BDN Premium -Since formally making the announcement that he was going to commit to Duke University on ESPNU, the nearly 6’3” point guard from West Orange, New Jersey has acted in a production of “High School Musical,” seen his aspiration of a mythical national championship vanish in a last second missed free throw against a fellow power, Findlay Prep, in a nationally televised game, had his hopes of a winning a second consecutive state title destroyed after his state association banned his team for conducting preseason basketball practices, and became the fifty-second McDonald’s All-American at Duke University. Over the course of a weekend at the Primetime Shootout in Union and Trenton, New Jersey, Kyrie Irving spoke with Blue Devil Nation about a variety of topics, including his recent McDonald’s All-American distinction, whether he does any recruiting for Duke, his reaction to Adam Zagoria’s preemptive strike, and his desire to follow Nolan Smith’s example of being a normal student when he arrives in Durham, North Carolina.

Can you talk about today?

To lose by one point on national television is definitely hard to take, but we just have to regroup and come out ready to play tomorrow.

Talk about the honor of being selected McDonald’s All-American game? How far you’ve come from the kid playing in the back yard just trying to beat out your dad to being considered among the twenty-four best players your age?

It was definitely an honor to be selected for a game like that. We had another person playing out there tonight who was also selected for the game.

Doron.

Yeah, Doron Lamb. It was definitely an honor to be picked.

When did you initially find out and what was your reaction?

I was just really happy, you know. I just really wanted to play as soon as I found that I got accepted to the McDonald’s All-American game.

How did you find out?  By letter or a phone call?

They actually send a letter to your school to say that you’ve been accepted. It was definitely great. [private]

What was your father’s reaction?

He was really proud of me.

Dunk contest or the three-point contest?

I haven’t really decided yet.

(Taken after Saint Patrick’s victory over nationally ranked Rice on Saturday night)

Have you gotten used to playing in TV games or do you still have any pregame jitters?

(laughs) I think it’s pretty obvious that I’ve gotten used to them. I never really..

Well, I mean I was thinking about last year versus this year.

Oh my gosh.

Yeah, I mean I remember talking to you last year. I felt so badly because you were down after losing your only game of the year and they were turning the lights off in the arena here.

Oh, yeah. Last year’s game was so tough. On ESPN..I mean that was my first ESPN game. I was nervous the whole entire game, but now it’s just I’m playing with my brothers.

Yeah, you’re so much tighter with these guys.

Yeah, exactly, and I’m the leader on this team so I’m used to it now.

Alright, New York versus New Jersey bragging rights.

(laughs) Yeah, I mean there’s definitely bragging rights involved, but I know most of those guys on Rice so there is definitely bragging rights. I’d be hearing about it if we lost.

Josh [Hairston] had talked about noticing that there was a big target on his back after he committed to Duke. That kids were amped up to make a name off of him and more people started, well, commenting from the crowd. Have you noticed that as well?

Oh, yeah, I mean now that I have national attention and I mean I’m going to Duke. It just adds to it. Definitely, I can understand.

Have you done any recruiting since you’ve committed? Wings? Austin Rivers? Did they ask you to do any? Or just concentrate on basketball?

No, no, not really. I mean I talk to Austin, but, you know, it’s really similar to when I would talk to Harrison, you know, it really wasn‘t about Duke. It’s just..

Relationships or more general?

Yeah, yeah.

I know they’ve offered Gilchrist. Obviously, you guys talk all the time, but I’m sure the readers would like to know if you’ve talked at all about playing with him at Duke?

No, not really that much. I mean he has his own recruitment and way.

You let him do his thing and talk about other stuff.

Have you added some muscle? Your arms look much more defined and your calves too.

Yeah, I’ve been doing my circuit training. I’ve been really training hard to improve my body.

This is one people have wondered about. What was your initial reaction when Zagoria decided to run with that story two days before your announcement? Shock? Disappointment? Anger? Disloyalty? I was, well..

It definitely disappointed my surprise. You know a lot of people. There were a lot of rumors circulating around the internet. It was premature, but it was just more that I was just so, so happy to be signing with Duke. I was so happy to be coming to Duke. He couldn’t take that away.

That’s a healthy way, but, believe me, you weren’t the only one that was happy about you signing with Duke.(laughs)

Kyrie: (laughs)

Are you going to be able to make it to any upcoming games this season? Carolina?

March sixth, yep. I’m definitely coming March sixth. I can’t wait.

Having gotten some games under your belt, how does this team compare to last year? Is it closer?

Our camaraderie. You've seen how we’re always smiling and all that stuff.

A couple of fans wanted to know about Austin Colbert. I said I’d ask you about him. How good is this kid potentially? Break his game down a little for the audience. You see him all the time in practice.

His potential is beyond. I mean I’m a believer in him. You know he’s still a little raw right now, but once he hones his skills and just..

Do you think he’ll be a four or a five at the next level?

Um, as of right now, I think I see him as a four, you know, because he can shoot it. We don’t really allow him to do it here right now because of how are team is made up, but in practice he definitely shows it.

Well, he can run the court, but I mean you see him in practice.

Yeah, yeah.

How about this acting thing? Is it too early to say “move over, Denzel?”

(laughs) I plan on doing the same thing that Nolan did. Just being around campus and seeing what happens. You know I’m just a normal person and many people forget that.

Yeah, yeah. I know you are.

I know. I know, but some people don’t realize it.

Lastly, I thought you and Gilchrist had a good flow going with the interview in ESPN or Rise Magazine. Was that the first time you had ever actually interviewed someone for a publication? How’d you like it? I know you’ve thought about getting into journalism.

Yeah, that was my first interview, but, at the same time, I think the flow came from the fact that you know each other so well.  I’m so used to him. I mean I look at him as like my little brother, you know, so I felt comfortable asking him questions.

They seemed pleased with how it turned out.

Oh, yeah, definitely.

Thanks a lot, Kyrie.

Sure, no problem [/private]