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Matt Jones is a 6-5 shooting guard out of the state of Texas where he plays for DeSota High School. Jones soared up the rankings while playing with his AAU team, the Texas Titans over the summer. Jones is a a flat out dangerous outside shooter who nails down the three ball on a regular basis. The Blue Devils offered Jones after Coach K and his staff took a look at him at the Peach Jam in Augusta, South Carolina. Jones was very excited about the offer at that time and he is looking forward to attending Countdown to Craziness in a couple of weeks. Since the Duke offer, a lot of other schools starting making their moves. We are talking the likes of Arizona, Kansas and North Carolina here, so it is safe to say, Jones will not slip under the radar again. BDN spoke with Jones recently and we discussed the schools recruiting him and his thoughts on them among many other things. Here is the latest BDN Premium offering for members.

The last time we spoke was during the Peach Jam in July. What have you been doing since that time?

Since then I've just been going to school and doing the work and working out with my high school team. I have been trying to get stronger, more explosive, things like that.

What kind of team will DeSoto put on the court this year? Do you have a lot of guys back?

We should be very experienced with a bunch of seniors. I have confidence in that they know what they are doing, so we should have a pretty good team this year and be contenders for the state title.

Now, your projected position at the college level is the off guard. What position do you play in high school?

In high school, I am sometimes a [private] wing guard, but we play a four guard system and I will play the four.

Can you list the schools that are recruiting you the hardest?

Kansas, Duke , Florida, Arizona, Baylor, just a lot of teams. North Carolina, Arkansas, teams like that.

What about Kansas? Can you talk about what you like about them?

I really like Kansas. Coach Self has been in a couple of times to see me, so they are really good, I oculd see myself going there.

Arizona?

Same, just the same. Coach Miller is really cool and I like where the team is headed.

How about the other schools listed?

With North Carolina, Coach Williams just tells me what he's done with players as for Baylor, I really like their coaching staff with Coach Drew, Coach Mills. Like with Texas, it's kind of like the home school.

How many of these schools have offered you?

All of them.

When did UNC start recruiting you?

They came in the first or second day they could. Coach Williams and Coach Robinson. Coach Williams called and offered me and it was a great honor.

Do you talk with other prospects?

I talk to Kasey Hill a lot.

Do you two discuss possibly playing with each other?

Yes sir. Of course.

I know from past discussions that you are big on faith, playing for an AAU team where it is the center piece. Can you speak to that and how it helps you?

In life it helps me to make the right decision and gives me more confidence in that I am doing what God wants me to do. It gives me more things to play for and I want to give God all my glory. It just makes me work harder and gets me through things people don't want to do.

You were 6-4 last time we spoke. Any changes there?

Yes, I'm 6-5, 190 now.

Do you have a favorite basketball memory?

My favorite basketball memory was probably during my freshman year at DeSoto High School and it was a rivalry game in district and I hit the game winning three.

Okay, you know I run a Duke site but we like to try and remain objective around here. What do you think of Duke?

Duke is great, a great school. Coach K is just a really great person on and off the court, a great mentor and he's really cool. I'm really looking forward to going there for Countdown to Craziness and see the campus and social life and atmosphere. I can definitely see myself going to Duke.

And you will soon be on the Duke campus for Countdown to Craziness ..

I am looking forward to it. So many people have told me about it and how crazy it is.

Do you speak with any Duke players or prospects?

I talk to Rasheed (Sulaimon) a lot, but not any current players.

What is your basketball dream?

My basketball dream is to get my education doing something I love in playing basketball. But first, getting a scholorship and going somewhere where I can play for championships and hopefully go to the next level.

What kind of staff do you like? Easy going, serious or intense, etc.

I mean, I have experienced two coaching styles. In AAU, it's a laid-back style and in high school it's more yelling at you ... I am used to both of them. As long as the coach has the my best interest at heart as a player and person.

And who will help you make a decision on where you will play your collegiate career?

My parents, AAU coaches and high school coaches.

Tell me something about Matt Jones that most people wouldn't know.

I always wanted to sing so ... (laughs) Some people say I get on their nerves, but that's the way I let it out, so ...

And what do you like to sing?

I like singing Beyonce and other stuff. Whatever I have going at that time.

Thanks for your time Matt and good luck with the process and finding the right school for you.

Thank you. [/private]

Julius Randle stoked about his upcoming visit to Duke

September 5, 2011 Varand Khachadouri

The state of Texas has long been known for football and rightfully so. However, there have been plenty of hoops stars coming out of the Lone Star State. One of the future bright stars of the state? Julius Randle, a 6’8 220lbs combo forward that is oozing with potential. The Texas product uses his strength to have his way with his competition and has found himself at the top of every coaches wish list. There is no shortage of coaches waiting for Randle’s commitment. However, his commitment likely won’t be announced for at least a year, so until then we can enjoy coaches scrapping and clawing their way to the top of his list. Randle, who says his number one spot to visit for Midnight Madness is Duke, played exceptionally well during his four day visit to Venice Beach for the Boost Mobile Elite 24. Often grabbing a rebound and going coast to coast for an emphatic jam, Julius displays plenty of skills at this stage but with loads of room to grow. Currently he sits right near the top of every scouting service one can name. BDN got a chance to speak with the skilled combo forward and hear his thoughts on a number of subjects.

BDN: Tell me a little about the experience of playing against the pro’s last night.

JR: Oh it was fun. It’s always fun competing with the guys who have been in the same position as you and now they are pro’s. So you can take a lot away from that.

BDN: Was this the first time playing [private] against a pro?

JR: No, no, I play against pros all the time.

BDN: What is it that puts them where they are compared to where you are?

JR: Just their work ethic you know. I mean they have a lot more time to work out than us. I guess pretty much their work ethic.

BDN: Is there any aspect of your game you have been working on a lot lately?

JR: Just my pull up game. One dribble or two dribble pull ups. Just working on that and trying to get it right.

BDN: I have heard you say you feel like you are a combo forward, do you take notice of schools that develop that position well?

JR: Yea of course.

BDN: Any school specifically that you feel does that well?
JR: Ohh not really. There’s a lot of schools that do that well, but I mean I don’t really have a list because I don’t really think about it too much right now. I just take what everyone says, I take it all in and I’ll make the decision from there.

BDN: Being one of the few juniors here can you talk about the selection to this all-star game?

JR: Oh yes, it’s a great honor to be here as a junior. It’s mostly a senior event so to be here as a junior is a great honor. There’s a lot of legacy that comes through here , it’s great to be able to add on to it.

BDN: What are you looking to show on Saturday for the game?

JR: Just to dominate my opponent.

BDN: You are a very player, unafraid of anyone?

I'm going to play my game and my game is not to back down from anybody. I liked going up against the best players regardless of class this summer.

BDN: Are you always the best player on the court?

JR: (laughs) Uhh that’s what I feel like when I’m on the floor.

BDN: You have that mindset.

JR: Oh yea.

BDN: If you could play with one player from your class to play with, who would it be?
JR: Probably Kasey Hill. I like Kasey.

BDN: Are you close with him off of the court?

JR: Yea.

BDN: You’ll likely be taking some visits coming up soon. You stated that you want to visit Duke for Midnight Madness, is that confirmed?

JR: That’s not confirmed. It’s my number one option because I’ve never been to Duke so it’ll be my first visit. I'm looking forward to visiting and seeing the Cameron Crazies and the players. It'll be a great time.

BDN: You always bring up some tasty sounding recipes, can you elaborate on why you love cooking?

JR: Yea, I mean my mom stopped cooking for me when I was in like 6th grade so if I wanted to survive I had to learn to cook.

BDN: Thanks a lot for your time, Julius.
JR: Alright, no problem. [/private]

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Speed Trap: The Kasey Hill Interview

August 18, 2011 Andrew Slater

5th Annual adidas Nations — PG Kasey Hill Adidas Photo

This coming year Kasey Hill, a 6'1" Umatilla, Florida scoring point guard, will have a pair of significant additions to his Montverde Academy (FL) program. Kevin Boyle and Dakari Johnsonhave traded New Jersey winters for Floridian humidity. Boyle, who coached Kyrie Irving, the former Blue Devil guard and the NBA's number one overall draft pick, in high school at St. Patrick's (NJ), takes over a Montverde Academy program that finished 22-4 overall and fifteenth in the country last season. Montverde, located about thirty minutes away from Orlando, has two current NBA players, Solomon Alabi and Luc Mbah a Moute, as alumni.

Hill, who has been playing varsity basketball since he was a sixth grader at Mount Dora Bible School (FL), demonstrated more of an ability to be a facilitator, while leveraging his natural speed and penetrating ability, for the Florida Rams Black this AAU season. A high point of the rising junior's summer was winning the Adidas Invitational in Indianapolis and being named the tournament's MVP. The born scorer, with a penchant for finishing in traffic, led his Florida Rams Black team with 28 points and orchestrated the program's offense in front of an assortment of college coaches and a national television audience.

At the Super 64 in Las Vegas, the 2013 point guard played briefly in front of the Duke coaching staff. Last weekend, Kasey Hill played in greater Los Angeles, as part of the latest Adidas Nations event.

Kasey spoke with Blue Devil Nation about the latest in his recruitment, his new coach,

Can you talk about, perhaps, a highlight of your summer, your (MVP) performance at the Addidas Invitational? Touch on how you and your teammates played at that tournament.

I did pretty good at the Addidas Invitational, but most importantly, it was a team effort. It wasn’t just me. It was just a lot of good things coming together.
[private]

How much momentum were you able to carry and how much of that winning mentality that you had earned were you able to bring to the future events?

I think it helped a little bit. We should've been able to use that. We have to stay consistent with our defense and use it to motivate ourselves.

People are always interested in recruiting. What schools are currently recruiting you?

Florida, Memphis, Louisville, Kentucky, USF, Miami, Baylor, Kansas. I'm sure that I'm missing some.

Anyone recently coming into the picture?

No, not that I know of.

In terms of your overall timeline, is this relatively early for you?

Yeah, it’s really early.

Do you view yourself as a scoring point guard? Is that a fair characterization?

Yeah, that’s a good way of putting it.

IMG_20110723_182250 — Kasey Hill Andrew Slater/BDN Photo

What do you know about Coach Boyle?

He seems like he’s a great guy. I’m excited to play for him. I’ve talked to him on the phone a couple of times. Overall, he seems like a good guy.

He seems excited?

Oh, yes, sir, he definitely seems excited.

Did he give you any advice, in terms of what he’s looking for out of you next year?

Not really. He says we’ll sit down and talk about what the team needs when it gets closer to the season.

Well, you’ve got a valuable new addition and a very nice kid in Dakari Johnson.

Yes, sir. I heard he’s really good.

It’ll be great to have a quality big guy out there to take some pressure off of you.

Yes, sir,. We’ll be young and improving too.

Do you know which national tournaments you will be playing at next year that people might be able to catch you at?

I really have no idea. I don’t know that the coaches have made the schedule out so far.

For people who haven’t seen you play, what would you say is your greatest strength right now?

I’d say penetrating and just getting to the baskets.. my explosiveness. I guess I’d say my strengths are just getting to the basket and now getting my teammates involved.

What would you say is a weakness that you’d most like to improve upon?

My jumpshot. I’d like to improve upon that.

You’ve hit a few threes in several of the tournaments, including the Addidas Invitational, but it’s always good to hear that a player recognizes there’s room for improvement.

Yes, sir.

Is there a player you try to model your game after? Or a favorite player?

No, not really. I can’t think of one guy.

I was trying to figure out if I could recognize a player whose game is or was similar to yours.

Yeah, I can’t really think of one. I don’t know him. (laughs)

What are you looking for ideally, whenever you do decide?

Just like a college that fits my game overall and has great coaches.

What would you say is your overall game? A penetrating point guard?

Yeah, a penetrating point guard and one who wants to get out and run.

And who are you turning to for guidance whenever you do decide? Who are some people?

My Coach, Jeff Simmons, who’s also my guardian, and my mother and my grandmother.

Do you have any visits planned?

No, not yet.

Did you have any favorite teams growing up? Either college or pro.

No, not really.

Where did you actually grow up, by the way?

Umatilla, Florida. It’s in, like, Central or North Florida. It's a really small place.

What would you like the audience to know about you away from the court?

That I’m just a really laid-back kid and that I like to have fun.

And very active on Twitter, I see.

Yes, sir. (laughs)

Who’s the best player you’ve played so far?

So far, I’d probably say Shabazz Muhummad. I couldn’t believe how good he was when I played him in Georgia.

Yeah, he always goes hard.

Yeah, he’s amazing.

Who are some coaches that you enjoy talking to?

Definitely Coach Donovan, Coach Cal, Coach Rick Pitino, Coach Hamilton, Coach Stan Heath, Coach Donnie Jones.

When you're playing off the ball, what is your favorite place to catch the ball?

Probably on the wing. That is probably my best area.

How far out do you feel comfortable shooting the ball?

Probably fifteen feet...probably a fifteen foot jumper.

What’s the toughest type of player for you to defend?

Probably a lefty. Lefties can be tough to deal with.

A lefty? And does strength play a factor at all or not too much?

No, not really, cause I try to use my speed against them.

And how did you choose your school, Montverde?

I really just chose it because it was a great academic school. It was supposed to be, like, a great college preparatory school and teach you about life.

Do you think Montverde has helped you, long-term, to make decisions and live away from home?

Yes, sir...probably more than most normal kids. In some ways, I feel a little more grown up or mature than some other kids.

Lastly, has Duke expressed any interest in you so far?

No, not really, but North Carolina has... but not a lot recently.

What do you know about those two programs?

I know that they’re great programs pretty much, well, since they started.

And you mentioned before that it was still early. Would you be open to either of them?

Yes, sir, I’ll definitely listen. I'd definitely be open to both of them.

Thank you very much.

Thank you, sir.[/private]

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Nate The Great

August 12, 2011 Andrew Slater

6'1" rising junior Nate Britt, who was profiled earlier in the year, had a productive AAU and camp season. From an individual standpoint, the zenith was his performance at the NBPA Top 100 Camp, where he finished second in camp scoring and was named one of five Workout Warriors. With his D.C. Assault brethren, the baby-faced leader competed in tournaments from Pittsburgh to Las Vegas, where D.C. Assault and Duke alumnus Nolan Smith of the Portland Trail Blazers helped coach DCA, with a high-point of reaching the finals of the King James Shooting Stars Classic in Akron, Ohio.

This weekend, the Gonzaga guard helped his USA 2013 Red team to a second place finish at the Adidas Nations in Compton, California. Yesterday, the reigning D.C. Gatorade Player of the Year was invited to participate in the Elite 24 in Venice Beach, California at the end of the month. Nate Britt spoke with Blue Devil Nation about various topics, including Nolan Smith, Twitter, and how far along he is in his recruitment.

Starting back a bit with the camps, specifically the NBA 100 one, what was that experience like, first of all?
Oh, it was great experience because they had, like, all the best of the best players. It was an awesome feeling just going against those guys. All of those guys are very talented and they keep you on your toes. It was just a great experience.

Then, transitioning back to D.C. Assault in July, what was that like for you?
Fun. We've played together for years and, you know, get to play in big-time tournaments in front of the college coaches. We have a really good time playing together.

[private]
In terms of your recruitment, what's been going on lately?
The hardest three on me are Villanova, Virginia, and Georgetown. Those three have offered and Arizona. Did I say Arizona?
Yeah.
Those and I've gotten interest from Duke, North Carolina, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, UCLA, UConn, Syracuse..those are the only ones I can think of right now. My head's kinda spinning (laughs).

Are there one or two schools that you grew up rooting for?
Georgetown. That's the hometown school. I always rooted for Georgetown.

In terms of the schools that were expressing interest like North Carolina or Duke, what have they said to you?
I feel like I've spoken to so many programs and coaches that I'm not exactly sure what the message is, but my phone's been blowing up really since whatever that date was, like, the fifteenth or whatever. I know that I've spoken with schools like North Carolina, Virginia Tech, and Duke. I've been in touch with all of them and I like speaking with them and learning what they have to say.

Are schools still able to get into your recruitment?
Oh, yes, but I'm trying to slow it down.

Will you be cutting it, your list, down soon or do you have any plans in that direction?
Oh, yes, I'm going to try to sit down and cut it down to a more manageable number or whatever after all of this ends..probably some time in late August, you know.

Do you plan, at this point, on taking official visits in your senior year or do you plan on deciding next year?
I'm going to try to decide next year.
Just for clarification, you mean before your senior year?
Yes, before my senior year.

Going back for a second to that NBA 100 camp, how do you account for your success at that event? You had that thirty point outburst that, sort of, put some people on notice. Also, how would you assess the state of your game right now? In the past, you mentioned that you wanted to work on your outside shot and adding some strength.
Yeah, I've improved my three-point shot to where I feel comfortable just pulling up and shooting it when it's in rhythm. I feel like I'm mentally comfortable with making a few a game.

And what about the strength issue? You mentioned that you wanted to be able to play through contact.
Yeah, well, that's something that I still need to work on and improve, but, with all of these games, you don't really get a chance. I'm hoping that I can spend August and September just getting stronger and hitting the weights.

Back to that thirty point game and your overall performance, what are your thoughts on why and how you played?
Yeah, I think it was just getting mentally in a place where I could perform. My coach there just kept telling me to score or take it to the rack and I was just feeling it. For whatever reason, it just clicked there.

When you were younger, outside of Georgetown, were there any other programs that you rooted for?
I rooted for Villanova, for a little bit, when I was younger. When they had Allen Ray and Randy Foye and those guys, I was really interested in them and rooting for them.

Is there any sentiment about trying to stay closer to home or you really don't care?
Well, I would like to stay closer to home because I know that my parents would like to see me play, but whatever is the best situation for me.

Do you have any visits planned?
No, not as of right now, but I'm pretty sure that some will come up.

Who's the best player that you've faced or guarded this summer?
Um, I'd probably have to say Yogi…Yogi Ferrell. I faced him at both NBA Top 100 and also Adidas Nations.

In terms of a timeline in your recruitment, if this were a baseball game, what inning would you say that we're in?
Probably the seventh..the seventh inning.

I've noticed on your Twitter account that you've talked a lot in the past about your lack of sleep or difficulty with sleep.
Oh, yeah, (laughs) it's hard with all of the games I've been playing and the travel and time zones. You've got workouts and early morning workouts. It's just kind of hard on the body or, at least, mine.
6:30 workouts in the morning.
(laughs) Yeah, you know, 6:30 in the morning workouts. It's killing me. (laughs)

How about defensively? How would you assess your defense at this point? I think you've stepped up your defense from the past.
Yeah, I've been feeling better about my defense lately. I think I've given better and really gotten in there. I've tried to focus on it a bit so that, if my offense goes in a particular game, at least I've got my defense. It's something that I can rely on.

Before you were talking about playing in front of the coaches, how do you think they have an effect on your play?
Oh, at first, I had butterflies, but I've tried to just have fun with it. I try to just get used to it. You know that your playing in front of the greatest coaches and that kind of inspires you. You know that you have to perform and then it's also great to have that opportunity and also playing in front of fans is fun too.

Who are some of your Assault teammates that have also stepped up their games this year?
I think Kris (Jenkins) has. He's battled back from injury and been able to help us after sitting out earlier in the year.
And you couldn't be tighter with him (Jenkins lives with the Britts) so you know the pain that he must've been in to sit out?
Yeah, absolutely, we're very close and he felt terribly about missing so many games with that badly sprained ankle. He was worried about it too. I feel like we really jelled well together as a team.

I just want to clarify an earlier answer. You mentioned about how those three schools stood out. Were you implying that it was too late, in essence, for other schools to get involved or just that those three happened to stand out right now?
Oh, no, no. Yeah, it's not too late. It's just that those three schools happened to be recruiting a little harder than the others at this point.

Has there been any really new school to step in?
Well, Maryland offered and North Carolina stepped up their interest.

Well, that must've made you feel good.
Oh, yeah, it did.

What was it like, by the way, when Nolan Smith joined the Assault coaching staff?
(laughs) Oh, yeah, that was great because you know that's a guy that accomplished so much and he's got a really good basketball mind. He doesn't get crazy out there. He just helps you focus.

Did he help at all with the strategy?
Oh, yeah, he helped. He pointed out things and, you know, who for us to make switches on. It was great to have him out there with us, you know. I think we all appreciated it and certainly I did. It was great.

He mentioned that he was going to say something to the team.
Oh, yeah, he talked to all of us. He mentioned how it wasn't long ago that he was in our seats. He talked about hard he worked and has to work to continue to make it. He encouraged all of us to get out there and work. It was inspirational.

IMG_20110706_174117_2_2 — Nate Britt BDN/Andrew Slater Photo

It's amazing that he was in your spot or grade just five years ago.
Yeah, it is . It just goes so fast. It helps keep him in touch. He just kept saying how hard he worked and to stay focused and stuff like that. He always, like, had his eye on the prize and encouraged us to do that to.

Before you were talking about how you guys play so many games, do you feel that momentum carries over from one tournament to the next.
Yeah, I think it does, when we play events really close to one another. When you win or lose a lot in one tournament, I do think it carries over…it can help bring confidence to a team or sometimes drag it down.

Is there any player nationally that you wanted to get a chance to play or take on this summer and you didn't get a chance to at one of the various events?
That's tough. Not really…I think I've played just about everybody at this point. (laughs).

In terms of position, is anyone recruiting you as a combo guard at this point or is everybody now looking at you as a straight one?
Really, just a one now. Just a straight one.

How are you trying to use Twitter? Growing your audience. Is it a way to get your voice out there?
Oh, yeah, I'm just trying to get people to know me a little bit and, like you said, grow my audience or voice.

Lastly, you've traveled all around through basketball. What's been your favorite tournament that you've played in so far?
I would probably have to say Vegas. It's either Vegas or Indiana. Those are my two favorites because they just feel bigger and there's more excitement in the air for whatever reason. Kids are pumped up to play in front of the coaches, I guess. The games feel more important.

Thanks again, Nate. Good luck to you.
Yeah, yeah, sure. You're welcome. [/private]

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Bronson Koenig: One of Wisconsin’s Better Players

July 29, 2011 Andrew Slater

The college town of La Crosse, Wisconsin sits on the banks of the Mississippi, which provides the border to Minnesota. It is the hometown of Bronson Koenig, a 6'2" guard who straddles the line between point guard and shooting guard. The 2013 prospect has recently picked up significant interest from the Duke Blue Devils. As a sophomore, he led Aquinas High School to a state title and was named All-State in Wisconsin.

On the AAU circuit, Koenig competed with the Wisconsin Playground Warriors 16-and-under squad at the Adidas Super 64. He had been getting recruiting interest from Kansas, North Carolina, and in-state Wisconsin, but recently the Jayhawks were able to receive a verbal commitment from Connor Frankamp, a Wichita guard who led his 16U squad to the Super 64 Championship.

After a 52-44 defeat by New Heights, the third straight defeat for the ultimately 1-4 Warriors, the terse Koenig spoke about Duke's recent interest, how he felt he performed in his initial game in front of Coach K, and how he's going to try to improve his game in the coming months.

What position do you view yourself as? A combo or more of a one?
It doesn't really matter. I mean I can play point guard in college or I can play either the one, two, or three.

In terms of the colleges that are pursuing you, Wisconsin and North Carolina are considered two of your leaders. Kansas took a commitment last week from Connor. Are those your two primary suitors or are there other programs out there that are still in the running?
Yeah, I'd say Virginia, Duke, and Kansas are the other ones. That's pretty much it.
[private]

How far along do you feel that you are in terms of deciding? Is this near the end or do you still feel you're in the early stages?
I'd say late… Late.

You're sort of known as a three point shooter and a secondary ball-handler. How have you tried to diversify your game, in order to make it more difficult for defenders to guard you?
I've tried to improve my ability to get in the lane and then either improve my ability to dish it off or lay it in.

Is there significant in-state pressure to choose Wisconsin?
Yeah, um, there is a little bit.

For the audience that may not know much about you, you won the state title this past year and made All-State as well. Share with the audience what this run was like?
Yeah, it was a really good team and I learned a lot that I'll be able to use later on too.

What are your goals for this upcoming high school season?
To win another state championship.

Alright, what are you hoping to improve upon most over the next year?
Getting stronger, getting lower, and developing my core game more and I think I need to work on my conditioning a little bit, do you know what I mean?

Yeah, I do. By the way, do you view three-point shooting as your strength or is it something else?
Um, yeah, I'd say shooting and passing.
Shooting and passing?
Yeah.

Is there a guy that you try to model your game after?
Not really.

One of the other schools you mentioned before was Duke. What do you know about the program and which coaches have you spoken with?
Oh, yeah, I talked to them when I was in Louisville. They said that they were going to go ahead and watch me play here. So, we'll see..

What do you know about the program?
It's a really good program.

What do you find are some of the differences between playing with the 16s versus the 17s?
Yeah, as I'm sure you know, it's a big difference. they're physically so much bigger and more athletic and stronger. I'd say athleticism and strength are the biggest things. I'm not sure, but I'll probably play with them at the next event. You need to get stronger as you move up the ranks.

What are you looking for ideally whenever you do decide on a college?
Well, I think it'll pretty much come down to how comfortable I am with being there. Just a comfort level.

Who will you turn to for guidance whenever you do decide?
My parents. Yeah, my parents probably.

Have you taken any visits recently and do you have any planned?
I went to North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Kansas.

Who's the best player you've faced so far, either in Wisconsin or nationally?
I don't know. There are a lot of really good players. (laughs)

Coach K came and saw you play for the first time. Did that have any significance?
Um, I guess it was in the back of my mind a little bit, but I just tried to play through it.

Was it similar to when some of the other big-time coaches came and watched you play for the first time?
Um, yeah.

Is it pressure, hunger..
A little of both, but I guess a little pressure.

How do you feel that you played?
I don't really think about it. I though it was really clogged up and I couldn't get anything going.

What do you think you need to focus on?
Getting stronger and getting lower…just getting my body lower and eventually being able to get above the rim.

Defensively, which position do you feel most comfortable guarding? They switched you a lot out there today. Mostly playing guys off of the ball.
Either one, it doesn't really matter.

Thanks for your time.
Thanks.[/private]

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BDN Premium bringing the heat – Las Vegas coverage begins

July 22, 2011 Mark Watson

It's hot as Hades outside but it's even hotter inside Blue Devil Nation Premium as our unmatched AAU Basketball coverage continues starting mid day. Thus far, BDN has had representatives at 95% of all the major events and that allows us to live stream information shortly after it happens on the members only message board.

Recruitiniks across the nation all know that Las Vegas features three key tournaments as the season winds down. BDN's Recruiting Analyst Andrew Slater is on the scene in Sin City to bring you his own unique style of coverage that's a major hit with our members.

Slater is all about the details and he let's you know who the Duke coaches and other coaches are watching and brings you incredibly informative and in depth interviews with key Duke targets. He is well prepared and informed for what to look for so that his reporting is extremely efficient.

He reaches into a vast pool of knowledge of the circuit and as always has a complete Duke focus unlike most corporate sites that depend on their national guys. It's a form of personal coverage that makes fans feel like they are right there.

Just go to the BDN Premium tab up top and look at the vast amount of prospect interviews we've had after covering the Adidas Invitational, LeBron James Skills Academy and the Nike EYBL Peach Jam. And the archives are full of prior offerings of interest as well.

BDN Premium has set itself apart from our competitors every summer and it's time for you to see what you are missing. If you want to be well informed and constantly entertained by our Duke-centric coverage, join today!

Exciting changes are in the works at BDN Premium as well and you can be a part of that as it starts unfolding in the near future. If it is a Duke Athletic happening, BDN is always on the scene, live and in person

If you are not satisfied with what you see, I will give you 24 hours and send you a full refund upon request. That is how certain we are that you'll love Blue Devil Nation Premium, our extended all access site subscription.