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Ryan Kelly continues to show improvement. Photo copyright Rick Crank special to BDN

DURHAM, N.C. – There were some solid individual efforts during Tuesday evenings N.C. Pro Am but it was Nolan Smith who stole the buzz.  Smith looked over to his Dreamwork’s coach and  bench with 5 seconds on the first half clock of his game, he then turned and left three pairs of sneakers on the court as he weaved through the defense to score at the buzzer as the crowd showed their approval.

Smith would go on to score 43 points and his moves dazzled the crowd bringing them to their feet or drawing multiple reactions.  In short, there was nobody who could stop Smith from invoking his will.  Smith told BDN after the game that he had been working non stop to improve and touched on his preparation to go to New York to be with the U.S. Select team.

Smith had help from two Plumlee brothers, no, not Miles and Mason, but Mason and Marshall.  The youngest Plumlee a rising senior at Christ School Arden started the game by jumping center and scored 6 points to go to go with 2 blocks.  His brother Mason brought about some of the evenings loudest roars of approval with his emphatic dunks and ability to handle the ball in the open court.

Plumlee [Mason] finished with 15 points, grabbing 7 boards and his most impressive stat was his team high 5 assists.  BDN also got word that Mason and Miles were selected as counselors at the Adidas Nations event and they will head to Minnesota where their brother Marshall will play in the event.

All of the Blue Devils had their moments in the win which included Nolan putting it off the backboard for Mason to throw down a dunk.  Mason matched up most of the evening with Jawad Williams.

The next game featured four Blue Devils where the three freshman faced off with Ryan Kelly’s team.  On this night Kyrie coasted along with 13 points but he had moments where he showed I can do what I want when I want.  He dished several assists and his teammate Tyler Thornton added 4 points.

Josh Hairston scored 12 points and is averaging 15.0 ppg in his last two outings.  One might think that these Dukies played on the winning team but it was a gallant effort by Ryan Kelly which enabled his depth shy D-One team to defeat Hendrick 79-75.

A late Irving bucket cut the lead to two in a sea saw affair, but that was as close as they would come for Kelly answered by finishing off an alley-oop dunk.  Kelly finished the game with 21 points.

“We just got out in transition and played confident.  I’ve been working hard all summer and being able to showcase that work is great.  It was just our night,” said Kelly.

In the night cap Miles Plumlee took to the court where he was greeted by former Los Angeles Laker and current Atlanta Hawk Josh Powell.  The current NBA star coming off a championship scored a game high 27 points and at times taught Plumlee a lesson.  But the eldest Plumlee never backed down and got his shot off with a variety of moves on his way to 19 points.

Plumlee had to play the whole way in the middle where his team had to add two players due to no-shows.  The athletic Plumlee can only benefit from playing tough competition.

Andre Dawkins and Seth Curry attended the games but did not play.  The N.C. State guys are preparing to go to the Bahama’s while the UNC guys were once again no-shows.  BDN learned from a good source that the Heels would be there for the play offs.  The games continue this coming Tuesday as the event starts to wrap up.

Be sure to sign up for BDN Twitter for the latest updates from the Pro Am and the recruiting trail.  And we have more on Nolan Smith coming your way in the morning.  BDn’s stats differ a bit from the official stats but we assure you they are accurate.

Duke's Mason Plumlee chats with BDN - Photo rights Rick Crank, BDN

DURHAM, N.C. – The Blue Devil Nation caught up to Duke’s rising sophomore Mason Plumlee during the N.C. Pro Am last evening.  We talked to Mason about his off season efforts work, his thoughts on the freshman, his brother Marshall and more.

Mason’s stat line for last night – 15 points, 7 rebounds, 1 block,1 steal, 5 assists.  Stay tuned to BDN  for a full report on last evenings action and a talk with Nolan Smith who dropped 43.

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Josh Hairston throws down a dunk at the N.C. Pro Am - Photo Rick Crank for BDN

DURHAM, N.C. -Duke freshman Josh Hairston is starting to adjust to college life and the rigors of non stop basketball.  Hairston has joined fellow freshman Kyrie Irving and Tyler Thornton and their team is on display at the N.C Pro Am.  Hairston struggled in his first game out of the gate going against the likes of Josh Powell of the L.A. Lakers but he regrouped and bounced back with an 18 point effort in his last outing.  BDN caught up to Hairtson to get his thoughts -

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Tyler Thornton is showing off his game at the N.C. Pro Am, photo Rick Crank special to BDN. pixbyric.com

DURHAM, N.C. - On the first night of the N.C. Pro Am incoming Duke freshman Tyler Thornton laced up his sneakers only to find himself on a team of 18 players.  The coach didn’t know who Thornton was, so he sat there on the bench for the whole first half.  When I slipped word his way, Thornton played in the following half and was very effective in his brief minutes. 

Thornton’s playing time has increased since that first evening and most fans who’ve watched him play come away impressed.  Thornton is the kind of player simply does what it takes for his team to compete. 

He has showed the ability to be a good defender always hustling on defense and it is quite obvious that he has worked on his outside shot this off season.  BDN caught up to Thornton after a recent game and got his thoughts on what it is like to finally be on the Duke campus.

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Andrae Dawkins dropped 36 while his teammate and opponent last evening Seth Curry. Curry ended the game with 27 and got the win. Photo Rick Crank for BDN, pixbyrix.com

DURHAM, N.C. - On a steamy summer night the N.C. Pro Am continued but no shows from North Carolina and N.C. State disappointed some for anticipated match ups would not take place.  Well, that is if you are a Heel or Pack faithful for the Blue Devils turned out in force.  On a night when the defense mirrored the NBA All Star game seven Blue Devils were in action and three of them scored 20 plus points.  And two of the Devils would go head to head in the evenings most entertaining game

Kyrie Irving wasted little time in wowing the crowd by daring the defenders to stay with him using cross over dribbles and stutter steps to free up his shot or set up a dish to a teammate.  Irving hung in the air for one showboat assist which brought the crowd to their feet, but it was a catch while hanging in mid air and a tomahawk dunk that really had the place rocking.  Irving ended the evening with 22 points and 7 assists.  Irving was scheduled to go against N.C. State freshman Ryan Harrow who failed to show due to prior obligations.

While Tyler Thornton did not score a point, he played solid on ball defense and his shadowing frustrated opponents into mistakes or an uninvited elbow push off.  Thornton dished 3 assists and played a solid overall game.

But the third Team Hendricks Dukie, Josh Hairston impressed as well where he scored 18 points, his tournament high.  Four of his baskets came off either Irving or Thornton assists and he was comfortable in the paint while floating out to hit turnaround jumpers.

Hendrick’s won the game by a 110-96 margin and they will play again this coming Tuesday.

In the night cap Andre Dawkins and Seth Curry put on a show.  The two teammates traded baskets early on, smiling at each other as if to say top that as the game progressed. 

“I came out and hit my first couple of shots and then a three from the corner and I was really feeling it after that,” said Dawkins who would end the game with a dazzling 36 point effort. 

“I see him do it every day, so it’s no surprise for me,” said Curry who sat out last season after transferring from Liberty.

Curry nailed a trio of three point shots to start the game setting the bar high but Andre was the first to draw blood with a three of his own.

“He hit the first one and said, “What are you going to do,?” it was fun and good competition.  With two great shooters it was fun to go back and forth, stated Curry.

“Yeah, we were keeping tabs the whole game to see who had more points but he is playing the distributor for his team and didn’t put up as many shots as I did playing the two spot for my team,” said Dawkins who for a while could not miss.

Curry replied by saying, “He got the points  but I got the win.”  He continued, “Last year we were on each others team in practice a lot so we got to know each others game and we try to make each other better.”

If last night was any indication of the future, when Curry and Dawkins are both on a roll it will bode quite well for the Blue Devils.

BDN Sidebar -Ryan Kelly chipped in 9 points and played a solid overall game but with former Wolfpack and current Los Angeles Laker Josh Powell [31 points] joining Team Jamison his D-One team fell 101-95 which evened things up after Kelly led them to a win with 31 last week.

Miles Plumlee added 10 points to the victors and had a vicious behind the head dunk.  He was also on the end of Dawkins best assist of the night where he caught a behind the back pass for a dunk on the break.

Rodney Rodgers got a warm reception as he took to mid court in a wheel chair after his tragic accident.  The former Durham Hillside and Wake Forest star spoke of his foundation.

The games will continue next Tuesday with tip off of the first contest scheduled for around 6:00.  Be prepared to walk a distance due to parking issues and keep in mind that the doors will be shut down upon capacity. Admission is free.

For more Pro Am thoughts check out the BDN Premium message board where we report live and be sure to sign up for our twitter page for the best updates available. Be sure to check out our live updates from the recruiting trail where BDN’s Andre Slater is in Las Vegas checking out all the action as Coach K, Collins and James scout the nations top prospects.

Kyrie high stepping in his Nikes. Photo Rick Crank pixbyric.com for BDN

There is a buzz around the N.C. Pro Am which involves the play of incoming freshman Kyrie Irving.  Ever the competitor, Irving relishs the opportunity to go up against any and all comers.  After committing two early turnovers in his most recent game, Irving settled in and dropped 33 points.  The New Jersey native wowed the crowd with his ball handling ability and he blew by pretty much everybody who tried to guard him in his last outing.  BDN teamed with the News and Observer’s Ken Tysiac to get Irving’s thoughts on many issues which you can hear via BDN Audio. 

Note -You will need to adjust your volume for there are some technical issues with the recording which we could not resolve, meaning it is loud and more distorted than we like but it is still worth a listen.

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Kelly dropped 28 points last evening at the N.C. Pro Am - Photo property of Rick Crank of pixbyric.com and cannot be used without permission from Rick Crank or BDN.

DURHAM, N.C. -  The first thing you notice when watching Ryan Kelly in the N.C. Pro Am is the fact that he has bulked up via the weight room and diet. Kelly dropped 28 points last evening which helped guide his D-One team to a close 82-79 victory over Dreamworks.  Kelly showed off his improved all around game and has that unusual and rare throw back mid range game. In short, Kelly did all things well last evening.  While attending the Peach Jam I had a brief chat  with Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski who posed a question to me.  “Have you seen Ryan?,” asked the HOF coach who seemed elated at the changes he has made physically.  Kelly’s emergence gives Duke fans something to look forward to as next years team depth will likely land them as pre season number one in the polls.  During the interview, Kelly made it clear that he would find a way on the court this season and he did so with a steely eyed conviction.  Listen to Kelly’s comments for yourself via BDN audio where I shared the session with my pal, Ken Tysiac of the Charlotte Observer -

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Rising junior Khem Burch is a name to watch. In our latest interview, Andrew Slater gets to know the Canadian who will be a cornerstone on Team Canada as he progresses. copyright BDN Photo

Khem Birch is a 6′9″ 200 lb rising junior from the Montreal area. In June, Birch helped Canada win a bronze medal at the U-18 FIBA Americas Championship in San Antonio, leading the junior national team in rebounding and blocked shots.  After spending his sophomore year at Winchendon Academy, he has transferred to Notre Dame Prep in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. At the recent King City Classic, the soft-spoken Canadian with the loud game spoke with Blue Devil Nation about  a variety of topics, ranging from his Canadian junior national team experience to his desire to being a two-and-done to Kyrie Irving.
 

What schools are recruiting you hardest right now?
Providence, Florida, Pitt, Texas, Ohio State, West Virginia, and Arizona.
 

Have they all offered?
Yes, they’ve all offered. Kentucky also contacted me recently, but they haven’t offered yet.

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The Blue Devil Nations Andrew Slater brings home an in depth interview with prime Duke target Shabazz Muhammad. If you thought you knew it all about Muhammad, think again. BDN Photo, BDN Premium is a premium information subscription service of BDN.

Andrew Slater’s in depth [2000 word] interview with Shabazz Muhammad is the type of offering which makes BDN Premium your choice for Duke Basketball Recruiting information.  His reports continue on our message board where I am sending back info from the Peach Jam as it happens.  There is one day left on our trial offer, so take advantage of it and see the BDN difference for yourself

Shabazz Muhammad is a 6-5 rising junior who was born in California.  Muhammad has yet to win Nevada state titles in each of his two years of high school basketball at Bishop Gorman. The first-team All-State wing averaged nearly twenty points and ten rebounds per game during this past season. The gregarious and competitive Muhammad was the first player in the class of 2012 to receive a scholarship offer for basketball from Duke University. His parents were both high-caliber athletes as well. His mother, Faye, is in Long Beach State’s Hall of Fame for her contributions in both track as well as basketball and his engaging father, Ron Holmes, played the wing at the University of Southern California for Coach Stan Morrison in the early 1980s and currently helps to coach Shabazz and his younger brother, Rashad, for their respective DreamVision AAU teams. At the recent Adidas Invitational, in which he averaged more than thirty points per game, Shabazz graciously spoke with Blue Devil Nation about a multitude of topics, including the advantages of being both left-handed and genetically blessed, his sister Asia’s burgeoning tennis career, and fellow Duke recruit, Alex Murphy.

Let’s start with the most basic question. What schools are coming after you hardest right now?

Pretty much a lot of schools on my list are coming after me. Texas, Kansas, USC, UCLA, Louisville, Duke, and some I didn’t name, but I’m just looking to play hard, play with a purpose, and I know pretty much all of these schools are looking at how I play.

There were plenty of coaches out there today.
Yeah, and so I’m going to go out there and try to perform.

Do you have a timeframe for when you’d like to decide by?
I don’t know yet, but I’m going to try to get some more visits in. I think it’ll be this upcoming year, my junior year, though.

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Join now by clicking the red button in the page header, or learn more about the benefits of a Blue Devil Nation Premium membership by clicking on the red "Member Info / Login" tab at the top of the page. There, you can learn about the various membership options, register and subscribe, or get help.