, Duke was a program that had impressed him, but with over half a dozen offers now, where do the Blue Devils stand?
BDN: What coaches have stopped by to see you this spring?
Pretty much all of them, Clemson, Maryland, Virginia Tech, [NC] State, [North] Carolina, ECU, and Wake Forest came by.
BDN: When we last spoke Duke and ECU were the first two schools to offer you; what other schools have offered you this spring?
[North] Carolina, [NC] State, Duke, ECU, Wake, Clemson, South Carolina, Florida International, I think that’s about it.
BDN: Which schools have you visited so far?
I didn’t get to visit any this spring, but previously I visited ECU, [NC] State, and Duke. I’m hoping to visit [North] Carolina maybe next week.
BDN: Do you have plans for any other visits this summer?
Maybe some camps, but other than that I don’t know yet.
BDN: With recruiting picking up for you, what are your thoughts for when you want to narrow things down and make your decision?
I would like to visit all the schools that have offered me and some other schools that haven’t, probably make my decision later after I’ve visited.
BDN: Which schools or coaches do you feel like you have the best relationship with?
Coach Cutcliffe and Coach Luke from Duke.
BDN: What are your plans for the summer?
Just work out, pretty much.
BDN: That’s great, I know you mentioned you would be playing more linebacker this fall, what kind of things have you been working on?
A lot of coaches said to work on my hip flexibility and getting off the ball, working on that.
It seems over the last two years there has been an overwhelming amount of Canadian talent pouring into the hoops world. No longer do Canadians have to only point to Steve Nash, there are now talents such as Cory Joseph, Tristan Thompson, and Myck Kabongo representing our friends north of the border. Findlay Prep, a powerhouse basketball program located in Henderson, Nevada, has accumulated much of this Canadian wealth recently. All three of those players have matriculated to college or are now waiting for their dreams to come true - hearing their name be called by NBA commissioner David Stern. The next in line to take over at Findlay prep and represent Canadian players is none other than 6’7 wing forward Anthony Bennett. Built like a freight train, Bennett hails from Brampton, Ontario, Canada, a city roughly 45 minutes west of Toronto, Ontario’s capital city. A [private] city more notably known for its hockey players and hilarious comedian Russell Peters, Brampton is now starting to produce some big time basketball talent starting with Tristan Thompson and now Bennett. Bennett has been extremely impressive these past two weekends making scouts certainly rethink where they originally had him slated. BDN got a chance to briefly catch up with the bruising wing forward last weekend at the Nike EYBL in Los Angeles.
BDN: Just to make sure the program has this right, you are from Brampton correct?
AB: Yes sir, I am.
Well that is very interesting as I am originally from Hamilton, not too far from you.
Oh for real? (smiles) Not too far from Brampton.
I spoke to Myck Kabongo about this awhile ago, but I’d like to get your take. What’s it like being the Canadian kid moving to the U.S to play?
I mean, they think Canadian players only play hockey and stuff, so they really don’t take us seriously at first. But, us as Canadians, we have to show them what’s really good. So we just go out and play strong all the time.
What is the biggest difference from playing in Canada to playing out here?
Players in Canada, they are a lot smaller. They aren’t really that big in general.
Oh you mean like the 6’2 center? We had one of those on my high school team.
(laughs) Yea yea that’s exactly it. But out here in America, it’s really great competition. People are bigger and stronger. People are just as good as you so you really have to work on your game to improve.
Tell some of our fans a little bit about your game?
I’m very aggressive, I get rebounds, I try to get my teammates open. I can go down low and play and I can shoot from the outside. In the high post, I get it and turn around and face up and do my thing out there.
Do you have a preference on where you play?
Not really, but I am trying to work my game outside, but right now I feel like my game is a high post, short corner type of game.
What are some of the schools that are interested in you right now?
Well there are a lot of them really. I can’t even list them off the top of my head, but I’ll try (laughs).
That’s an impressive list. Anyone else specifically from the ACC?
I had heard from Duke at about mid-season, but I haven’t really talked to them that much.
If they were to pursue you, would you be open?
Yea I would.
You’ve got a teammate on CIA Bounce that is absolutely blowing up. Tell me about Andrew Wiggins a little bit.
He’s very young right now. He’s very athletic though. He can shoot, he can drive, he’s just a really great kid, and in the future he’s going to be a great player.
Being at Findlay right now, what are the coaches working on most with you?
They are trying to get me out on the wing more right now. Every time we do ball handling and shooting drills and stuff, they have me with them.
Do you model your game after any players specifically?
Oh naw man. I just do me!
When it comes time to make your decision eventually, who will you look to for guidance?
I would have to say my mom and my AAU coach Mike George.
LOS ANGELES - Just a week after the Nike EYBL, Los Angeles got another taste of some of the nation’s top high school basketball prospects during the Pango's All American Camp. In comparison to last weekend there wasn’t the same depth of Duke prospects, but this was still a field with a lot of talent that caught our eye. The destination this weekend for BDN Premium? Cal State Dominguez Hills located right on the border of Compton/Carson, CA.
The camp kicked off with former New Orleans Hornets assistant and current ESPN radio personality Dave Miller teaching the campers some defensive fundamentals. The best way to describe Dave is loud and in charge. The former NBA assistant used his great personality to get the attention of the campers and explain to them the real world of high school, college, and pro hoops.
Some of the big time names at the camp were: Isaiah Austin, Andre Drummond, Shabazz and Rasheed Muhammad, and Anthony Bennett.
The name who likely helped his stock the most this weekend was 2012 forward Anthony Bennett, a 6’7 230 lbs tank. Bennett threw down countless thunderous dunks and ran the court extremely well. While speaking to him last weekend he mentioned the staff [private] at Findlay Prep was really working his outside game, and it is certainly paying off. The big man showed an impressive outside touch knocking down numerous three point shots keeping the defense very honest. Findlay coach Mike Peck was in attendance and was sure to be proud of Bennett.
This was my second chance seeing Isaiah Austin, the last time being at last year’s Pangos camp. Austin looks to have put on a bit of weight as his arms look thicker but still has a very wiry thin frame. The 7 footer got to match up with Andre Drummond in the very first game of the camp and was immediately put to the test. Drummond’s powerful frame proved to be too much for him in the end but Austin did disrupt Drummond with his length a little bit. At this point Isaiah still tries to bring the ball up the court like a guard. His thin frame doesn’t allow him to really bang down low like you would like most 7 footers to do. The potential is there with Isaiah but adding weight is an absolute must for the Baylor bound prospect.
Let’s move on to 2012 big man Andre Drummond. For a long time scouts have touted him as the next big thing. It seems this weekend he came out to back up their statements. Drummond looked extremely motivated this weekend hustling up and down the court and attempting to grab any and every loose ball within his area code. The Connecticut prospect abused the rim and wooed the crowd with countless spectacular dunks, often making them look effortless. Sporting a college ready frame at 6’9 250 lbs it’s plain to see why so many scouts ranked him so highly. At this point, the big man has minimal to not shooting touch, a skill he would be wise to eventually add. I do not mean adding a three point shot, but simply a 10-15 footer to add a new dimension to his game. His free throw shooting also leaves much to be desired as I could have counted the number of free throw makes on one hand, despite countless trips to the line. Still, it is very easy to see how talented and athletic Drummond is, and is sure to be a future pro, though I’m not doing much more than stating the obvious.
No single player plays with more consistent intensity than Shabazz Muhammad. The 6’5 Las Vegas lefty scored in every way imaginable this weekend while bringing in camp MVP. Given his constant effort it was a simple choice to give him the award. Shabazz flew around all over the court and attacked the rim like with a ferocity that makes you think, “what did that poor rim ever do to you?” While not an incredible outside shooter, Shabazz showed enough that you must at least respect it to a certain degree. Not to say he doesn’t defend, but if that intensity ever fully carries over to the defensive side, watch out. There isn’t much more to say about Muhammad that hasn’t been said. He is easily in my opinion the best prospect in 2012.
Recently a name that has popped up on Duke’s radar has been Brannen Greene, a 6’6 shooter out of Forsyth, Georgia. This was my first chance seeing the forward and his performance unfortunately was disappointing to say the least. Often times when a shooters shot isn’t dropping you’d like to see him be productive in other ways. This wasn’t exactly the case with Brannen. There wasn’t always effort on both sides of the court and at times seemed a bit unenthusiastic. He doesn’t seem to be possess a high level of athleticism at this point and often got his shot blocked when he tried to put the ball on the floor. Hopefully for his sake this was simply a bad weekend and he can move on from it and get better.
I have to give credit to BDN Recruiting Analyst Andrew Slater for the next player, 2013 guard/forward Stephen Domingo out of San Francisco, CA. Before the camp started he had mentioned that Stephen should be a player of interest to watch and boy did he not disappoint. Currently sporting a very skinny frame the 6’6 (though I must say he is likely a bit shorter than this listing by an inch) prospect lit it up during the Top 25 game this weekend where he took home MVP of the match. Despite his slender body Stephen had no problem mixing it up a little bit. He’s not Shaquille O’Neal by any means, but it was a joy to watch him try to grab rebounds and block a few shots. One particular impressive play, Stephen grabbed a rebound, turned around, looked ahead, and fired off a pin point outlet pass leading to an easy bucket for his team; an impressive play for the young prospect. Domingo showed off a very solid three point shot as well as some mid range game, particularly using the pull up jumper. I think it’s safe to say that the scouts will be paying a lot more attention to the St. Ignatius product. [/private]
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