We've been taking care of business behind the scenes and working on a few technical issues, but AAU coverage and more will be back later this evening, so please check back in. Until then, here is our picture of the day which features Vince Taylor, Coach Mike Krzyzewski and Gene "Tinkerbell" Banks.
I had the opportunity to speak with former Duke All American and College Player of the Year Jason Williams yesterday afternoon. Jason is participating as a coach in the annual Coach K Academy where he'll test his x's and o's skills against former Duke Basketball greats.
We are making this interview available to give you an idea of the audio you'll find in Blue Devil Nation Premium featuring current, former players and prospects. Jason talked of the event, broadcasting and much more.
So, sit back and enjoy the latest from Jason Williams on BDN audio. Also, be sure to listen to what Coach K had to say in our previous feature.
Incoming freshman Ryan Kelly arrives at Duke with very good credentials. Most recently, he won the three point shooting contest at the 2009 McDonald’s All-American game. Being a 6′10″ forward with the ability to stretch defenses with a reliable jumper is definitely a plus. As a high school senior, Kelly led Ravenscroft to the NCISAA Championship game where the Ravens lost to Mason Plumlee and Christ School. Kelly scored 14 points in the game and was named to the All-State team. Last summer, as a member of the U18 National Team, Kelly started all five games averaging 8.6 points and 7.4 rebounds per game in helping the USA win the Silver Medal in Formosa, Argentina.
Timing could be perfect for Kelly as Duke will be short on guards this coming season forcing Coach Krzyzewski to play a larger line-up. Common speculation is Kyle Singler will be spending significant time at small forward, which will open the opportunity for Ryan Kelly to earn playing time in the power forward slot. Due to his perimeter skills, it is possible Kelly could see some minutes at small forward.
Kelly is often compared to former Blue Devil great Mike Dunleavy. Dunleavy averaged 9.1 points in 24 minutes per game as a freshman. Similar stats from Kelly would go a long way in boosting front court scoring for Duke. Over the past three seasons, front court scoring has been one dimensional for the Blue Devils. In 2007, Josh McRoberts averaged 13 ppg with Lance Thomas and Brian Zoubek contributing 4 ppg and 3.1 ppg respectively. In 2008, Kyle Singler averaged 13.3 ppg with Thomas and Zoubek chipping in 4.3 and 3.8. It was the same in 2009 as Singler averaged 16.5 with Thomas and Zoubek adding 5.3 and 4.1.
In 2009-10, Ryan Kelly represents a potential legitimate second scoring option in the front court alongside Kyle Singler. In a past BDN article, Tom Konchalski, editor of High School Basketball Insider Report, described Kelly, “Ryan has so much more fluidity to his game…He’s got nearly a perfect skill set for a guy 6 9…He’s a step out four man, who has very good skills.” In a BDN interview last December, Mark Watson asked Ryan if the Duke staff had told Kelly to work on any part of his game. Kelly responded, “Yeah…continue to work on my defense. They want me to be able to guard smaller players out front.”
That response provides a nice segue to discussing defense. Duke is known for their pressure man-to-man defense and to earn playing time players must be able to defend “Duke style.” While Kelly has impressive offensive skills, the question on informed minds is can Kelly play ACC level defense as a freshman? Is he strong enough to defend power forwards? Does he possess the lateral quickness to defend on the wing?
The answers to those questions will determine how much time Ryan Kelly spends on the court this coming season. The Blue Devils need front court scoring and Ryan Kelly has the potential to score points, but it will be his defensive abilities that earn him the opportunity to show the Cameron Crazies he has the right stuff.
Sources close to the situation have told the Blue Devil Nation that Duke star Gerald Henderson has signed with Arn Tellem and that he will remain in the 2009 NBA Draft. Henderson leaves Duke after a successful junior season where he helped lead his team to an ACC Championship averaging 16.7 ppg. The Blue Devil Nation wishes Gerald the very best and will follow his progress in the future.
The Duke Men's Basketball Awards Banquet was held this past Friday evening in Cameron Indoor Stadium and serves as a season ending celebration. For those in attendance there is that feeling of being a part of the team as you listen the seniors give emotional and personal speeches. The voice of the Blue Devils, Bob Harris, got the evening started and he soon gave way to Athletic Director Kevin White.
White made it quite clear that Mike Krzyzewski had been a big factor when he interviewed for the job and ultimately left Notre Dame. It was clear that White realized K's accomplishments as he presented him with the Amos Alonzo Stagg trophy.
Krzyzewski took to the podium, where he acknowledged appreciation for the crowd that gathered and looked out adoringly to his family, introducing each and every one in one fell swoop. His family has always played a big role in the awards banquets, coming up with themes and video highlights features for the seniors and assigning each their own individual song.
Just in front of Krzyzewski's table sat the 2009 Atlantic Coast Conference Champions trophy and he let everybody know of how proud he was of that accomplishment. We should all recognize that Duke won thirty games against a schedule ranked number one in the RPI and that, when the chips were down after a loss to Boston College, masterful adjustments led to the ACC crown and a number two seed in the NCAA Tournament.
This was, after all, a new staff with the addition of Nate James and the departure of Johnny Dawkins to Stanford. Not only did Dawkins leave, but so did Mike Scragge, the head of basketball operations. K's son-in-law, Chris Spatola, took over that job and Chris Carrawell came aboard as well and both may be in line to coach one day.
The point is that Duke persevered by making changes before and after the season. With a team that had no dominant center and a point guard by committee, this w,as in my opinion, one of Coach K and his staff's finer jobs. Had the average fan been given the opportunity to take the aforementioned thirty wins, ACC title and Sweet 16 going into this season, I'm pretty sure they would have said, fine by me.
But Krzyzewski knows that it takes players to perform and he was quick to thank them for the experience of coaching them and this was genuine adoration, not just coach-speak. He then gave way to his assistant coaches who handed out individual awards where Jon Scheyer, Kyle Singler and Gerald Henderson were named MVP's.
Coach Collins was his perpetually exuberant self as he handed out each award, and Wojo limped to the stage on a crutch due to recently suffering an ACL injury in a pick-up game. Nate James made his first appearance and some of the players mentioned how good it was to have a guy like him around. Heck, Coach K even called him "Nate Dogg," as the crowd let out laughter.
But despite funny cracks all the way around, it may have been Marty Pocius who stole the show. He alluded to the fact that his first roommate left for Arizona State and then his second to California and wondered out loud, is it me? He then mentioned that both went a long way west to get away. Pocius then stated that he was assigned a walk-on for a roommate the next season.
Marty also joked of his language curve and how hard it was for a Lithuanian to learn English. "I'd be sitting around in the locker room and be listening to a joke and everybody would start laughing. By the time I caught up with it and laughed they had moved on to the next joke."
After each senior spoke, Krzyzewski would finish up with some comments and introduce the next one in line. When he came to Dave McClure, he stated that he just got a text from Matt Christensen with his well wishes. This again brought a laugh from the crowd for Christensen had a longer stint at Duke than, well, anybody. McClure's injuries made it seem like he was here for almost as long. Even Pocius jokingly referred to him as "Uncle McClure."
But when Dave was at the podium flashbacks of one of the most selfless players in Duke history filled my head. They, of course, showed that awesome shot to win the game versus Clemson a bit later in his tribute video.
When it was time for Greg Paulus to have his turn, Krzyzewski showed the highest admiration, reminiscing on when he recruited him and how tough he was. While he certainly didn't mention some of his detractors, he made sure that all knew that during Greg's four years that Duke went 112-28, which averaged out to 28 wins a season.
Paulus was grateful for the comments and walked off the round stage with the dignity of a champion, an ACC Champion. It's not often that a three year starter can accept a new role for the betterment of his team, and Paulus gave his heart and soul to Duke during his four years.
During some of the awards, a hoot or holler if you will, rang out for Gerald Henderson to stay. But those in the know realized that the talented "G" or Hendo was just hours before he was to announce that he would be entering the NBA Draft.
I suppose some would have liked to hear a farewell speech from Gerald, but this night is traditionally set aside for seniors. While I certainly hope Henderson will return, my sources say he is likely gone and Duke fans should not hold that against him for he served the royal blue well.
Maybe that's why Krzyzewski didn't really talk as much about next season as he has in past events, but maybe he just wanted these kids to enjoy their championship. Before the hall of fame coach made his final trip to the podium, the 2009 Atlantic Coast Conference Champions banner fell from above and K stood under it to applause from the diehard fans who were there.
He then called his team up and, once they settled together, the championship trophy was hoisted high by Brian Zoubek as the circular stage turned so all the crowd could see. It was a proud moment for all and the smiling faces of the players, the fans and family alike is what makes this event special. Quite simply, it was a celebration of accomplishments, and the history books will always have Duke crowned the 2009 ACC Champs.
Men's Banquet Photo Gallery is located in the menu to your right.
2008-09 Duke Men's Basketball Award Winners (courtesy GoDuke.com)
Swett-Baylin Award (Most Valuable Player): Gerald Henderson, Jon Scheyer, Kyle Singler
Dr. Deryl Hart Award (Top Scholar-Athlete): Greg Paulus
Glenn E. "Ted" Mann, Jr., Award (Reserve Contributing Most to Team Morale): Elliot Williams
Coach's Award (Player Exemplifying the Commitment and Values of Duke Basketball): Lance Thomas
Iron Dukes Award (Most Minutes Played): Jon Scheyer
Bill Krzyzewski Captains' Awards: Gerald Henderson, Greg Paulus, Jon Scheyer
Best Field Goal Percentage Award: Gerald Henderson
Best Rebounding Average Award: Kyle Singler
Best Free Throw Percentage Award: Jon Scheyer
Most Assists Award: Jon Scheyer
Best Defensive Player Award: Gerald Henderson
Gopal Varadhan Senior Manager Award: Joey McMahon, Griffin Tormey
Harry Rainey Spirit Award: Elise Rose
Charles Hogan Memorial Band Award: John Roelofs
DURHAM, N.C. – The trio of Gerald Henderson, Jon Scheyer and Kyle Singler shared the Swett-Baylin Award for Most Valuable Player at the annual Duke Men’s Basketball banquet on Friday night in Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Henderson, a Wooden Award All-America and first team All-ACC choice, also received the Bill Krzyzewski Captains’ Award, True Blue Award for most charges drawn (20), the Best Field Goal Percentage (.450) and Best Defensive Player.
Scheyer, the ACC Tournament MVP, also received the Bill Krzyzewski Captains’ Award, the Iron Duke Award for most minutes played (1,214), the Best Free Throw Percentage (.836) and the Most Assists (102). He has recorded the best free throw percentage in all three of his seasons at Duke.
Singler, a second team All-ACC selection and 2K Sports Classic MVP, had the Best Rebounding Average with 7.7 rebounds per game. It is the second straight season he has posted the top rebounding average.
Senior Greg Paulus was named an Academic All-America for the second straight year and received the Dr. Deryl Hart Award as the top scholar-athlete. He has been named the top scholar athlete in each of the last two seasons. He also received the Bill Krzyzewski Captains’ Award for the second time in his career.
The Glenn E. “Ted” Mann, Jr., Award, which is given to a reserve who contributes the most to team morale, was delivered to freshman Elliot Williams. The Coach’s Award for a player exemplifying the commitment and values of Duke Basketball was given to Lance Thomas.
Three other awards were handed out Friday night. Joey McMahon and Griffin Tormey received the Gopal Varadhan Senior Manager Award, Elise Rose was given the Harry Rainey Spirit Award and John Roelofs was the recipient of the Charles Hogan Memorial Band Award.
2008-09 Duke Men's Basketball Award Winners
Swett-Baylin Award (Most Valuable Player): Gerald Henderson, Jon Scheyer, Kyle Singler
Dr. Deryl Hart Award (Top Scholar-Athlete): Greg Paulus
Glenn E. "Ted" Mann, Jr., Award (Reserve Contributing Most to Team Morale): Elliot Williams
Coach's Award (Player Exemplifying the Commitment and Values of Duke Basketball): Lance Thomas
Iron Dukes Award (Most Minutes Played): Jon Scheyer
Bill Krzyzewski Captains' Awards: Gerald Henderson, Greg Paulus, Jon Scheyer
Best Field Goal Percentage Award: Gerald Henderson
Best Rebounding Average Award: Kyle Singler
Best Free Throw Percentage Award: Jon Scheyer
Most Assists Award: Jon Scheyer
Best Defensive Player Award: Gerald Henderson
Gopal Varadhan Senior Manager Award: Joey McMahon, Griffin Tormey
Harry Rainey Spirit Award: Elise Rose
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