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Mitch McGary: Energy and Effort Personified

Mitch McGary, BDN Photo

Each year, there is, at least, one fresh face that demands attention be paid to him through unexpectedly good play in the AAU season. A player will seemingly come out of nowhere and vault to the front of his class. Some attribute this novelty to being a "late bloomer," an improved work ethic, coming from an underreported community, fruits finally being born from the labor of hard work, or a late growth spurt. Two years ago, the player was Kyrie Irving. Anthony Davis was last year's primary example. This year, Mitch McGary of Brewster Academy is on the short list of everybody's favorite player in 2012. The Chesterton, Indiana native has transformed his body, his low-post game, and his commitment to academics to such a degree that he's now capable of being recruited by all of the major college basketball powers.

McGary has become the poster child for the benefits of New England prep school basketball. It's rustic locations, small college-quality facilities, low teacher-to-student ratios, high-caliber coaching, and the most talent-rich leagues in the country have caused players to gravitate to these New England powers from around the country.

These past four months, the social big man has enjoyed both individual success, including at the NBA 100 Camp and LeBron James Skills Academy, and, while playing for SYF AAU program, team success, including winning the recent NY2LA Summer Jam in suburban Milwaukee.

Recently, Mitch received new offers, including one from Duke University. He spoke again with Blue Devil Nation about a variety of topics, including the influence of sneaker companies, his metamorphosis at Brewster from vocally supportive sixth man to being one of the most sought after recruits in the country, and whether he's looking for more of a buddy or an adult figure in his college head coach.

How do you feel your summer's going?
It's going good. I'm honored to be here and all of the other camps, like the Amar'e camp. I feel like I'm going against the best of the best between here and the NBA Top 100 camp, so it's been good so far.

Can you talk about going from being a Big Ten prospect...highly regarded, but maybe not on this level...to being considered arguably the most dominant big guy in your class? You're sort of in the middle of it, but what's going through your mind about that right now
It's been pretty cool. I mean, my overall improvement on and off the court, making me more mature and responsible, I think the transition to Brewster. It's been 100% percent improvement.

[private]
You're like the poster child for the Brewster program.
(laughs) Yeah, just moving out there really helped me a lot. I mean, that's all I've got to say, pretty much. Coach Jason Smith does a great job with us out there. From an academic standpoint, the teachers do a great job out there, too. 

(Mike "Peegs" Pegram) Have you been home for a while?
I've been home for a month on-and-off, between the camps and stuff.

(Mike "Peegs" Pegram) Have your old high school buddies noticed any changes?
Um, yeah, but I haven't really played with them yet. When I come home, I usually play, but this time they noticed I was a little bit taller, a little bit more cut, a little more defined, they noticed my body. They said it's incredible, the transition. (laughs)

(Mike "Peegs" Pegram) Are you talking about guys or girls?
Both (laughs). I love it when we're playing together and they say I'm a lot stronger than I used to be. Girls like it, I guess, too. 

Has this been a fun process or stressful?
Yeah, it's been fun overall. I mean I'm honored that I went to Brewster and, even though I had to leave my hometown high school, which was tragic for me and stuff... You know growing up there and giving up all of my friends and family. I thought it was something I had to do. I had to make a choice. I had some consequences before that and I just had to turn my life around, I guess, start being mature. 

How did your trip to Michigan go the other day?
Oh, it went great. I liked the coaches. I see Coach Meyer over there with that yellow and blue jumpsuit. It's cool. I like him. He's a great big man coach. I talked to all of the coaches there and they really want me. There's a rumor that it's between me and Gary Harris, whoever commits first, but we may have to wait and see and see how everything plays out. 

In terms of a timeline, if this were a baseball game, how far along do you think you are in your recruitment?
You mean before I commit? I mean I'll probably commit before the season starts.. so whatever that is (laughs)

Whatever that is.. It seems like you're tied in with Gary Harris for some schools. Have you guys talked about that?
Yeah, I mean, a little bit. I mean, he knows what's up. How's it going, G? (shakes hands with Gary Harris)

(Mike "Peegs" Pegram) Purdue and Indiana, where do they stand?
I mean, a little bit, right now. I mean, everyone wants to go hometown state, but I mean, I won't say they're out of the picture, but they're kind of on the bottom part of my list. I'm wide open to everybody, but they're just kind of on the bottom of it. Just because they haven't been talking to me lately and stuff. I mean, they're still in contact. I just don't think that they're going to be right there.

Can you talk about that list that you're going to be coming out with? 
Yeah, I'm coming out with a list next month with my AAU coach.

How big will this list be? 5 schools? 10?
It'll probably be about 10. 

How has this camp gone and what have you learned about yourself?
It's gone good. Pretty much every top player from every AAU team is here. It helps you measure out your strengths and weaknesses and how well you're matching up against the other big-time players.

What kind of guy is toughest for you to defend?
Jarnell Stokes. He's like a Coke machine with legs. (laughs)

You did well against him tonight, you got him on a few plays.
Yeah, I felt happy with it. I mean I probably have a little weight on him. I may not look it cause I'm a little leaner, but I'm about 260 and he's probably about 250.
Yeah, he only had that one fadeaway over you.
Yeah, he only had that one, but he's tough. I mean, overall, I think Julius Randle would've been the hardest guy for me to defend here, but he's on my team, fortunately.

(Mike "Peegs" Pegram) What's going on for you in July after this?
The Super Showcase in Kansas City.

Did you talk to any of the college guys at all?
Yeah, I talked to Thomas Robinson, T-Rob, he's kind of like a big brother to me. He went to Brewster. I talk to him a lot, not just about Kansas, but about the whole recruiting process. He wants me to go to Kansas and stuff, and that worked for him, but it's just like he taught me a lot about the recruiting process..who to trust and stuff like that. And so he's been good to me, I like him. 

Can you talk about keeping the passionate mentality and always being supportive of your teammates, as you were on the bench at Brewster, while now being the team's resident star? Staying vocal out here...I frankly wondered if you'd change.
Yeah, I mean once you make it to the collegiate level… let alone whoever makes it to the NBA, you're going to have to talk. Like we were watching LeBron play and he was non-stop talking. I mean, if you want to be the best that you can be for you and your team, being vocal out there is a key.

Touch on the importance of being vocal, in terms of leadership.
Yeah, absolutely, it is. It's really good for leadership. I guess I wasn't really like the talkative kid growing up. I was just the goofy kid, but I had a loud mouth so, you know, it just stayed with me I guess.

Well, I mean you've got a lot of energy..
Yeah, yeah, absolutely

Not just here... At Brewster and with SYF too
Yeah, yeah..I mean also wear the arm sleeve and the headband too. I mean I could probably break it out (laughs) next weekend or something

No, no, that's all right. (laughs)
I can do it next week if that's something that you want (laughs)

No, no, that's okay.
No, but I think it really just rolled over. I like being the real leader, even if I'm probably the biggest dude on the court. I mean I guess I've always grown up as the biggest kid and being the real leader among all of my friends and family.

Beats having to learn how to fight because you're not 6'10"
(laughs) Yeah, well, My parents wanted me to be a good leader and I guess it just carried over. I mean, we just beat the number one team, so that was great. I guess that means it's a good day.

Talk about being a good teammate. I had talked to some of your teammates both at Brewster and SYF. They both really raved about you, but what do you hope your teammates say about you when you walk away?
I hope that they think that I play really hard and with a lot of heart and passion. I hope they like playing with me and that I have a lot of heart, like I said. Overall, that I'm just a worker and that I'm just the hardest worker on the floor.

Some of them have said that, you don't have to worry.
(laughs)

What are you looking for on your visits?
Mostly, first of all, I want to find a great head coach that'll take me in like his own son.

That was one thing I wanted to touch on. Are you looking for more of a buddy-coach or an adult figure? Because some guys are looking for one or the other...
Oh, definitely an adult.
Because some guys were just looking for a friend or something.
Oh, yeah, I know, but I just want someone who's going to encourage me and teach me. I'm willing to learn, so... The greatest players are always going to need a coach and be able and willing to learn.

Back to the visits, what else are you looking for?
Basically, some colleges most guys that are there like the names and stuff. And the schools I've already been to, I already knew the players there. I'm always interested in speaking to the players because the coaches don't necessarily always speak the truth, but the players are going to speak the truth to you. They'll tell you things that you wouldn't otherwise find out til you get there. There are things that the coaches might not tell you before you get there. I want to actually know some of the players that go there. You know, like with Michigan, one of my good friends Zack Novak..

He's from your hometown.
Yeah, he is. I'm really good friends with him and he speaks the truth about coaches at Michigan and like truthfully, how the coaches are to deal with.

In terms of that list that you were mentioning before, who's going to help you make it more manageable? Your dad?
Yeah, my AAU coach and my dad.

This is a sort of Kyrie Irving type question, but you've sort of come out of nowhere and you sort of moved up the rankings steadily and ultimately came up very high. Do you think you were always this good and nobody noticed or do you think you've gotten considerably better in an extremely short period of time or a mixture?
(laughs) It might have been a mixture, I mean, everybody on my AAU team is one of the best players on their high school team, but at Brewster I wasn't the best player. I guess that encouraged me to get a lot better.

I mean, you guys were stacked though.
Yeah, I know. I just had to transform my body and stuff and work on my skills. I guess everything turned good. That's a good question.

This is one I've never asked a player on the record before, but I've always been curious about-- what kind of impact do the sneaker companies have over you and do you honestly care what sneaker of the program that you ultimately choose is?
I mean I don't care. I've always worn Nike growing up, but, at Brewster, I'm Adidas and my AAU team just got signed with Under Armor. I don't really care.

That's exactly why I was asking because you're with all three of the major sneaker companies.
Yeah, I don't really care, as long as the shoe fits and supports me, I'll run with it. I don't care how it looks.

Who are some of the assistants or head coaches that you've enjoyed talking to?
Rick Pitino, when he was at Florida... I should say Richard Pitino. Now that he's at Louisville, I've lost touch with him. I like him a lot. And I like Coach Book.

Yeah, he's from my area. He used to be with the Gauchos and now he's at Arizona.
Yeah, exactly. And I also like Coach Ogden of Texas. Those three are probably my favorite and Coach Meyer from Michigan too.

Have you seen any ACC schools? Do you have any visits planned?
Hopefully, Duke and North Carolina. I'm not really sure when, though.

Will that come after July probably?
Yeah, probably. Yeah, after the AAU thing. North Carolina offered me so I probably have to go down for an unofficial.

Has Duke offered you?
I'm not sure quite yet, Coach K called.

They're clearly watching you.
Oh, yeah, I noticed.

Thank you very much, Mitch.
Oh, no problem.
[/private]

BDN Premium Articles, Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Jahlil Okafor: Focused and Friendly Chicagoland Big Man

Jahlil Okafor BDN Photo

"For of those to whom much is given, much is required"
-President John F. Kennedy

Jahlil Okafor is a 6'10" rising sophomore from the North Side of Chicago. In the Gold Medal game of the 16U FIBA Americas, the fifteen year-old was perfect from the floor and finished with eighteen points and fourteen rebounds against Argentina. This was the culmination of months of preparation. Okafor had spent countless hours refining his low-post skills and shedding some baby fat in order to be able to both make the final cut and ultimately contribute to the USA 16s team.

Although one of the youngest members of the team, Jahlil wound up finishing second on the team in rebounds (9.2 rpg) and third in points (14.6 ppg), while leading the team in shooting, both free throw (82.6%) and field goal (71%). His Mac Irvin teammate and friend, FIBA Americas MVP Jabari Parker, was on hand to celebrate the moment with him on the court in Mexico.

Okafor had a solid freshman year on the varsity team at Whitney Young, a magnet school that is the alma mater of First Lady Michelle Obama, the NBA veteran Quentin Richardson, and the directors of the Matrix, the Wachowski brothers. Jahlil was reportedly offered a scholarship to DePaul as an eighth grader at Rosemont Elementary School by their former interim coach, Tracy Webster. Since then, Okafor, a passionate Bulls fan, has received college scholarship offers from high-major programs across the country.

In late May, the decision was made to advance the fifteen year-old Jahlil to Mac Irvin's 17U team in order to give more of a post presence for Nike's EYBL wing in Los Angeles. Like a duck taking to water, he was a natural in his game against the physical 6'8" senior Elijah Macon and All-Ohio Red. His advanced footwork, size, and developing low-post game have helped him hold his own against significantly older players at the LeBron James Skills Academy and the Peach Jam.

After losing his mother in the third grade, the focused and gregarious big man has been raised by his father Chukwudi "Chuck" Okafor and helped out by his aunt, Dr. Chinyere Okafor-Conley, an assistant principal at Penn Elementary School in Chicago. Education is a major point of emphasis in the family and was the primary factor in Jahlil's decision to select the academically challenging school, Whitney Young.

At various Nike EYBL events throughout this AAU season and at the recent LeBron James Skills Academy, Jahlil spoke with Blue Devil Nation.

What was it like playing LeBron James?
It was a great experience. I've been watching LeBron since I was a little kid. It was a really cool experience to be able to play with him. I couldn't believe I was on his team. I got to play with LeBron and Jabari Parker was on my team, too, so that was good.

What were your hopes for USA Basketball and how did you prepare?
I couldn't wait. That was like my hope for the whole year. That's like all I was thinking about every time I'd work out, you know. Just getting ready for the USA team. It's been very important to me. I wanted to represent for the US and be a part of it.

How was your USA Basketball experience?
It was a lot of talent and we pretty much knew everybody. It was fun to come together though. We were together for a few weeks.

Can you talk about training camp, making the team, and that whole experience?
It was very intense. It was pretty hard. There were a lot of emotions. We pretty much had to fight through it. When I finally made the team, I was just so excited. I was really happy. I called my dad first to tell him about it. It was very emotional. When I made the cut, I was really happy.
[private]

Yeah, I was really happy for you when I saw your name was on the list.
Thank you, thank you.

What was it like when you finally won the Gold Medal?
It was just great. We were practicing for, like, two and a half weeks and we kept trying to focus on getting that gold medal. We'd end every practice talking about it. It was even better than we expected.

And you guys were bonding.
Yeah, that was great. We became real close.

Where did you put the Gold Medal, by the way?
(laughs) Well, right now, I think it's in my room, but it's going to get framed.
That'll be really nice.
Yeah.

How have you enjoyed the experience of playing with Jabari, both for Mac Irvin and on the USA team? He's been tremendous on the AAU and camp circuit. Then, he won the FIBA MVP down in Mexico.
Playing with Jabari is great. He makes the game a lot easier. He's a great scorer and a lot of people don't know this, but he's also a great passer. He makes it so easy for you on the break. He's got great court vision.

He's so versatile, too.
Yeah, he is.

Do you feel you've grown as a person, travelling abroad with USA Basketball and experiencing what you have?
Oh, yeah, I think I've gotten way more mature. My leadership is definitely better. I'm talking more with people out on the court in general.

What did you see when you went down to Mexico? Did you get to see any of the country or did you not have an opportunity?
I saw Chichen Itza.

Oh, yeah, Jabari mentioned that, too. He thought it was the highlight for him.
Yeah, it was for me too off the court, but other than that, we didn't get to see too much off the court. We mostly concentrated on basketball.

What part of Chicago are you from, by the way?
Oh, I'm from the North Side. Yeah, I'm a North Side guy.

When you're playing in front of coaches, what kind of emotions go through you? Are you excited? Nervous?
Well, playing in front of coaches is not too big for me. I try not to get too emotional one way or the other. I've been doing this for a number of years. I try not to get affected by it too much. I feel like I pretty much know that it's just basketball. I've just got to go out there and perform.

What are you trying to show college coaches this summer?
Mostly, I want to show them that I can post up and that I'm one of the more dominant big men in the country.

For those that may not know, what's your current size?
I'm 6'10" right now and about 250 to 255.

What are you projected to be?
Oh, 7'2."

What position do you like to play?
Well, I'm more of a four, but I can play the four and the five.

You feel that you're more of a natural four.
Yeah, I like the four more because they let move around a little more.
You've got pretty good footwork for a guy your size and age.
Yeah, thanks.

What about the experience playing now with the seventeens for Mac Irvin? How much of a jump do you feel it's been from the other age brackets?
Oh, yeah, it's totally different. I'm fifteen now and I was playing the 16s, but this is at a completely other level. It's so much faster and guys are stronger down low.
I was going to check you out in Dallas, but you were playing with the 16s in a different area.
Oh, yeah. I played well, but, with the 17s, everything is much faster and you can't take any plays off. You have to sprint every time.

You play in a great high school league in Chicago, but how does that compare with what you've faced today?
I think playing 17s in AAU is harder than high school because, in AAU, it's like all of the players are really good at their high school instead of facing just one or two.

What kind of an adjustment did you have to make when you were promoted to the 17s?
Not that much. My coach just said to make my game faster. So, I tried to step up and do that.

What so view as your strengths right now?
My strengths are being able to post up, but I can face up..My body, my height, and my actual strength..I can take a lot.
It looks like you have the frame to really hold a lot of muscle.
Yeah, I think so.

What do you consider your weakness?
My weaknesses are probably staying in shape. I always need to stay on top of that.

How do you try to combat that? How do you plan on staying in shape during the downtimes this summer?
I was playing with the Olympic team this summer. I tried to get my body in shape before we headed down there.

Are you going on treadmills? Running? Spinning?
I've got two trainers. One works on my basketball skills and the other one works on my core and my flexibility.

That's a good approach. Who's recruiting you at this point? Are there any new schools that have expressed interest in you that haven't offered yet? I have to make sure I cover my bases.
Oh yeah, sure, I understand.My scholarship offers are from Illinois, DePaul, Michigan State, and Arkansas. Ohio State just offered me. I've talked to UConn, Georgetown, Syracuse, and North Carolina... and Kansas. I'm supposed to take a visit there, but I'm not sure when. And Syracuse has shown an interest.

Has Duke recruited you at all yet?
No, not yet.

Is distance going to be a factor for you?
Oh, no, no. I'll go anywhere. It doesn't matter to me.

Have you taken any visits recently or do you have any plans other than Kansas?
I'm supposed to visit Ohio State, Illinois, and Kansas before the end of summer.

What are your goals next year for Whitney Young?
Our only goal next season is to simply win the state championship. Last year, we lost in the sectionals to Farragut and that was disappointing.
We'll forget about that.
(laughs)

What are your goals for this summer?
My main goal was to make the final cut for the Olympic team. That was my number one priority. After that, my next goal is to help us win the Peach Jam.
Well, I think you've got a shot at both of those things.
Yes, sir.

Can you talk about playing with some of your high school teammates on your AAU team?
Oh, yeah, it's great to play with guys like Jermaine Morgan, Thomas Hamilton, and Derrick Randolph. Those three guys really help me out a lot.

Who are you closest to?
Jermaine Morgan and Thomas Hamilton. Those two are like my two older brothers.

How did you choose Whitney Young?
Well, in seventh grade, before I knew they even had a good basketball team, I knew I wanted to go there because of the academics.

I'm from New York, but I know that Whitney Young's a magnet school academically.
Yeah, even if the basketball team wasn't any good, I would've gone there regardless.

That's interesting. Are you a good student or pretty good?
Yeah, I'm pretty good.

What type of style of play do you think best suits you?
It doesn't matter, but I think I'm a little more effective if we can slow it down a bit and let me post up.

Do you have a go-to move at this point?
I usually spin a lot and sometimes it works. (laughs)

Are you able to work out at all between these AAU events to work on skill development?
Yeah, I definitely try to get it in. I've had to miss some AAU practices cause I feel like I can grow more if I work out individually with a trainer. I feel like it benefits me sometimes more.

Is there a guy that you try to model your game after?
Jared Sullinger.

Did you have a dream school growing up?
No, I didn't.

What about an NBA team?
Oh, definitely, the Bulls. The Chicago Bulls..I love them.

How'd you feel about their year this year?
Well, I think they surprised a lot of people. I mean nobody expected Derrick Rose to be MVP. I mean nobody expected them to be in the conference finals and so they accomplished that and I think they have a great future.

I think they've got a good shot over the next couple of years, if things break right.
Yeah, so do I.

Do you know Theo Pinson pretty well now?
Oh, yeah, definitely.

How would you assess your defense at this point?
I feel I'm playing pretty well on defense at this point. I like my effort and I guess, for the most part, the results. I'm definitely trying out there.

Can you give a scouting report on Jabari Parker? You've played with him in AAU and against him in high school. What's the best defense against him?
Well, in the past, I would've said to make him shoot, but he's improved so much in the last year. I think he's one of the most unguardable players out here. I mean he's been a great teammate, but he's really stepped up his game and his body. He can beat you inside with his moves or athleticism and now outside with size and shooting. He can really run the court.

Are you related to Emeka Okafor?
Yeah, distant.

For your big decisions in life, who do you turn to for guidance?
Probably my dad and my high school coaches.

Is your dad here?
Yeah.

Can you talk about the rise of Chicago? A lot of people are talking about the rise of Chicago for the 2013 and 2014 classes on a national scale.
We have a bunch of players coming out, yeah. I think our top two players are also top ten in the country. 2013 class is very good to with Jabari Parker, Thomas Hamilton, and Kendrick Nunn. Jabari Parker and Kendrick Nunn are two of the best players in the state and they're both going to be playing for USA. We have four players from Chicago on the USA team.

Is one of your goals to eventually be the #1 player in your class?
Oh, yeah, definitely. I want to try to be that.

Who are some people that you're close with nationally that people might be surprised about?
Right, I'm really friends with Theo Pinson. Do you know him?
Yeah, and I like his dad, too.
Oh yeah, he's real cool. I'm real cool with Theo and Ishmail Wainright. I'm also close with Dakari Johnson.

Going forward with Dakari (Johnson), is it friendly or is it a rivalry?
Well, I consider it both. We've known each other since about third grade.

Well, you two are two of the best players and big men in your class.
Yeah, they naturally compare us. It's a friendly rivalry.

Who's going to be your toughest competition next year in high school?
I've got to say Simeon. They're going to be tough. They're loaded.

How did you guys do against them this year?

We went 1-1. The first game they beat us, the second game we beat them at the end. The first game we played them at DePaul and the second game we played them right around where we're from.

Who's the best player you've faced?
Well, LeBron, but..

Alright, other than LeBron?
Oh, then Thomas Hamilton.

Oh, Tommy Hamilton. What do you feel you've gained this summer through your various experiences that you can bring to Whitney Young?
First of all, my condition is really better.
Yeah, I saw you running the court out there a lot better than you did in the past.
Yeah, I'm also more of a vocal leader now and also my defense is better.

Are you guys going to be on TV this year so people can catch you?
Yeah, we've actually got a couple of games on TV, not sure when though.

What would you like the audience to know about you away from the court?
I'm just a humble guy. Modest…very modest. That's it.

Thanks a lot, Jahlil, and good luck.
Sure, thank you. [/private]

Duke Basketball

BDN Monday Musings – Happy Independence Day!

Plumlee from NC Pro Am, Rick Crank for BDN

Firstly, Happy Independence Day Blue Devil Nation!  We've taken it easy around here this holiday weekend in order to recharge our batteries for what will be a busy month.  BDN has a long track record of covering all of the major recruiting events to bring you our always dependable coverage which has set the standard for all who cover the Blue Devils. The basketball coaches are allowed on the road in July and they'll be putting in a lot of  miles in the air while narrowing down who they'll continue to recruit.

The North Carolina Pro Am is underway as well with the action getting going again this Thursday.  BDN was in attendance for the opening session which featured Nolan Smith rocking his newly fitted Portland Blazers shorts.  The only active Duke player there was Mason Plumlee, who dropped 24 points, almost all on dunks helping his team shake off a 5 point half time deficit to win by 18.  There may or may not be a lot of players there this week, but you can bet that the following week will be quite interesting.  BDN has a long history of NC Pro Am coverage, so bookmark us now.

There has been a bevy of new Duke Football verbals of late where Coach David Cutcliffe and his staff are filling their needs at breakneck pace.  Be sure to check out our football recruiting coverage which is making waves of late.  Duke kicks off their season in 61 days against Richmond.  BDN will cover pre season practices in August, so stay tuned for weekly reports from camp.  Coach Cutcliffe also announced some changes to football staff this past week.

 

At the end of the month, I head to the ACC Football Kickoff event in Pinehurst, North Carolina.  There, I will predict the conference standings and first two All ACC teams.  I'm already settled in with most of my predictions but there are some key battles for a couple of All ACC spots.  Speaking of key battles, I am really looking forward to the Oklahoma at Florida State game on September the 17th for a Nole upset would be a huge boost for the conference.  The Noles are my clear pick for first in the Atlantic Division.

After an untimely and serious eye injury, former Duke standout Jon Scheyer is joining Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel.  This team is of course a big time European League power where Scheyer will get plenty of exposure, much like former Blue Devil Trajan Langdon who recently retired from CSKA Moscow who made the All Decade Team. 

In the "In case you missed it," department, check out this article former Duke great, Dick Groat.  I remember his jersey hanging in Cameron Indoor Stadium when it was still called Duke Indoor Stadium back in the day.  Is this where I enter my "Everything was better back in the day," schtick?  Seriously, Groat was a phenomenal baseball player with the Pittsburgh Pirates and a hoops legend in the fifties while at Duke.  I always thought to myself, "Man that jersey looks small," but a look at Groats accomplishments makes me realize that it must have been an optical illusion.

One thing for certain is that players need to be careful in certain settings these days.  Social Media has opened up a venue for their thoughts to be read by all.  The problem is that some fans or say twitter followers, indeed have their own agenda and some are just plain whack.  Kyrie Irving is the latest victim in that he has quite the stalker who seems more than just a little intent on causing the top draft pick some trouble.  Check out this link where Adam Zangoria offers his two cents and be careful what you think is factual.  Again, social media has created a forum which flat out obsessed people can attempt to harass you and yes, even I have been a victim of this.