Tag Archives: Harrison Barnes

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Duke Basketball Recruiting Update – Wall, Barnes, Bledsoe

The John Wall saga continues into May

BDN Photo
BDN Photo

Don't look for Wall to trim his list today, but [private] Friday and  Monday are possibilities, as is any other day in the future.  There are many complexities which make up the battle for Wall.  And it remains to be seen if World Wide Wes can swoop in at the last minute and work his magic.  Make no mistake, he will likely make a play on the Wall Camp during the midnight hour.

On the other hand, Wall's Mom continues to side with the Blue Devils and some feel Brian Clifton wants him to stick close to home as well.  But before anything can happen, John needs to pass his SAT's.  He will make his first attempt on Saturday, but there are many who feel it may take another try before it's done, according to sources I have within the school.   If  Wall does not pass his SAT, he would forgo college and the options available are many.  Keep in mind that he has three opportunities to pass before the school year begins.

Still, if Wall can pass, Duke will remain in the race with Kentucky and a school or two which will likely make his final list.   I told you long ago that it would come down to Duke and Kentucky and while that could change, I have no reason to think it will.  As for a timeline on a decision, I will stick with what I told you a few weeks back in that this one could drag out until May 20th at the latest.  IOW, I am certain it will go into May.

As for Wall's meeting with Krzyzewski, nothing is etched in stone as I type, but that could change within hours.  Duke still wants a face to face where Coach K will get to chat with Wall one more time before a decision is made.

Eric Bledsoe

I told you on the message board that Bledsoe had passed his ACT and that he would visit Memphis and Kentucky on Saturday.  There is nothing set up with Duke at this time, but Bledsoe remains interested and the staff is following this situation with Nate James as the lead recruiter.  I have said for the past few weeks that Bledsoe is a long shot, and I stick by that.

Harrison Barnes

I told you a while back that UNC got in the Harrison Barnes sweepstakes and that they have an unofficial visit scheduled with him in June after the NBA Player Developmental Camp.  That seemed like bad news at the time, but the Heels have a lot of catching up to do.  Barnes is telling everyone his recruitment is wide open, but if we allow some patience, this could be a similar situation to Kyle Singler's.  Singler was thought to favor Duke all along, but he waited until the end for the decision, which put a lot of Duke fans on pins and needles.  I don't look for Barnes to verbal anytime soon.  Oh yeah!  The good news is that, not to be outdone, Coach K and the Duke staff "may" get an unofficial visit the same weekend Harrison heads to Chapel Hill for the first time.  This would make the third visit to Duke for Barnes.
There are no other unofficial visits set up at this time.  (I had to edit this  for the nature is sensitive)

A busy July ahead for the staff

Duke will not be able to hit the road until July which gives them a much smaller window than in years past due to NCAA rules changes.  Until then, they will study what they hear and by August, we will have a good idea as to who is really on the radar.

Event coverage

We will be mapping out the rest of our spring and summer schedule shortly, but rest assured we'll be represented at the tournaments that count.  There will be no drop-off in our coverage of the nation's best prospects.

One last note.  There are some things involving the John Wall recruitment where I am sworn to silence.  I must respect the wishes of my sources on this, but promise to keep you more than just a little aware of what is going on.  Thanks for being a member of the Blue Devil Nation.  The best is yet to come. [/private]

Duke Basketball, Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Roundball Recruiting Internet Radio – John Wall discussion

AAU Coverage and discussion on Rounball Recruitng
AAU Coverage and discussion on Roundball Recruiting

If you would like to hear an internet call in radio show on college basketball recruiting, check out this link.  I was a last minute guest on Marc Maggard's Roundball Recruiting show where we discussed John Wall and other recruiting issues. It's free to listen to the replay and you'll want to go to the April 23rd show.  We discuss Harrison Barnes, Andre Dawkins, Duke and Kentucky recruiting and more. Here is the link:  Roundball Recruiting Podcast

BDN Premium Articles, Duke Basketball, Duke Basketball Recruiting News

BDN Premium Interview – Duke Prospect Harrison Barnes

Harrison Barnes - BDN Photo
Harrison Barnes - BDN Photo

Harrison Barnes is solidly in the top five players in his class and he continues to earn the reputation of one of the best if not the best player in 2010.  Barnes is playing for two AAU teams this spring and summer and is fending off the media frenzy at each event.  BDN talked to Barnes about that process and his play of late in the following interview.  We also got his AAU coaches' thoughts on what he brings to the table as a player in another BDN Premium offering.

What is your favorite part about the recruiting process?

I would say that I like the fact that I develop relationships with a lot of big time coaches and [private] new friends and develop relationships with them.

How do you put up with all of the media attention?

I mean, it just comes with the territory.  If I am going to make this a career for me someday, I have to deal with it.

You grew up watching NBA ball and not so much the college game, right?

That is correct.

So you are not really that familiar with college basketball traditions?

That is correct, I just see all of the colleges as equal in my mind.  I didn't really follow college basketball growing up, so a lot of the traditions I am unfamiliar with.

Is it presumptuous to think this might come down to Duke and North Carolina?

I mean it's a little premature that just to say that they are big time schools and that I am going to go there.  I will have to evaluate a lot of the programs to see what their system is like and go from there.  I think it's finding out just what's best for me instead of the biggest school or the number one ranked school.

So where does Harrison Barnes go from here with concerns to the recruiting process?

Now that the  NCAA Tournament is over and AAU ball is in full swing, I am going to take a few weeks and do some close evaluating of some schools and then I will start to eliminate some of them.

Timetable for a decision?

I will probably make my decision after my official visits, which will be sometime in the Fall.

Will you take the five allotted visits?

I will probably take as many as necessary.

Are you looking for a certain type of school?

No not really.  I think I can go anywhere as long as it's what's best for me.

Are you looking to make a quick jump to the NBA?

Well, there we'll have to ... I will have to judge that once I am in college.  It's a much different game and I've seen a lot of high school phenoms not get into the league, so we'll see.

And the most important factors with concern to a school choice will be?

Definitely academics.  I want to contend for a national championship and the coaching staff that will make you better.

So by wanting to play for the national championship - is that for exposure?

No,  I'm actually very competitive and I want to play for a team that can get to a national championship.

Your team has won three straight games after opening the tournament 0-2.  Can you comment on that?

It's an unbelievable feeling at such a high level tournament.  Even though we are in the bronze division it's still a huge accomplishment for us.

Going back to this win tonight.  You told me yesterday you loved to play defense and it was your defense which played a big role in this close win.  Your man had to call timeout on an out of bounds play and then you altered your man's shot.  Could you just comment about that?

Well, we knew we had to get this win if we wanted to play again, so we just really locked down and did what we had to do to win.

You scored 18 points in the second half.  Did you feel as if you had to rise to the occasion and take on a heavy offensive load?

We knew we had to get this win here to keep going and I did what it took to do that.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

AAU coaches' comments on Harrison Barnes (Diedre Jacobs, Howard Pulley) -

Harrison has been a great asset on our team.  He's offensive minded, he plays hard and brings a different attitude to our team.  His mental preparation I have never seen before in a young man his age.  He shares the ball and is kid who  can score anytime he wants to.  When he penetrates he is looking to kick it over and make others look better.

He's one speed.  In the van coming over he is mentally preparing for the game which is unbelievable for a teenager.  He already prepares like he's at the next level.  And with the younger players on our team, where we dress four sophomores, they are feeding off that.  It's important to have a fearless leader like that who takes every game seriously.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Closing comments - Harrison Barnes will play the remainder of the season for All Iowa Attack on the AAU circuit, but  will attend some of the nation's best individual work camps.  He will play for Howard Pulley again during the Nike Peach Jam in July.  Barnes is playing it close to the vest, but Duke is in very good shape at this time.  Keep in mind that one national site was hovering during this interview and asked a few of the questions.  In short, Barnes is a lot different away from the throng of media and, while I don't think he affiliated Sports Nation Network with Blue Devil Nation, he seemed really relaxed around me, even asking for his stats so he could tell his Mom how he played when he called her later in the evening.

Barnes continues his torrid play and has caught the eye of many of the nation's best talent evaluators.  He is a consensus top five choice and will likely average out around #2 when a consensus of the new ratings come out.  BDN will follow Barnes' progress all summer and will cover him closely as we have since he officially hit the radar last July.  In fact, we were the first Duke site to interview this talented young man. [/private]

BDN Premium Articles, Duke Basketball, Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Duke Basketball Recruiting Update – Barnes, Wall, Irving, McCallum, Bledsoe and more

misc-challenge-0652Before we get to the latest recruiting information, let me tell you what's coming to Blue Devil Nation Premium this week.  We'll have an informative interview with Harrison Barnes and comments from one of his AAU coaches.  BDN's Andrew Slater was on the scene at the Pittsburgh Jam Fest.  Slater will have the latest, including interviews with Kyrie Irving, Ray McCallum and more.  Both of us will offer scouting reports on prospects we see firsthand this week as well.  Then there is some hot information on visits, but you have to be a member to see that.

Here is the latest on the recruiting trail from BDN, a source you can trust.  [private] Duke is very high on Kyrie Irving and that's why Andrew was scoping him out this weekend.  Irving is moving up the ratings as I type and he has already listed the Blue Devils on his list of ten schools.  Duke Assistant Coach Chris Collins will visit Irving this week and there may be an unofficial visit in the future - we'll keep you posted on that.

Another guard prospect Slater interviewed this weekend is Ray McCallum.  This youngster has a lot of schools on him and if you have read our past update you have a good idea of his capabilities.  It's no secret that Duke is now going after athletic guards and the staff is determined to get one or two in the fold in the class of 2010.  Coach Collins will also take time to visit McCallum this week, so make no mistake in that Duke is very active on the recruiting trail.

BDN's best wishes for a speedy recovery go out to Steve Wojciechowski who recently tore his ACL.  The injury will cause Wojo to be on the mend and off the recruiting road show for a good while.  This means that head of basketball operations, Chris Spatola will take his place.  Spatola will be looking at some of the states younger players and will check out some action in Virginia as well.

Don't freak out that Chris Carrawell wasn't the choice, for he is a notch behind Spatola in the chain of command.  Both will one day be assistant coaches.  CWell will once again participate in the James-Carawell, where donations from Duke fans helped me send three underprivileged kids that I work with to the camp last season.

Everybody keeps asking on the message board whether Duke still has interest in Eric Bledsoe.  Well, the answer is yes, despite the fact that another site says he has a final four which does not include Duke.  In fact, Duke Assistant Coach, Nate James will be heading south to visit Bledsoe this week as well as some young prospects.  Either James or Spatola will visit Luke Cothron, likely James.

Duke is trying to get a feel for some of the youngsters in the 2011 class so they will know who to track come July when they are allowed to go to camps.  Yes, the camp availability is a bit more stringent this year, see the link from the NCAA on the message board if you are curious.

Then there is the continuing recruitment of the talented John Wall.  I am going to give you my speculation on what I feel is happening at "the moment."  I feel N.C. State is out despite being listed and that Miami is on the outside looking in as well.  I would in no way be shocked if Wall cancels his Miami visit.  His visit to Miami is set for this Friday and may last until Sunday.  Baylor seems the long shot as well, but of course I am pretty much repeating myself with all of the above.  Of late, Wall has added Oregon back.

Kansas has made a push but with their PG returning and the distance, I feel Wall will not be a Jayhawk.  Then there is "Dart gun," Billy Donovan who crept into the Wall home only to fly to Portland to meet with Wall in a motel room. That meeting was set up by Clifton who continues to listen to overtures.   Well, Billy has already used that dart gun trick with Kenny Boynton, so he'll have to reach deeper into the bag of tricks this time. Wait a minute!  Kenny Boynton and John Wall in the same back court?  One basketball is simply not enough for these two players and neither of them is going to take a backseat.  Could this mean that Wall stays in state like Boynton?

I also find it a bit interesting that rivals are doing their best to sway Wall away.  Florida comes rolling in when Kentucky becomes a player and North Carolina and Roy Williams would do anything to push Wall anywhere but Durham.  Both Florida and North Carolina have got into this race late - too late in my opinion.  If you put a gun to my head asking which one of these teams could weasel their way closer, I would go with UNC for the location.  Still , no secret that Roy and UNC dissed Wall for the longest time and his camp is not too happy about that.

That brings us to the two real players, this of course being my opinion.  Duke is trying to set up a visit with Wall before the contact period is over.  The Blue Devils made some major in roads and there are plenty of positives for both Wall and Duke should he end up in Durham.  The Duke staff hopes staying close to home and honesty wins out.  Of all the Wall suitors, Duke has pretty much backed up what they said and stayed straight up.

Duke could also start quite a pipeline for D-One Sports and Brian Clifton, but then again so could Kentucky.  Make no mistake there are some deep pockets in the deep south and they tend to let it be known in one way or another that there are "opportunities," to be had.  That's as nice as I could put it.  Like Duke, Kentucky needs a point guard and Calipari will try to sell Wall that he is a one and done specialist.

If Jodie Meeks comes back, Wall better hope he gets some shots, but UK can sell him better should he remain in the draft.  Personally, I don't see Meeks as a first rounder.  I told you a good bit back Patrick Patterson would cast his name and I feel he stays in.  I could go into all the prospects who are trying to sell John at various schools but that really isn't going to make that big of a difference.

Duke has put points in the pro's in Hurley, Williams and Duhon all first round picks.  And Coach K has been straight with Wall in saying he hasn't really had a point in four or more years.  Anyhow, enough rambling opinion, for this recruitment will take a few more twists and turns before Wall decides and you can count on a live announcement on ESPNU or some other network.

Still, at this time Duke is in as good a shape as possible but they will have to fight off Kentucky.  Keep in mind, I could be wrong and admittedly, my opinion changes a bit as the wind blows on this one.   Lastly, anyone who reads too much into comments in the coming days on Wall is wasting their time.  Wall is changing some of his answers from one interview to the next and is obviously enjoying his day in the limelight.  Please read our policies on sharing information on the message board.  Sharing of information from our premium site is strictly prohibited. [/private]

BDN Premium Articles, Duke Basketball, Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Andre Dawkins stock is rising – BDNP’s second interview with the future Dukie

Andre Dawkins surveys the court during the Boo Williams Invitational - BDN Photo
Andre Dawkins surveys the court during the Boo Williams Invitational - BDN Photo

I've now seen Andre Dawkins play in twelve games and the Duke commitment has made huge strides from being the six man on last seasons Boo Williams team.  It was clear to me on a trip to Richmond earlier this season that Dawkins had improved greatly since the summer.  Maybe it was there all along, but the thing that caught my eye was his athleticism.  In the first five games I had scouted Dawkins, he was primarily a long rang threat, capable of scoring points in bunches.  Now, Dawkins is showing off his athleticism by coming all the way across court to block shots or throwing down emphatic dunks.  Dawkins struggled in Boo Williams opening game, but erupted the rest of the way scoring over 2o points in five straight games.  I was all set to write the headline, "The Andre Dawkins Show," in the semi final game but a miraculous finish by Michael Gilchrist and Team Final spoiled the day and knocked Boo Williams out of the championship game.  Despite that, heads were turning with Dawkins play this weekend and the majority of the sites will raise his ranking or add another star to his name.  It was easy to see this coming for me after his play during the high school season, but Dawkins has put the rest of the nation on notice that he wants to be known as an upper tier star in the class of 2010.  Dawkins was named to the all tournament squad.  This is the second of three chats I had with Dawkins over the weekend.  The first interview can be found on the Blue Devil Nation Premium message board.  Please keep in mind that we do not have a public forum, so registering will only get you in if you are a subscriber.

Have you heard from the Duke coaches of late?

They just want me to concentrate on my AAU season and be myself and go out thee and play hard every night.

You struggled with your shot a bit in the first game, do you just keep shooting until your shot starts to fall again?

Yeah, just trying to get out of the slump from my first game.  I knew that wasn't going to last too long.   You can't rely on the last game.  You have to get your mind set.

Are you going to work on Harrison Barnes this weekend?

Oh [private] yeah, that's my job, I've got to go find him.

Kendall Marshall will be on him as well ...

Yeah we are both going to be on him all weekend so ...

Barnes doesn't tip his hand much does he?

Naw, he is cool.

Is your Dad here this weekend and if so what has he been saying to you of late?

Last night he just told me to forget about that game and move on to the next one.  That's what you have to do.  You can't go around worrying about the last shot in the last game.

[UNC verbal Kendall Marshall walks by smiling at Dawkins]

He's wearing that national championship shirt today.

[Travis McKie nods to me as he walks up and then off]

What about McKie?  Are you trying to get him to Duke? [asked somewhat tongue in cheek since McKie is not being recruited by the Blue Devils]

I'm trying but Travis isn't trying to go there.  He's not feeling them.

What about your teammate McAdoo?  Some are saying he is a UNC lock and that Flordia trails him as well ...

Naw, I don't think he's a UNC lock but he's definitely a great player.

You are obviously used a bit differently with Boo Williams than your high school team.  Can you address that?

You have a lot more duties with your high school team.  That's the way it is with all of these guys.  I mean it's the best guys from every high school.

Does Boo try to assign you to certain areas on the court?

I don't think he wants to label me or anything like that.  He wants me to do more.

What is it like being a leader on this seasons Boo Williams team?

It's a little bit different.  I was kind of backseat last year, but I'm kind of used to it being a leader on my high school team, but it's a little bit different having this much talent on a high school team.

Okay, I have to ask this.  When I was on Richmond, you made a thunder dunk and then went up to Duke Assistant Coch Nate James and let him know about it.  What was going through your mind then?

I don't know, I guess I was excited, just bring it and all.  It was a good play - it was a nice pass from Steve [Pledger], so I was just having fun. [/private]

Duke Basketball, Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Desperation Gilchrist three steals the show from Boo Williams and Andre Dawkins

Gilchrist hit a three pointer from half court after a steal and Team Final scored 6 points in 3.1 seconds to defeat Boo Williams, despite a huge effort from Duke bound Andre Dawkins
Gilchrist hit a three pointer from half court after a steal and Team Final scored 6 points in 3.1 seconds to defeat Boo Williams, despite a huge effort from Duke bound Andre Dawkins

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Wow! Tremendous games today. I was all set to make the headline "The Andre Dawkins show" for his 27 points were a team high for Boo Williams and they held a 63-60 lead with possession of the ball and just seconds left on the clock. On the in bounds play, Team Final forced a turnover and had the ball with 1.3 ticks left. Then a floating three point shot by Tyreek Duren and it looked like OT.  After Boo got it to Luke Cothran at half court who fumbled it and Mike Gilchrist threw in a three point shot from just left of center court.  Team Final rushed over to the camera and Boo Williams' players were stunned that Team Final scored 6 points in 3.1 seconds to win. Unreal.

On the next court, All Ohio held on for a close win led by behemoth Jared Sullinger over Team Stat.   Brandon Knight was injured in the first half and did not return after scoring 10 points.

To have been able to watch both of these close games was amazing.

But that's not all! I went across the way to catch Howard Pulley in their semi final bronze medal game. Upon entering the gym, Barnes drove to the hole for a slashing lay in.  The next time down he nailed a three pointer but that was after he blocked the shot on the defensive end. If that wasn't enough, he threaded a pass to a cutting teammate for an assist on the third straight offensive possession.  Barnes went on to score 26 points and his team has won three straight contests after dropping the opening two games.   Barnes will play one more game which I will stay for.  IOW, I am closing it out and staying for the duration.

The best I have seen - Barnes, Knight, Sullinger, McAdoo and Lamb would make up my first team  Dawkins played really, really well after his first game.  Much to come including a bevy of interviews and information.