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BDN Premium Interview – Prospect Alex Murphy talks Duke, Hoops and Recruiting

Alex Murphy - copyright BDN Photo

Two years ago, Alex Murphy was a reserve forward for St. Mark's of Southborough, Massachusetts. Now, he's the focal point of one of New England's best prep school teams and one of the most coveted wings in the country. Recently, the Rhode Island native visited Duke for their game against Maryland with his dad, Jay, the former Boston College star and NBA forward. After a recent game against Life Center Academy (NJ) at the Hoop Hall Classic, Murphy recounted his recent visit to Duke and discussed what he wants to improve upon before playing college basketball, his transition of necessity to the power forward position for St. Mark's, his relationship with Quinn Cook, and how he's improved since the summer.

Alex, can you talk about facing LaQuinton Ross and what he did to you guys in the first half?

Yeah, I know LaQuinton real well. We played in the Elite 24 together and I know him from seeing him around the circuits. He obviously played a great game and hurt us in the first half. He hit a lot of threes. He's a good player and he's going to get his own, but I think we did a better job in the second half of containing him and staying front of him.

You guys started to hit threes in the final quarter, gained momentum, and took the lead briefly near the end, but what happened on that final possession? What was the design of the play?

I don't really know what happened. I just, kind of, lost my footing and slipped. Like you said, we hit some threes down the stretch, and we actually went up two with just a couple of minutes left so..When Nick (Stauskas) hit that three, I thought we had the game right there, but, unfortunately, things turned and they hit a couple of shots in the last minute to [private]regain the lead and ultimately the game. Credit to them.

Another reporter: Two years ago, your brother, Erik, was going through the recruiting process. Now you are. How did that prepare you for what you're going through right now?

It's helped me a lot. Just, sort of, sitting in the backseat and watching him go through the whole thing. It definitely helped and he's been great, you know, if I ever need any help or if I ever have any questions about the whole thing, he's been there for me.

Same reporter: You came here two years ago and now you have a bigger role on the team. What's changed in two years?

Well, like you said, my role has changed in two years. I'm a bigger part of the team, but it's just a great event to be at and it's a lot of fun. I'm just glad we got to come here.

Do you have any timetable for your decision?

No, I don't have any real time set yet.

Can you talk about the great experience of playing in showcase events like this or the City of Palms? The competition, the exposure, the travel and camaraderie..

Yeah, yeah, yeah, It's a great thing both individually and for your team as well. The competition you face is obviously top-notch. So, you've gotta be ready to go from the jump. The guys you're facing every game are going to be good. We didn't show well today, but, like you said, it's a great opportunity.

What do you think you've improved upon the most since the summer, in terms of skill development? Anything in particular?

Yeah, I think I've improved on a lot. There are stretches during the high school season where you can really work on things like skill development. As you know, it's a lot different than AAU..

You guys are playing a ton of games. Realistically, more than a hundred games over a few months.

Yeah, yeah, exactly, we're playing almost every day. Two to three times a day. Teams can't scout you. There's a lot more freelancing. Not as much defense. The caliber of player is maybe a little better. Guys can't key in on you as much. High school's definitely a lot different. I'm playing a different position here now so that's been a work in progress.

You're playing the four a lot more here. On the Playaz and even last year at Saint Mark's, you played primarily the three with some spot minutes at the four, right?

Yeah, yeah, which is a little different than I played in the past..absolutely

Do you like the switch?

Um, well, I mean I guess if I had my preference, I'd like to be on the wing. I think that's more of my..

Natural position?

Yeah, it's more of my natural position, but I mean playing the four here I mean if it's something I've gotta do for my team, I've gotta do it.

In the time you have left in high school, what are the things you'd like to work on most to prepare you for the next level?

I feel like I've got to get a bit stronger. Add some muscle. I need to work on my body. Work on my agility. Get faster. I need to be able to deal with the speed or quickness in the game at the next level. It's obviously played a lot faster and the guys I'll be guarding are much faster and more skilled. So, I have to be able to match them. Those are things that immediately jump out at me. I guess I really just need to improve all around.

Do you have any visits upcoming? I know you went to Duke recently and you're supposed to head over to BC soon.

Yeah, I just went to Duke and it was a really good visit.

What did you see and do there?

Well, I mean obviously it's a great school and I've been down there before, but this was my first time there seeing a game. It was great and the atmosphere was intense. Like I said, it was a lot of fun, but, in terms of upcoming visits, I don't have any others really planned.

Did you have time to do a tour of the campus?

Not really, we went through like the pre-game all Sunday with the team and I saw the team prepare and workout and stuff. It was a night game and we actually had to head out early Monday morning to avoid the storm.

I was talking with Quinn Cook and I asked him who he was recruiting. He said he was busy recruiting three guys: you, Shabazz Muhammad, and Tony Parker. He said you three are the ones he's concentrating on.

(laughs hard) Yeah, yeah, yeah, Quinn's been really nice. He's a great kid.

Yeah, he is. He was so disappointed in the loss.

Yeah, I know. Well, same with us right now.

I know I feel like the Kiss of Death showing up outside of locker rooms.

(laughs) Yeah, no, but Quinn's a great kid obviously and I know him from Adidas Nations,

DC Assault and New England Playaz.

Yeah, absolutely, and we're in contact all of the time. He's pushing Duke hard.

How has your season gone so far? Other than today..

Yeah, other than today, it's going well. I think there's a lot of things that we can improve on and we really have to improve on in order to go from being a good team to a great team.

I like your pickup of Nick (Stauskas). I think he adds a new dimension to your team and can help you create space.

Yeah, he does. He definitely does. He forces teams to not be able to pack it in against Kaleb or just key on me. He gives us a third scorer. Like I said, though, we've still got a lot of things that we need to work on. We're improving, but today exposed some things we need to concentrate on.

Well, today from the second quarter on you guys played more cohesively as a unit, contained Ross, and scrapped to get back in the game. It was really just that first quarter where LaQuinton went nuts. He had about 21 in just over the first quarter.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, but I blame that on myself. I don't think I gave him enough credit or respect for being able to consistently knock down those three-pointers. I should've guarded him more tightly or recognized it quicker. It put us in such a deficit so quickly.

It was such a freak or an abnormal quarter. As the person sitting next to me said, he hasn't shot that well from outside since he was a freshman.

Like I said, he can really play and I knew that, but I guess I wasn't ready enough.

In terms of New England, are you guys the prohibitive favorite in your league this season?

Well, there's a newly formed league this year and so there's a lot better or, at least, there are lot of good teams in our league this year. Tilton is really good.

Nerlens Noel is a very good prospect.

They're deep. Cushing is good. Saint Andrew's has some very good players. They're playing here. So, I wouldn't say we're the prohibitive favorite because there are a lot of good teams, but I will say that, as long as we keep improving, that we've got a good chance or good opportunity to win the Championship.

Thanks a lot, Alex.

Sure, no problem. [/private]

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National Recruiting Focus – Andre Drummond

Andre Drummond - USA Basketball

Standing at a listed 6'11" and weighing 265 pounds,  Andre Drummond isn't going to sneak up on anybody, but he seems more comfortable allowing his teammates to shine, with the occasional flash of dominance that causes coaches and crowds to gather and watch him. Drummond has had the body of a man since middle school, but he's very much still a kid, who likes to laugh and have fun. Sometimes, people would like him to take the game more seriously or be something that he isn't quite yet. Drummond understands that he needs to play harder and more consistently. Despite his size and relative athleticism, as my friend and veteran scout Tom Konchalski likes to point out, his best attribute is his passing. 

This past summer, the Mount Vernon, New York native and current Connecticut resident helped the USA Basketball U17 team to a gold medal at the 2010 FIBA U17 World Championship in Hamburg, Germany. Against both Serbia and Lithuania, Andre was a perfect five for five from the field. On a loaded U-17 team, Drummond averaged nearly nine points, seven rebounds, and two blocked shots in almost thirteen minutes per game. The prior year, the nearly seven footer was instrumental in helping the USA team to another gold medal at the inaugural FIBA Americas U16 Championship in Mendoza, Argentina over host country Argentina.

Drummond has spent the past seventeen months at St. Thomas More in Oakdale, Connecticut playing for Coach Jere Quinn, who has molded many current and former college basketball players, including former McDonald's All-American, Eddie Cota. St. Thomas More, the namesake of the school, was credited for coining the term "utopia," which is coincidentally how Andre has viewed his experience thus far, embracing the structure and discipline of the institution. Drummond feels that his time spent here has helped him improve on both ends of the court and view the game differently.

After a recent loss against a deep and older Hargrave Military Academy squad, Andre Drummond spoke with Blue Devil Nation.

This was clearly a very tough opponent with mix of postgraduates and several future ACC players. They've got guards going to Virginia Tech and North Carolina.

We did well and then it kind of got away from us near the end of the game.

They came out really hard at the beginning. You guys were able to take their first punch and come back. What did you guys do put you right back in the game?

They ran out early and Coach called timeout. He said, "Don't get rattled. Just go out there and let's keep playing. Trust each other." We did that and it helped cut the lead and kept our focus.

For you, it looks like you took a shot to the mouth in the first half. What happened there?

A couple of games previous to this..I got hit in my face and lost a tooth. I got hit again today and, so, it kind of shook me up a little bit. (laughs)

I saw you were wearing that mouthguard.

Yeah, that saw just to protect it. They knocked it out. It caused a sharp pain..but just for a little bit and then I wanted to get right back out there.

Coach has said that in the past he's wanted you to be a bit more more dominant and calling for the ball. Is it still a process for you? There's times where you did that today and then there were times where he was telling you to do it a  little bit.

I'm just like more of a team player. I like to get my teammates involved. I like to see my teammates score more than I do. I like to see the smiles on their faces. That's just the type of player I am.

For you and your teammates, what do you learn from a game like this?

We've just got to learn from our mistakes and realize that we've got a game very soon. So, we've got to try to correct our mistakes and play better then.

You guys were coming off of a long break before this game.  Guys were coming from all over. What impact, if any, did that have on this game?

I think it did have an effect. It was a long break.

One of the things that Coach was talking about was just how much more aggressive that they came out of the gates. He mentioned that their effort coming out of the gates, particularly on defense, set the tone early. Can you touch on that? Did they surprise you early on in the game?

Yeah, I think everybody was kind of relaxed before we went out there. Maybe too relaxed. They gave us, like you said before, a punch in the face and then we were like "Okay, we've got to match their intensity." They took their lead and now we're going to fight back to get in this game.

Another reporter: You're the top national prospect and you've been anointed as "the next Amar'e Stoudamire or Dwight Howard." How do respond or what are your thoughts on statements like that?

(laughs) I don't really get too big-headed or stuff like that.  I just take it all in. I don't really let any of that stuff get to me, one way or the other. I appreciate people thinking or saying that stuff about me, but I'm just trying to enjoy myself. On days like this, it doesn't really matter.

What are the qualities or things that you are looking for in the program that you'll commit to?

I don't have a list, but I'd like a great academic structure and a good basketball staff. That's what I've found here.

I'm sorry. Did you say that you didn't have a list of schools right now?

No, I don't have a list right now. I'm sorry.

What do you feel are your strengths and weaknesses at this point?

Well, I think, when I demand the ball, I can be very good and sometimes dominant, but my weaknesses are getting a little lazy on things like offense. I need to get better at not doing that.

And how do you think you've improved since coming to Saint Thomas More and playing for Coach Quinn?

I think I've gotten stronger. My offense and defense has improved. Mentally, I'm seeing the game more clearly.

Just out of curiosity, on this team, there are guys that are two to three years older than you, but, obviously, for the team to be successful, you need to be a leader and one of the focal points. Is it ever an issue for you to get after some guys or give advice to teammates, who are several years older than you?

(laughs) Yeah, it's sometimes a little weird. You know giving guys advice that are like nineteen or twenty years old and I just turned seventeen years old. It does feel a little weird, but hopefully they understand where it's coming from. (laughs)

At the same time, does it feel strange demanding the ball from these guys and trying to take on that dominant role, when you've got such veteran players around you?

Not really. I don't really call for the ball too much, as you've seen. I just try to get my other teammates involved a little bit. Give them a chance to score too.

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

No, not really.

How about your experience with USA Basketball? You've not only participated, but been an integral part of both teams you've made.

I'm always happy to see you wearing your USA Basketball sweatshirts and hats at various events.

I'm glad to see that kind of patriotism. Can you tell the audience a little bit about those experiences?

Oh, absolutely, those were amazing experiences. Like you said, I got a chance to play for our country twice. I got a chance to visit some interesting places too. Last year, I went down to Argentina and then, this year, I went over to Hamburg, Germany.

Can you talk about the competition and the travel just a little bit more?

Oh, sure, we got to play against some good teams like Lithuania and then Poland.

Who else did we play?

I'm sorry, but I just don't remember right off the top of my head. The competition was tough though. I played like seven footers and guys like 6'11." So, you know, kids my height and so it was good to get challenged. They were a lot bigger and stronger than I was.

What kind of challenge was that for you?

Oh, it was hard, man. They were tough. I actually had to play. (laughs)

Who's the toughest player that you've faced so far?

That's a tough one, but I'd probably say Michael Gilchrist.

Do you have any visits planned, as of today?

No, none at all at this time.

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

Oh, I'd like them to know that I'm a humble kid who likes to do charity work. I'm proud of that. I just was working on a clothing drive last week. I like to give back to my community as well.

I remember that you were from Mount Vernon originally and moved up to Connecticut when you were eight. That's not far from where I grew up.

Oh, yes, yes.

Well, thanks very much for your time and being a part of USA Basketball.

Of course, thanks. Nice talking to you.

Andrew Slater is one of BDN Premiums Recruiting Analyst's and he's as good as it gets.  Do you want more information on Drummond and where Duke fits in?  Join Blue Devil Nation Premium and discuss the matter with other Duke fans on our members only message board. Memberships are availiable on a trial one month period, three months, six months or a year which is the best bargain at $100.00.  With many upcoming changes in the works, BDN Premium is more than ever the place to be for Duke fanatics.

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BDN Interviews Future Blue Devil Quinn Cook

Quinn Cook - Photo by Rick Crank for BDN

It's been a tumultuous six months for Quinn Cook. The jovial 6'1" D.C. area native won a Gold medal for the USA 17 U team in Hamburg, Germany, suffered a partially torn meniscus after falling awkwardly at the end of an exhibition game for television, began attending a new school in rural Virginia, committed to defending National Champion Duke, and became the leader of the mythical number one high school team in the country, Oak Hill. After this weekend's nationally televised loss to Milton HS of Georgia, a more somber Cook spoke briefly with Blue Devil Nation about his physical recovery, his transition to Oak Hill, his McDonald's All-American aspirations, and which players he's trying to recruit to Duke.

First of all, how's your knee right now?

It's a little sore, I mean, cold weather really makes it sore. I just wanted to try my best.

Are you close to a hundred percent?

I [private] don't know. I'm just trying to ice it, man. Just ice it and put as little stress on it as possible. I had surgery on it only three months ago. I was on crutches. A couple of months is just not going to completely heal it.

How's your recovery and rehab going?

It's been going good. Since we're in season, I can't do as much, but I still have to do balance and work on exercising it.

I've been there and I know it's remote, but do they have all the facilities you need there?

No, there's no facilities. It's just me using what we have there.

Just doing what you can. What are some things, like your upper body, you could work on while you were recovering from surgery?

I just have been lifting a whole lot more. Coach thought that was something that would help my game. So, since I've gotten to Oak Hill, I've added six or seven pounds. I've been trying to build and add to my upper-body, since my lower-body isn't there yet.

What's the transition from DeMatha to Oak Hill been like?

It's been great. It's just an honor to put on the Oak Hill jersey and to play for a great coach like Coach Smith. He's coached my idols like Rajon Rondo and Brandon Jennings. Guys I've watched film after and just tried to pattern my game after. They learned a lot from him so I try to be just like a sponge around him. He has so many great stories and great ways to make me better.

Was it hard for you to leave home? was that an issue at all?

Yeah, it was hard leaving my mom. She's a single mother, but she knows that I have to do what's best for me. It's tough being away at times. It's probably the hardest part about coming to Oak Hill, you know, being away from you mom and not being able to hug her at night.

Your mother was here tonight, though, right?

Yeah, she made this trip, but she doesn't come normally. It's actually like being in college because, when you're far away, you've got to get up on your own, be at class on time, and make your bed. You become a man.

Doron (Lamb) said that when he came to Oak Hill, he had to get used to almost always being the road team, always being booed, and being comfortable with target on his back.

Yeah, well, we had a target on our back at DeMatha, but it's just bigger here at Oak Hill. That's fun, though. You've just got to bring your 'A' game every night, though, as you can see. I mean we didn't play well tonight, but it's a long season. We just can't hang our head after one loss.

Yeah, you've just refocus your team and don't let one game carry over to the next. Talk about the matchup with Scott.

Shannon's a great player. I've had a lot of match-ups with him. I don't know what happened, but he's a heck of a player and he led his guys to the victory.

This is your fourth trip to the Hall of Fame.

Yeah, this is my fourth time and it's my favorite event because there's just so much history. I get goosebumps every time I walk into the Hall of Fame.

You can't help it if you love basketball.

Yeah, it's cool.

One of the goals you mentioned over the summer was to make the McDonald's All-American game.

Yeah, that's definitely one of the goals I set out for myself this year and hopefully that can still happen. I just pray that I didn't blow it tonight. Hopefully, I didn't though.

How do you feel your shot at making the game is now? You've had a very good career and a solid senior season so far.

I don't know. I didn't play well tonight. Hopefully, they look past tonight.

Can you talk about competition you face both in practice and in games?

Yeah, it pushes you because you're playing against the best players in the country every day, one way or the other. We play against the best and then we're all top-ranked players. It's very competitive and we're just trying to make each other better.

What, if anything, has the Duke staff asked you to work on?

Everything, but Coach K always says that he wants me to keep being the person off the court that I am.

A leader.

Yeah, a leader and to hit the books. The rest of it will take care of itself.

How do you account for your popularity among players in your class?

Well, I mean normally I'm a very outgoing guy. I'm just a little down right now, but, you know, normally I like to laugh and I'm always smiling.

Yeah, I know I'm so sorry to be bothering you after this game

No, that's cool. You know you get one life and so you never take anything for granted. I've had a lot of tragedy in my life.

Absolutely.

I'm just trying to have fun and do the best I can.

Are you putting that winning personality to use and recruiting any players to Duke?

Yes (laughs)

All right, which guys?

Tony Parker, Shabazz Muhammad, and Murph.

Alex was watching you play tonight.

Yeah, he's my boy. Them three basically, but I'm happy to recruit anyone else who wants to come. Hopefully, they like what they see normally and want to join me.

I'm sure they can see that you've got very good court vision and get your teammates involved. Thanks a lot for your time tonight. Just finish the season strong.

Absolutely, no doubt. [/private]

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In Depth Interview with Shabazz Muhammad “Coach K lets you have freedom”

SPRINGFIELD, MA - Shabazz Muhammad is a physicaly gifted, 6'6" left-handed junior guard from Las Vegas' Bishop Gorman HS, where he has led the Gaels to back-to-back Nevada State Championships. Yesterday, he faced his toughest competition of the season in Springfield, Massachusetts at the tenth annual Hoop Hall Classic, as he squared off against 6'7" small forward Mike Gilchrist, a future Kentucky Wildcat, and the St. Patrick's Celtics of New Jersey.

Muhammad faced constant ball pressure from 6'3" Dexter Gordon, a very promising Western Kentucky signee, with nearly automatic double-teams every time he touched the ball from the Celtics. Shabazz struggled in the first half (2 for 7 shooting) against their pressure and three quick fouls helped limit him to an abnormally low five points in the first half, but halftime adjustments, including refocusing his mind, utilizing his size and strength advantage over their respective guards, and inflicting his athleticism and aggression on their decision to guard him closely, caused the southpaw to erupt for twenty-three second half points and ignite a Gaels comeback that ultimately was too late. The New Jersey Catholic school team, this year's likely mythical national champion, prevailed 79-63 in front of a national audience on ESPNU and a packed crowd at the birthplace of basketball.

Following the game, Shabazz spoke with Blue Devil Nation about his game against St. Patrick's, what he's looking for in a college program, his immediate impressions from Saturday's trip to Duke University for their game against Virginia, Quinn Cook, and why three schools stand out right now to him.

Let's start off with tonight's matchup with Saint Patrick's. Can you talk about the game in general and the defenses that they threw at you?

Sure, well, first of all, obviously, we played a great team in St. Pat's.

Is this the best team you've seen so far this year?

Yes, definitely, this is the best and I'd have to say by far too. As good an intensity as Saint Pat's brought to the game, we tried to match it and, at first, we just didn't. In the first half, they just beat us on the boards and outmatched us. We've just got to get back to work quickly. We can't accept that.

What second-half adjustments did you make personally? It seemed as though you were far more aggressive against their pressure after the half and you played with, well, more poised aggression. What, if anything, did you see differently?

Yeah, in the first half, I was just kind of pressing, but then I tried to slow the game down in the second half mentally. I tried to wait out my options in the second half and also get my teammates more involved.

Can you talk about the recent visits you've taken?

Yeah, I just took a visit to Duke. It was a nice experience for me, you know[private], talking to Coach K and going into Cameron Indoor.

And have you dealt with UCLA recently as well?

Yeah, I've just been talking with Ben Howland and those guys.

And at Duke you were talking with Coach K primarily?

Well, I was talking with Coach K and Coach Wojo. It was a great time for me there.

What was it like facing off against Mike Gilchrist today?

Oh, it was great going against Mike. He's a tremendous player. He's number one in the country as you saw out there tonight. He's doing really good and he just plays hard all the time. I tried to match his intensity and, you know, he's going to be a great player.

Were you incredibly frustrated with being foul trouble early on? You picked up your third on that drive to the left baseline.

Absolutely, when you're in foul trouble, you have to be frustrated. I just had to get my mind together and then focus clearly in the second half.

Shabazz Muhammad

You started driving a lot more in the second half. Was that to build a comfort level?

Oh, yeah, because in the first half they were kind of pressing up on me. So, in the second half, I just went right at it and took them to the basket. When they changed, I weighed my options and saw what I had to work with.

What do you think you've improved on most since August?

I think it's been my jump shot. I've been really working on that.

Still at Impact Academy?

I haven't been there in awhile, but I plan on going back there this summer to get working.

What did you see Dexter Gordon trying to do to you?

I think he was just trying to press up on me in the first half and go after my handle. In the second half, I just decided I'm going to have to blow past him. I was trying to dribble too much, I think, in the first half. You can't dribble when somebody is pressing up on you. I think I made the right adjustments.

You then tried to take him and Chris Martin (son of former Georgetown Hoya, Bill Martin) down low in the second half as well and get fed on the low left box.

Oh, yeah, that's the good thing about being a 6'6" guard. Other guards are shorter and, so, you can take them inside and really use it against them. Then, if they're around my size, you can take them outside and also use your strength.

How has it been to play with Rashad this year?

Oh, yeah, my brother, well, he's doing really good this year. He's trying to get it together. This was a very hard game for him obviously, but I think he's getting it together.

How did you plan to go after or play Michael Gilchrist.

Well, we all really watched him. We had tape on him and so we all tried to watch him so that we'd be okay with different match-ups. He's just a great player.

When you come to a tournament or showcase like this or City of Palms, do you consciously enter the game or event with a different mentality than a regular season matchup against a league opponent? If so, what do you do differently?

Oh, yeah, absolutely, these guys are way, way better than the guys we usually play back in Nevada so we've got to make that big adjustment. We've got to play intensely right from the start.

In terms of the pre-game at here or the City of Palms, how are you preparing yourself? Watching those guys? Psyching yourself up? Focusing your energy?

Absolutely, we were watching them, but you've got to just focus and go from there.

Now, next week, you'll be matching up with Findlay.

Yen, they're obviously a great team too and I'm going to go watch them and we'll be practicing hard for them this week.

You clearly know Winston (Sheppard) very well. He's one of your best friends and an AAU teammate.

Oh, yeah, I know Winston (laughs) and all those guys very well. It's going to be a great game for us to play in and show that we've improved and for folks to come out and watch.

Was Gilchrist the toughest defender you've faced and, if so, what makes him such a tough defender?

Oh, yeah, he is. I think it's that he just plays each play so hard. He never relents or takes a possession off. His intensity and, I think, his effort or work ethic out there is the difference. He never stops or relents. Other guys do or they burn out quicker.

Evan Daniels: Was that your first game on television?

No, well, it was my first high school game on TV, but I played in that Elite 24 game on TV. I wasn't nervous. I think I just needed to make the adjustments earlier.

ED: How is the recruiting process going?

It's going good. I just visited Duke. Coach K is always a great guy. Talking to Coach Wojo and even talking to some of the players, guys like Kyrie and Nolan. Just talking with all of those guys was a great experience for me.

ED: Was that your first time to Duke?

No, it was my second time.

It seems like you're taking a lot of visits lately. Are there any other ones to know?

I've got one to Kentucky set up. The whole thing with the visits is that I want to make sure I'm making the right choice when it comes down to it.

How close are you, I'm sorry, to a decision?

Probably next year, but you know probably whenever the time feels right, that's when I'll make the decision.

ED: I know you said you had a top three of Duke and who were the other ones?

Oh, Duke, UCLA, and Kentucky, but I didn't mean to say "top three" necessarily. It's just that those three are standing out the most to me right now. They're the ones that are staying in the most contact and pursuing me the hardest right now. That's what I meant. I'll stick with that. The North Carolinas and Louisvilles are definitely not out of it.

What have those three done differently? Are they just on you harder?

I think that's so. That's fair. Just calling and constantly monitoring and checking in with me and my dad. I appreciate it a lot and they're very good about communicating with us.

ED: Now, what about visiting Louisville? I know at one point you were supposed to.

Oh, I already did actually.

ED: What about Carolina? Talk to me about those guys. What do you like about them?

Roy Williams is a great guy and a good coach. Talking to their players, getting feedback on how to play the game. It was a great experience.

ED: Do you see yourself taking another trip back there?

Probably, yeah, I think I am. I mean I've taken two visits there and you can never take too many visits. I'm just trying to do the best I can. I don't have any dates yet. But I'll just have to decide with my dad.

ED: What's keeping them from being in the top three level?

I just think a little bit of communication issues. I'm talking to them, but, with those other three schools, I'm hearing from them all of the time. They're definitely not out though. It's just..

What'll be some of the primary factors in your decision?

The primary factors in my decision? Not location, but just where I fit in and I'll talk to the coaches and the style of play will be a big factor in my decision.

What about the desire to play with other players you feel comfortable with? Does it matter to you? People talk about it all the time, but sometimes it's not a big deal.

Oh, yeah, absolutely. You want to play with other great players or at least guys that care about winning.

Are there any particular players, either in your class or older than you that appeal to you, or that you've thought about playing with?

Well, I mean I've talked to Kyrie and those guys and then today I talked with Mike out on the court.

Yeah, I noticed that.

(Laughing) Yeah, that's my boy, but I'm just talking to guys because I want to play for and win a National Championship. That's what it's about. That's why and what you work for.

So, it's fair to say, winning is very important to you?

Oh, yeah, absolutely.

I just wanted to make absolutely certain that you were quoted correctly about the three schools that were after you hardest. He didn't misquote you or anything? Not Evan, but the other guy, um, Jason.

Yeah, yeah, no, he quoted me correctly, but those are not just the top three. He just wanted to know who was after me hardest.

Yeah, I just wanted to make that absolutely clear with you that you weren't misquoted. Thanks. I happened to speak with Quinn Cook the other day after his game and he said that he was recruiting three guys: you, Alex Murphy, and Tony Parker.

Oh, yeah, Quinn and I talk. He's a great player.

He's a very nice kid too.

Oh, yeah, he is and, as a player, he gets his teammates involved. He's a true point guard. I like him and I like to play with him. We played out at the Boost Mobile 24 game and Adidas Nations. He's a fun guy to be with.

If you could just touch on your trip to Duke a little bit more and what Kyrie and Nolan were talking to you about?

Oh, sure, they were just talking with me about how Coach K lets you have freedom and they were absolutely correct. I was watching it with my own two eyes and they were absolutely correct. They let Nolan have the ball and, since his guy wasn't pressuring him, he just let him take it to him at will. He lets his stars play and, when they make mistakes, he says keep playing and so I mean I like that about them. He's a really good basketball coach and he's a really dedicated coach and he wants to win a lot.

One last thing, is Gilchrist the hardest player you've faced so far?

Yeah, he is because he's got size and now skill combined with amazing intensity. He's going to be a great player for Kentucky and do very well down there.

He'll fit in well in their dribble-drive offense. Thanks a lot for your time, Shabazz.

Oh, yeah, of course, absolutely. Anytime. [/private]

Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Plumlee helps lead Christ Shool past to an 83-47 romp in MLK Classic

GREENSBORO - One thing you can depend on in January is the annual Martin Luther King Classic in Greensboro, North Carolina where high school hoopsters play a day of basketball. 

Christ School came out on fire against Greensboro Day grabbing a 20-6 first quarter lead and they never looked back.  When the dust cleared, Christ School took home an 83-47 win over their in state rival.

The Greenies had a balanced attack led by future Blue Devil Marshall Plumlee, a member of the 2011 recruiting class where he joins Austin Rivers, Michael Gbinije and Quinn Cook.  

Plumlee scored 12 points and he got to the free throw stripe often.  He equaled his point total with 12 rebounds giving him another double-double and dished out 4 assists to go with his 3 steals. 

The man known as Coach K, Mike Krzyzewski, took in the game with assistant coach Nate James and they stayed for the Oak Hill game which featured Plumlees soon to be teammate Quinn Cook.

"Its always an honor when they take the time to come and see me because I know they are busy with their schedule.  I just hope I was able to show him I'm working hard and trying to improve and I'm looking forward to be a part of the Duke program, " said Plumlee after his teams win.

When asked what his goals were for the remainer of the season, Plumlee told BDN, "Not to lose a game.  We want to keep it going and work hard on and off the court."

Christ School and Marshall Plumlee will play Oak Hill and Quinn Cook in Cameron Indoor Stadium this February in a game where the details have yet to be released.

For more on Plumlee and Duke Basketball recruiting, join Blue Devil Nation Premium.

BDN Premium Articles, Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Alex Murphy – “The visit to Duke went great!”

Alex Murphy takes in the action while visiting Duke. BDN Premium has Murph's thoughts on the visit in our latest premium subscriber offering. LKI Images for BDN

The Duke Blue Devils may be in the midst of their basketball season but recruiting never ends and there has been a lot going on around the program of late.  Several  key recruits are in the process of or have already made the journey to Cameron Indoor Stadium to see the Blue Devils in person.  This weekend Duke entertains Shabazz Muhammad and Austin Rivers and that list may not be done just yet.

Last weekend Duke entertained young but talented 2013 prospect Jabari Parker and key target Alex Murphy.  BDN Premium caught up to Murphy before his game this afternoon at Middlesex and got his thoughts on his visit to Cameron and Duke.  Murphy not only has a game tonight but tomorrow as well and then they turn around and play in the Hoop Hall Classic on Sunday in another event BDN Premium will cover live.

The one word which best describes Murphy's visit to Duke is great as you can see.  "Oh, the visit went great.  It was a great weekend down there.  I got there on Saturday night and stayed until Sunday, got to see the game" said Murphy.

Alex had taken some time off with his [private] Father to check out the Blue Devils win over Maryland in an ACC battle.  While he was originally supposed to stay a bit longer and wanted to, inclement weather force them to leave earlier than expected.  "Due to some weather conflicts we had to head out early Monday morning, but like I said the visit was great and while I got to see a little bit of campus during the Tournament of Champions, this time I got to see a game as well," said the St. Mark's marksmen.

Murphy has some familiarity with Duke in that they've zeroed in on the star as a priority need.  When asked if he knew any of the current players Murphy responded, "I know Nolan Smith real well, having met him at the Adidas Nations Camp in Chicago this summer.  And then I got to spend some time with the guys this weekend like Kyrie.  Of course, he is hurt but I did  get to spend some time with him which was cool."

While Murphy may not know a lot of the current players he is getting to know some of the players in Duke's incoming class.  "I know some of the guys coming in next year.  The one I know the most is Quinn Cook and then a couple of other guys too.  I know Marshall Plumlee real well and Austin Rivers too."

Muprhy elaborated more by saying,  "I think it helps when other players going into a program recruit because they already have a feel for the school and the coaches they'll play for.  Just knowing them before you get down there helps.  It's like having a sense of familiarity with them before you get down there.  Of course, Nolan will not be there when I would but getting to know some of the guys I could be teammates with is definitely important."

While his visit was a bit shorter than he wanted, Murphy was still able to get a look around.  "I saw a lot of the stuff that surrounds the game and of course the game itself.  I didn't tour campus or see dorms unfortunately and if the time was there I would have probably stayed on Monday and met with the academic advisers down there.  But for the most part I got to see a lot of basketball related things around campus.  It was really good," stated Murphy.

When asked of his reaction to the Cameron Crazies chanting his name, Murphy said, "In the pre game I was standing right under the basket with Kyrie Irving and the guys behind me were chanting come to Duke and as soon as the game was over, they continued to show love.  I kind of kept my head down but when they cheered my name I looked up and it was kind of cool."

As for his future plans pertaining to Duke and other schools, Alex said, "Yeah, I will return.  Right now I have no set plans for getting back down there or any other school but I will definitely take my chances and go to some other schools but I will be back there at some point and time."

Recap - We kept the conversation brief and to the point in that Andre Slater will cover Murphy during the Hoop Hall this weekend.  Murphy was kind enough to give BDN his initial thoughts on the visit despite his upcoming game.  He seemed genuinely happy with how the visit went and it is no secret Duke is one of, if not the leader for his services. This was of course and unofficial visit in that he is just a junior.  It's getting hot around BDN Premium, so stay tuned for more information coming your way in droves over the next several days.[/private]