Category Archives: Duke Basketball

Tobias Harris is a skilled 6’8” junior forward from Dix Hills, NY. His father, Torrel, as a Duquesne Duke, played against the Blue Devils in the Holiday Doubleheader at the Raleigh Coliseum in December of 1977. Mr. Harris, who went on to become an NBA agent, has his sons workout with a friend and former client, George Gervin, in the summers. In the early 1990s, Torrel Harris then started his own apparel licensing business, with agreements for both the NFL and the NBA, and called it Unique Sports Generation. Recently, he began a joint venture with his eldest son, Torrel, Jr., selling Nintendo-licensed apparel, under the name Torrel Torrel. He began his own AAU program, Unique All-Stars, nearly ten years ago to ensure that his children would learn the fundamentals at a young age.

Although not hailing from a basketball hotbed nor playing for a marquee AAU program, his son, Tobias, has garnered interest from around the country, due to the match-up problems that he creates offensively. When guarded by smaller, quicker small forwards, Tobias takes his man down low. When guarded by comparable sized big men, Harris uses his shooting and basketball acumen to draw his defenders away from the basket and either take them off of the dribble or shoot over them. Recognizing that defense is his chief liability, he’s worked with renowned trainer Jerry Powell to lose body fat and gain agility, in order to be able to guard elite small forwards at the next level. After an opening round game at the Pitt Jam Fest in which he scored 29 points, Long Island native Tobias Harris spoke with Blue Devil Nation.

Blue Devil Nation: You’ve traveled extensively around the country. What schools have you visited so far?

Tobias Harris: I’ve visited a lot, like, Virginia, Maryland, Syracuse, UConn, Georgetown, West Virginia…

BDN: I keep hearing and reading about you going off to visit this school and that. It’s a good way for you to see how you might fit in at a program.
TH: Yeah, yeah. I’ve visited a lot more because the thing is I’ll go to the school’s “elite camps,” you know.

Blue Devil Nation: Now, you’ve recently cut down on your list of schools to eleven from roughly forty.
Tobias Harris: Yeah, I just cut it down.

BDN: Can you name the eleven off of the top of your head? [private]
TH: I think I know a couple. It’s like…Maryland, Syracuse, UConn…West Virginia, um, Rutgers, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech…there’s two others…Notre Dame and, oh, Louisville.

Blue Devil Nation: What were some of the things that you found in these schools that helped you to cut it down to eleven?
Tobias Harris: I’m definitely looking for academics and at their style of play.

BDN: What style of play do you feel your best suited to?
TH: A get-up-and-down style…just free flowing…where the forwards have the same opportunities as the guards

Blue Devil Nation: Speaking of that, what position are they mostly recruiting you for?
Tobias Harris: Small forward, you know, a face-up forward that can shoot the ball and do a lot of other things

BDN: How tall are you now?
TH: I’m about 6’8.”

BDN: You’ve grown a little since I spoke with you. The last time you said some schools were actually recruiting you as a two guard.
TH: Yeah, yeah. I’ve grown too tall to play the two.

Blue Devil Nation: Where are you going to camp this year?
Tobias Harris: Amare Stoudamire, LeBron, and the NBA Top 100. I’ve got to make sure that I handle my school work with Regents (NY state tests used to gauge knowledge of a subject matter) and stuff

BDN: I know you’re transferring out of Long Island Lutheran, but you won the state title. Can you talk about that run?
TH: It felt great. I thought it was a major achievement.

Blue Devil Nation: Which players do you try to model your game after?
Tobias Harris: I don’t really try to model my game after anyone in particular, but I try to take pieces of other people’s games. I like to take from Carmelo Anthony and Charlie Villanueva and they do influence me.

Blue Devil Nation: What are you planning on working on over the next eighteen months before you arrive on a college campus? What do you think you need to work on?

Tobias Harris: My defense...my offensive skills…more shooting.
Range?

BDN: Your shot?

TH: Well, my shot is really good right now, but I just think I can get it better.

BDN: In terms of who you will be seeking guidance from, will your father be the primary guy you’ll be turning to?
TH: Yeah, my father and my older brother.

BDN: Do you or did you have any favorite, in terms of conference affiliation?
TH: No, not really. I’m looking at ACC and Big East schools and Oklahoma.

Blue Devil Nation: What would you like the audience to know about you away from the court?
Tobias Harris: Just that I’m a good person and a humble guy. I’d like them to know that I’m a really hard worker and that I’ll do whatever it takes to succeed.

Blue Devil Nation: Now I know that you’ve gone to two high schools and you play for your father on the AAU circuit, but, in your experiences, what do you find to be the differences between high school and AAU competition?
Tobias Harris: It’s a lot different. In high school, sometimes you’re stuck you in one spot and just runs sets.

BDN: Do you ever play center in high school?
TH: No, I almost always play the three.

Blue Devil Nation: I saw you bringing up the ball quite a bit tonight. Are you just trying to work in some ball handling? Are you looking to do that a little bit more?
Tobias Harris: Yeah, I know I’m not going to play point guard in college or anything, but I still want to have a good handle and I think it helps with my ball handling.

Blue Devil Nation: How would you assess your leadership at this point?
Tobias Harris: I like to lead my team and I want to get everyone involved. I don’t want nobody to be sulking on the team so I just try to be very unselfish.

Blue Devil Nation: And your rebounding, can you touch on that?
Tobias Harris: Yeah, that’s a good benchmark for me. I try to box out and use my size to my advantage. At 6’8,” I usually have a size advantage against the guy I’m playing against so. I actually a lot of points on either put backs or getting fouled after offensive rebounds. I try to draw contact.

Blue Devil Nation: You’ve slimmed down and lost some of that body fat. What do you feel you’ve improved upon the most over the past year?
Tobias Harris: I think my defense and my ball-handling. I’ve been working with my trainer, Jerry Powell. My trainer has helped me a lot with getting in shape too.

BDN: Jerry Powell has been working with guys like Syl Landesberg and Lance Stephenson recently.
TH: Yeah, yeah, he’s helped me out a lot.

BDN: Now, your dad played at Duquesne and has gotten into coaching at the AAU level. Do you have any interest in getting into coaching once your playing career is over?
TH: No, not at all.

Blue Devil Nation: How about the apparel business? Do you have any interest in following your father and your brother into the family licensing apparel business?
Tobias Harris: Yeah, yeah. I want to own my own business, any kind of business.

BDN: Is that what you’d like to major in, business?
TH: Yeah, that’s what I want to major in.

BDN: Thanks a lot , Tobias
TH: Sure thing [/private]

Duke Basketball, Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Monday Links – Langdon, Redick, Tauliliili and Wall in the news

May 4, 2009 Mark Watson

Redick will start for Orlando versus Boston tonight

First off, John Wall, the nation's top-rated point guard, has been charged with breaking and entering by Raleigh Police. We'll have more on this development a bit later, but the incident happened on April the 27th and is just now coming to light for most outlets. Nothing was reported as being taken and sources are saying that the house wasn't occupied.

Former Duke linebacker Michael Tauliliili has signed a two year deal with the Indianapolis Colts.

Another former Dukie, JJ Redick, will have the unenviable task of guarding Ray Allen tonight as the Orlando-Boston series starts. Redick gave his team a huge lift off the bench and has a great opportunity to shine in a start this evening.

Trajan is one of Europe's most respected players — Trajan is one of Europe

Trajan Langdon and CSKA Moscow fell just short of another Euroleague Basketball title yesterday. Langdon has been a star across the pond. I had the pleasure of watching the game on Fox Sports and on the last timeout, the Greek team could be heard in the huddle saying, "Watch "blanking" Langdon." CSKA comeback falls short

Duke Basketball Recruiting News

AAU Updates at Roundball Recruiting

May 2, 2009 Mark Watson

Andre Dawkins and Boo Williams are in action this weekend

AAU Basketball continues this weekend where a bevy of stars have gathered in Fort Wayne, Indiana. As you know, BDN is working with Roundball Recruiting, which is a new national recruiting site. For a limited time, you can access all articles for free, so check it out by going to this link. There will be live updates from Fort Wayne over the course of the weekend. Be sure to join their new message boards and tell them the Blue Devil Nation sent you.

BDN Premium Articles, Duke Basketball, Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Recruiting Focus – DeMatha and D.C. Assault PG Quinn Cook

May 1, 2009 Andrew Slater

Last year, Quinn Cook, a 2011 prospect, lost his father, Ted, to a cardiac arrest. This year, the point guard led the legendary DeMatha high school program to a City Title in Washington (D.C.), including a one-point victory over Tyler Thornton and Gonzaga. During the AAU season, he is the engine for the D.C. Assault 16-and-Under team. In each of the last two weeks, Cook has almost single-handedly led his Assault team to the finals of the Pitt Jam Fest and the semi-finals of the King James Shooting Stars Classic, scoring 17 and 28 points, respectively. During the Pitt Jam Fest, Blue Devil Nation spoke with Quinn about winning the City Title, dealing with the death of his beloved father, and future Duke guard, Tyler Thornton.

Blue Devil Nation: How’s your recruiting going? Do you have any timeline for when you’d like to decide by? [private]

Quinn Cook: My timeline… I don’t really have one right now. If I feel that the time is right, I’ll just sit down with my mom, my AAU coach, and my high school coach about the decision.

BDN: So nothing really planned?

QC: No

BDN: What schools are after you right now? [private]

QC: North Carolina, Georgetown, Maryland, Tennessee, Kentucky, and a couple of other ACC and Big East schools.

BDN: A lot of East Coast schools
QC: Right, right

BDN: Which of those schools have formally offered you?
QC: I’m not really sure right now. My coach…my high school coach, actually, has been handling that.

Blue Devil Nation: Whenever you do decide, what will be some of the most important factors in choosing your college?
Quinn Cook: Exposure, tradition, academics, of course, and just, like, a family atmosphere.

BDN: Have you made any visits yet?
QC: I’ve visited Georgetown this fall and I planned on going to North Carolina, but I had an obligation I had at school. After all of this settles down, I’m going to go down there.

BDN: Where do you plan on going to camp?
QC: I’m really not sure at this point.

BDN: Who are some players that you try to emulate?
QC: I have my own style, but I really watch Chris Paul and Kobe Bryant.

Blue Devil Nation: As a point guard, what style of play do you like to run?
Quinn Cook: Fast. I like to run up-and-down and keep going.

BDN: What do you feel you need to improve upon most?
QC: My strength and my foot speed. I want to work on a lot of things, but those are my main two that I have to work hard on.

BDN: What do you do best?
QC: I think my passing. I’m a pass-first point guard.

Blue Devil Nation: Now you play in a great high school league, but what are some of the differences that you’ve found between playing in the WCAC and playing AAU basketball?
Quinn Cook: The differences that I’ve seen are that the competition in high school is much more physical. Guys really get after it, but, in AAU, guys want to try to showcase their talent. I would say the high school competition is more aggressive, but the AAU is more better because it’s all-Americans out there.

Blue Devil Nation: Can you talk about winning the City Title and particularly winning on a last second shot?
Quinn Cook: It’s great because it’ll go down in history. I mean you can be fifty years old and be back at high school and just …

BDN: You’ll always remember those guys and be able to share that time.
QC: Yeah, absolutely right.

BDN: What’s your current height and weight?
QC: I’m 6’1” and 175.

BDN: What’s your role going to be like next year?
QC: More of a leader and more of a distributor

Blue Devil Nation: What’s your relationship like with Curtis Malone? A godfather?
Quinn Cook: Yeah, he’s like a godfather to me.

BDN: Who’s been the toughest player you’ve ever faced, either in high school or in AAU competition?
QC: Oh, wow, I’ve got to say, um, that’s tough. I’d say probably Samardo Samuels.

Blue Devil Nation: Can you talk about some of the great point guards you’ve played with and against in the D.C. area? Guys like Markel Starks, Tyler Thornton, Josh Selby, Kendall Marshall.
Quinn Cook: That’s why I think the Washington metropolitan area is so strong because you’ve got point guards all over the place.

BDN: Your fellow D.C. Assault point guard Tyler Thornton was saying that the WCAC is like a mini-ACC.
QC: Yeah, everyday you’re going against elite competition

BDN: How would you assess your handle, your defense, and your overall shooting?
QC: My handle is okay and my D is something I need to work on. My three-point shooting is going well. My mid-range is good. It’s good.

Blue Devil Nation: Since you didn’t mention them before, I’m not sure if I should ask you these next two questions, but what’s your impression of Duke from afar?
Quinn Cook: Oh, I love it. I mean my godbrother. I mean I’m very close with Nolan Smith.

BDN: Have you visited it?
QC: I mean I went a little bit, but...I love Nolan and I love Duke. They’re like one of my favorite schools. I’ll probably visit them when I go down there.

BDN: So you’d be open to them if them if they start recruiting you heavily?
QC: Oh, yes, of course…of course

BDN: What about Coach Krzyzewski?
QC: He’s a legend. I really want to have a pleasant meeting with him. I really respect him and what he’s done.

Blue Devil Nation: For people that don’t know, you lost your father last year to a cardiac arrest and you wear an image of him on a shirt beneath your uniform. There is never a good time, but I lost my father recently too. It must’ve been devastating, particularly to lose him so unexpectedly.
Quinn Cook: It was very tough, but, you know, I just had to be there for my mother and my sister. I had to be there and, you know, Nolan talked to me. I had a lot of uncles and older friends help and step in.

Blue Devil Nation: Can you give the audience a scouting report on Tyler Thornton and tell everybody what he’s like as a person?
Quinn Cook: Like, off the court, he’s genuine and really, like, laid-back, but, you know, on the court, he’s just the opposite. He likes to get everybody going. He’s a very, very good player.

Blue Devil Nation: What would you like the audience to know about you away from the court?
Quinn Cook: I like to text and to shop. I like to sit and watch movies with my mom.

BDN: Oh, yeah, what kind of movies do you like?
QC: Sports, action, comedies…pretty much everything except horror

BDN: I never liked horror either. Growing up, I always felt there’s too many actual scary things in the world to have to worry about.
QC: Yeah, yeah, true

Blue Devil Nation: Well, thank you very much, Quinn, and stay strong.
Quinn Cook: No problem. Thank you. [/private]

[/private]

BDN Premium Articles, Duke Basketball, Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Duke Basketball Recruiting Update – Wall, Barnes, Bledsoe

April 30, 2009 Mark Watson

The John Wall saga continues into May

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]

BDN Premium Articles, Duke Basketball, Duke Basketball Recruiting News

Blue Devil Nation Premium – In depth interview with future Blue Devil Josh Hairston

April 29, 2009 Mark Watson

Picture property of Natalie Hairston and may not be used without permission from BDN or the photgrapher — Picture property of Natalie Hairston and may not be used or duplicated without permission from BDN or the photographer

Blue Devil Nation Premium caught up with Josh Hairston to find out how his AAU season was going. In the process, we talked of his high school season, his future AAU events, Adidas Nation and much more in an informative interview. Having talked with Josh on several occasions during his high school and AAU career, I have a good idea of who this young man is, but he never disappoints in adding something new each time we speak. Josh is open and excited that he is to be a future Duke Blue Devil. We think you'll enjoy this detailed interview -

I just wanted to check in and see how things we're going with you ...

Yes sir (in an upbeat and excited voice)

When do you get out of school?

About four or five weeks ...

Are you counting down the days?

(emphatic) Aw man, I'm counting them down. It's been a long and successful school year but I'm ready to move on to that senior year.

How about recapping the end of your high school season for the Blue Devil Nation ...

We made a great run and finished at the top of our Battlefield District, won the tournament and went on to the regional tournament and then down to Richmond for the state tournament and won all that. So it was a real successful year. We set our goals and took each one a step at a time and the further we got the better and better we played, so it was a real successful year.

That's great! Did you win any individual honors?

Yes, I was named [private] player of the year for Virginia AA and regional player of the year and district player of the year.

Wow! Congratulations ... I know you've already played in a couple of AAU events, can you tell me about those a little bit and how you played?

Okay. I started off in New Jersey and I feel I played very well. All the [private] write ups that came back and the feedback I got was very positive. We also went to the championship game where we lost by one point to the New England Playaz so that was hard. We didn't come ready to play so we had to live with it and keep on working. Then we had pour tournament up in Chantilly, Virginia and we went through that and we actually beat the New England Playaz by 20 or 25 points in the championship game. Then we went down to Arkansas. We didn't play our best as a team but the feedback I got was pretty positive but none of that real matters if your team didn't do well, so it was a disappointment for us but you just have to shake it off.

You are going to be playing exclusively for D.C. Assault this spring and summer, correct?

Yes sir.

You guys have like a black team and such, can you talk of that and which one you'll play for?

We have like three or four 17 and under teams but I play for D.C. Assault Gold.

Can you tell me a little bit about your team and who plays with you?

Tyler [Thornton], you know, Tyler is on the team. We are a real successful team. We have Eric Adkins who just recently committed to Notre Dame. Then we have Max who is headed to UMass and Cedric Lindsey - a whole lot of schools are looking at him too. We are very deep on the beach and are a well rounded team that plays well together.

You have played with Tyler [Thornton] several times in the past already. Can you find that the chemistry continues to build when you two are on the court.

I do. (Keeping the upbeat tone for the whole interview now) It's almost like we can read each others minds when we are pout there. I know what he's going to do and he knows what I am going to do. I can tell you when he is going to pull up for a jumper or head to the basket and when I know he's going to do things like that, I just go to the basket and try to get a rebound. Tyler, the kind of player he is, when he wants to take over a game he can and we can kind of read each others minds on the court.

Can you talk about your future AAU events and what you have coming up?

Yes sir. I know we have the Southern Invitational coming up and then we'll have Bob Gibbons down there at Duke and UNC. And then I know we will go to Las Vegas and Los Angeles and we will go down to Florida for Team Breakdowns tournament. I'm on that Adidas Nations team so I'm going to miss some of that.

Tell me a little bit about that?

(exuberant) Aw man, that's a great experience, it's an honor to be a part of that. You are selected and play with a select group of players. I am talking about Josh Smith, Brandon Knight, guys like that. We recently had a practice in Las Vegas and it's the real deal. I enjoy playing with them. I think we have a couple fo more practices left and then we'll head out to Dallas and I can't wait for that.

What is it like playing with a bunch of stars as opposed to AAU and high school ball?

You know, it's hard sometimes because you have to play with as good or better players. Josh Smith, Brandon Knight and Jared Sullinger are all at the top of their class and that is not even necessarily saying that they are better than everybody or better than everybody in the program, but we are all used to being the man on our high school team. When all of us come together it's hard, but our team is playing well together. I mean, as soon as we stepped on the court the chemistry was there. It's hard at first, but you have to learn to play through it and work as a team and that's hopefully how you will ge the job done.

Who do you think is the toughest guy out there?

Tristan ... (paused to think) I remember, I played Tristan fifteen and under and I mean, his game has grown so much. I mean he can shoot the ball and get to the basket at will. If you let him, he'll dunk on you. So, Tristan I've been impressed with. Then you have guys like Trey Golden and Josh Smith. They impress every time they step out on the floor. I can't really say that one person has impressed me more than another because I was impressed with everybody so far.

How do you feel that you played?

I feel I played very well. A lot of them were on the team last year and I think there were like three or four of us added on this year. Those guys welcomed me with open arms and I have learned everything quickly. I mean they threw me right in there and I started playing.

Can you tell me who this team will be playing and when these games will go down?

For Adidas Nation, we'll play the other countries of the world. We will play Europe and Canada, Latin America and such like that. We will just prepare for that. That comes up in August down in Dallas. Right now, we are just scrimmaging the 2011 team and they're full of talent of late.

What is your current height and weight?

6-8, 215

So you are a solid 6-8 now?

Yes sir, a solid 6-8.

Do you still feel like you are growing?

You know, I hope so. I don't know if it's because they see me everyday but my teachers and priciple at school, when I walk into the office they always say I'm getting bigger and my mom says that too, so I hope so.

Do you ever go around the message boards and see rumors like Josh might open up his recruiting and the like? What do you make of stuff like that?

Yes sir. My mom reads that stuff, but I don't really pay attention to it. You hear things like, I'm not that good, I won't make it Duke and I will sit on the bench and stuff like that. I really don't pay attention to it and I know what coaches have told me. I know I can walk into any situation and walk into to any college and start, but I know I will have to outwork the next guy. On message boards some people are very negative and others are very positive and supportive and things like that. I know I see some backing me up at times and I wish I could thank them, but I really don't pay attention to that. I know that my commitment to Duke is full and they know it and as long as that is the case, it's all that counts. I called to talk with Coach Wojo today and left him a message so we'll talk by tomorrow.

Do you continue to follow recruiting and who your future teammates might be?

I do, I do because it's important who I will play with.

What do you think about the John Wall situation which seems to dominate the talk of late?

Whatever school gets John they are getting a one and done player. I think John Wall really is that good and I would like to say I will be able to play with him when I get there. But I am going to be honest with myself and say John Wall is a one year player.

How would you feel about playing with Harrison Barnes?

Aw man, I played with Harrison at the Nike Hoop Jamboree Camp. He's a phenomenal player and can do almost everything out on the basketball court. When he was down at the UNC game in Cameron and I saw him with that Duke T-Shirt on, my face lit up and I said, okay we have a chance with him. I really don't push the envelope and try to get him to come to Duke, but I will throw little hints here and ther telling him Duke really wants him and he knows that. I think he will make the smart decision.

What will you work on the rest of the summer with concerns to basketball?

Definitely to continue to get bigger. I don"t want to put on too much weight and be a muscle head, but if I can put on some more weight it will help me finish around the basket. I will work on my jump shot and continue to take it our further. I feel if I do those two thing everything will be fine.

Josh, it's always a pleasure to talk to you and I will see you on the AAU trail soon.

Yes sir, thank you.

Talk about this article on the Blue Devil Nation Premium Message Board. [/private]