HAMPTON - One of the nations top point guard prospects in his class is L.J. Rose from Houston, Texas. Rose suited up for Houston Hoops in the Nike EYBL Session I in Hampton, Virginia this past weekend and his play did not disappoint.
Rose stands 6-2 and is close to 175 pounds and he attends Houston Second Baptist High School Rose is the son of former Houston Cougar Lynden Rose, who played with Akeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler on their 1982 Final Four team.
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Levi Randolph is making some noise on the AAU circuit and drawing attention from many schools - BDN Photo
As a junior, Levi Randolph led Bob Jones to the Alabama State Title and was named the 6-A Player of the Year. After playing last year for the Nashville Celtics, he joined the nearby Alabama Challenge AAU program and had a great weekend for them at Session I of EYBL in Hampton, Virginia. After a game in which he dropped twenty-one points and dished four assists in a win over the Metro Hawks of New York, Randolph told Blue Devil Nation about himself.
Can you talk about the experience of winning a state title?
It was a long journey. We had a lot of injuries and fourteen losses, but we got on a streak at the end and won six games in a row. We return four starters though so we should be ready to challenge again next year.
You stepped up and put up a near triple-double in the championship game. Was that an unusually good game for you?
No, I was pretty consistent throughout the season. I won the 6-A Player of the Year. I tried to be pretty consistent.
Are most schools recruiting you as a two or a three?
As a one or a two, actually
Which schools are recruiting you? [private]
Alabama, Auburn, Vanderbilt, Baylor, Marquette, Miami, UVA, Florida, Wake Forest, Oregon St. Ole Miss, and Virginia Tech
Have all of them offered you?
Everyone, but Virginia Tech and Florida
Can you provide the audience with a scouting report on yourself?
(Smiling) I am a scorer. I get to the rim, but I also like to shoot it from deep too. I’ll work very hard too.
Do you prefer to get out and run or play in a more structured, half-court offense?
Either way, I just like to play.
What’s your range?
Half court (laughs). No, I just feel comfortable shooting the ball from the mid-range to the three-point line.
Where do you like to catch it?
Anywhere.
What are your strengths and weaknesses right now?
My strength is my ability to score. My defense is the thing I want to work on most.
What are you looking for in a college?
I’m looking for a place that will make me better academically and as a person. I’d like to go to a winning program too.
Do you do pretty well in school?
Well, I have a 3.8 GPA.
Does playing in the SEC appeal to you? Is location a factor?
I don’t care about either of those things, sir. I’m just looking for those things that I mentioned before.
Do you have a go to move? You used that, sort of, stutter step crossover against Mike (Taylor)?
Yeah, my favorite move is my killer crossover. Actually, don’t put that down. (Laughs) I don’t want anybody to know my secret moves. I sort of took it from watching Allen Iverson.
Is he who you try to model your game after?
Yeah, he was when I was younger, but now it’s Carmelo Anthony. I try to watch his highlights and Kevin Durant’s.
How big are you now?
I’m 6’5” and 180 pounds.
So you still have time to grow another couple of inches?
Yes, sir. I hope so.
Have you begun strength training?
I’ve done a little, but I want to do more.
What would you like to weigh by the time you reach college?
About 185 pounds of muscle (laughs)
Who’s the best player you’ve ever faced?
Reggie Bullock
Have any of the Duke coaches contacted you yet?
No sir. Well, actually my AAU coach on my old team told me that they were interested in me in ninth grade, but I never heard from them again. I always wondered what happened.
Well, I believe they might have some interest in you now.
Really?
Yes. My partner wouldn’t have had me interview you tonight if they didn’t. You may be on their radar.
Wow. That’s amazing.
What do you know about Duke?
I don’t really follow it, but I know they just won the national title. I only really get to watch highlights on Sportscenter in the morning with breakfast.
Well, you’re busy studying. How about Coach K?
I think he was the coach of the USA team, right?
Yeah.
Would you be interested in Duke, if they start to recruit you?
Yes, definitely. My friend at school just loves Duke. He loves everything about them. I’d like to visit Duke, if they’re interested in me.
Well, maybe you two could visit together if all comes together.
Yes, sir.
Finally, what would you like the audience to know about you away from the court?
I’m a funny guy, but I’m also a good student and approachable. I try to nice to everybody in school. If you’re a stranger, you can always approach me and I’ll be happy to talk to you. (Hugs BDN)
HAMPTON - Duke prospect Quincy Miller [6-9 Winston Salem, N.C., Quality Education, D-One Sports] was a scoring machine during the Nike EYBL Session I AAU event in Hampton, Virginia. Miller was finding various ways of scoring and he was clearly one of the most talented players at the camp. Miller showed steady improvement from a year ago and he is a consensus top ten pick in his class. Currently ranked 6th by Prep Stars, Miller took the time to talk with the Blue Devil Nation in the following interview. We also chatted with his AAU coach and got his thoughts on the budding star as well.
You look better than you did a year ago on the court and l...
I've just been working on my game, my jump shot and my handle and becoming a team player
Where do you stand on the recruiting front?
I'm [private] not close to making a decision and I don't think I will be until next year. Not sure of the time period, but next year.
Who will play a big role in your decision?
Really my mom. She will go on the visits with me and help me make my decision.
And your current list of schools?
Duke, Kentucky, Wake Forest, Memphis, Kansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, uh, that's all I can think of.
A lot of people have said you are a Kentucky lean.
[smiling] Everybody thinks so because I took a couple of visits. You know, they seem to think I'm going thee or something.
Duke is on your list, did you watch them win the title?
Yeah, I was cheering for them
Do you have friends on their team?
Andre Dawkins and Nolan Smith.
What do you think of Coach K?
Greatest coach in the nation right now.
Do you have a relationship with him?
Yeah, were close, me and Coach K are real cool.
What do you feel like you can improve upon with your game?
I still can improve on everything. [said with emphasis] My game is not nearly where I want it to be.
What is it like to have so many people pulling at you being one of the top rated players inb your class?
I kind of have like a tight circle, so it's not a real problem.
You seem to love social networking?
Yeah, I just have a lot of fun. I'm a fun kid and just want it to be light. I'm just having fun and taking advantage of the hour.
Any official or unofficial visits set?
Not that I know of yet.
Will you be making any plans soon?
Yes sir. I'll probably set some up by the end of summer.
And your list of schools?
Duke, Wake Forest, Kentucky, South Carolina, N.C. State ... that's it.
Will you take all five official visits before deciding on a school?
Yeah, I will take all five. [nodding]
What are you looking for in a school?
A comfort level and if their style of play will fit my style and a coach. I want a coach that can take my game to a whole new level.
What kind of guys do you want to play with in college?
Team players. I'm a team player and I want to play with team players. I like to get up and go [run].
With his length size and athleticism he can get a lot done around the basket. I do think his future is a perimeter face up guy, so I have been working with him. He has a little more freedom. I have been working off him coming off screens and getting use to the dribble, drive and he should be able to show his strengths a little bit more.
What is it like coaching one of the best prospects in the nation?
It's not a problem, I've been with Tyreke Evans before, so it's nothing new. Brian Clifton has some years now in D-One sports and he is involved with his recruitment. When Brian is busy with John Wall now, I'm kind of walking around Quincy to know he's straight. He will sit down with Brian and his family and they'll make a decision.
Where can Miller improve?
Playing every possession. Learning to play every possession without taking one off.
How do you see Miller being used in college?
I think he will be a face up power forward. He's a leader and his teammates love him. He can be a Kevin Durant type. [/private]
Duke prospect Austin Rivers opened up in a lengthy interview after his team held on top defeat AAU power Team Takeover in opening round action of the Nike EYBL/Boo Williams camp in Hampton, Virginia
HAMPTON - Blue Devil Nation Premium caught up to Austin Rivers during the opening night of the Nike EYBL developmental camp in Hampton, Virginia. Rivers opened up about the recruiting process and his recent decision to de-commit from Florida in this lengthy interview - [private]
Just press play -
We still have a more personal interview with Austin to come. Next up - Tyler Adams [/private]
BDN Premium caught up with future Blue Devil Josh Hairston who discussed his season to date with Montrose Christian, his improvement and some of the hot names in recruiting of late like Terrence Ross . He touches on playing with Kyrie Irving and Andre Dawkins as well in an in depth audio interview. This [private] interview was conducted after I covered the Tournament of Champions event in a bit of a cramped situation, thus the tint like sound on my end. Regardless, I think you'll agree that Josh is comfortable in answering questions in that BDN has covered him from when Duke first started recruiting him. Let me know how you like actually hearing Josh for this is a first for us passing it own as it happened. Happy New Year! [/private]
Zoubs throws up a hook shot in practice - BDN Photo
Blue Devil Nation Premium sat down to talk with Brian Zoubek where we discussed the Wisconsin loss and how the team bounced back with a victory over St. John's. BDN will continue to bring locker room reports after all home games and some road affairs all season long. We strive to get comments you will not hear elsewhere in an effort to bring yet another benefit to our subscribers.
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