I will be on the AAU scene covering the Southern Invitational in Hampton, Virginia. Future Dukies Andre Dawkins, Josh Hairston and Tyler Thornton will show off their skills and we'll update you throughout the event on Blue Devil Nation Premium. Check back in to hear the latest on the recruiting trail. Get on the inside by joining BDN Premium today! You will then be activated and will have full access to the site including our members only message board. We look forward to seeing you.
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Thursday Morning Links – Plumlee, Redick and more
Future Dukie Mason Plumlee earned All America honors from the Louisville Courier. Here is the LINK.
Here is the NBA's early entry list with foreign players listed. The face of college hoops will change as players either come out or stay in the draft, so the watch begins.
The Boston Celtics tripped the Orlando Magic last evening to even their series at one game apiece. Former Duke standout JJ Redick was ejected from the game after arguing a call which gave him his sixth foul.
Duke Baseball swept Presbyterian and prepares for a stretch run in hopes of gaining a bid to the ACC Baseball Tournament which will be held in Durham Athletic Park, home of the Durham Bulls. LINK
Zack Greer is a candidate for the Tewaaraton Trophy, the highest individual honor in collegiate lacrosse. He is the only one of the five finalists announced Tuesday by the Tewaaraton Foundation who will not be able to advance his case further in the upcoming NCAA tournament. Greer, who finished tied with former Duke teammate Matt Danowski with 353 career points, used his final season of eligibility to play for Bryant and former Duke coach Mike Pressler. He also owns the Division I record with 206 goals. He helped the Bulldogs to a 10-5 record, but the Bryant program is transitioning to Division I and is not yet eligible for the national championship. Greer was among the Duke players who lost a season when the program was shut down following rape allegations against three players. The players were later cleared and all the members of the team who had eligibility left were given another year by the NCAA. Greer chose to transfer to Bryant.
Blue Devil Nation Premium will cover this weekend's Southern Invitational where members will hear from Josh Hairston, Andre Dawkins and Tyler Thornton among other prospects. So, be sure to stay close to the message board and site this weekend.
Blue Devil Nation Premium – In depth interview with Duke prospect Kyrie Irving
During the past year, Kyrie Irving has become one of the most coveted recruits in the country through his play at Saint Patrick’s of Elizabeth, New Jersey. Irving cut down his list of suitors from over thirty-five programs to a more workable ten, including the Duke Blue Devils. Over the weekend, the 6’2” guard played in his first major AAU tournament since winning the state title and did nothing but enhance his stock through his deft shooting, improved athleticism, and the opportunity to take the reins as a point guard in leading his New Jersey Roadrunners to a 3-1 mark, while averaging nearly 26 points per game. During the tournament, Blue Devil Nation caught up with Kyrie again to cover a variety of topics.
Blue Devil Nation: You made first team all-state and the Celtics won the state title. Was it about as smooth a transition as you could have hoped for?
Kyrie Irving: The transition to St. Patrick’s?
BDN: Yes
KI: It was a learning experience, you know, as a player and as a person. Looking up to Dexter (Strickland) and Paris (Bennett) everyday. Going out there in practice and just working very hard.
BDN: Well, you went 19-1 with you out there. It couldn’t have gone much better on the court.
KI: I definitely went through some ups and downs during this season, but it was a learning experience. I love it.
Blue Devil Nation: You cut your suitors down to ten programs. How did you come to the decision and what’s your current timeline? To read the rest of this in depth interview, join Blue Devil Nation Premium -[private]
Kyrie Irving: I just sat there and thought about the coaching staffs and how I felt about them and whether or not I could see myself playing there…and if I felt I wanted to visit there and stuff like that.
BDN: You felt you needed to cut it down to something more manageable.
KI: I definitely needed to cut it down.
BDN: So you thought thirty-five was a little too much..
KI: (laughing) Yeah, I just needed to think about the coaching staffs and handle it from there.
Blue Devil Nation: What aspects of your game can you work on during the AAU season that you cannot work on at St. Patrick’s? How does it differ? You seemed a lot more aggressive tonight than you have during the high school season, but they needed you to be tonight.
Kyrie Irving: Well, I mean the rumor is that I’m more of a combo guard, which people list me as, but my primary position is as a one. I’m a point guard first.
BDN: I was trying to track it amongst other things, but you brought up the ball roughly seventy percent of the time you were on the court (this would increase significantly as the tournament went along).
KI: Yeah, exactly, I mean Sandy just lets me get ball and start the offense. He lets me work on my game…different aspects that I want to keep working on…like refining my mid-range game.
Blue Devil Nation: Well, since you brought up shooting, how do you assess your shooting right now in all aspects? Long-range, pull-ups, floaters, driving the lane, and the one you just touched on, your mid-range game… You were hitting your threes consistently tonight.
Kyrie Irving: Well, I shot very well tonight. I’m also trying to work on finishing inside against the best near the basket. I think my range is pretty decent right now, but I mean just my in-between game right now.
BDN: You’re trying to work on it now amidst game situations.
KI: Yeah, the fact is I work on it all the time, but, in the game, it’s just different.
Blue Devil Nation: How did you decide on the Roadrunners and what’s your relationship like with Sandy Pyonin?
Kyrie Irving: Well, like before I started getting recruited and before people started to know me…I was with Sandy since my freshman summer...playing with guys like Corey and Keon Lawrence
BDN: I saw you with Justin Crosgile.
KI: Yeah, that’s like my right-hand man right there so I was just playing with him since the sixteen and under and then it just exploded basically.
BDN: Do you think it was just a matter of exposure combined with some improved play? Or do you feel you were always this good? You don’t have to be humble this time if you feel you were always around this level (laughs).
KI: (laughs) Yeah, I was around this level basically.
Blue Devil Nation: Which camps do you plan on attending this year?
Kyrie Irving: I’m going to the NBA camp. Then, I’m going to the Deron Williams Camp and the LeBron James camp…and there are a couple of other ones, but I’m not sure just yet.
BDN: What about tournaments?
KI: We’re going to Bob Gibbons and to Vegas that I know of.
BDN: Has Coach Boyle talked to you about how he plans on utilizing you next season? Will you be playing more off the ball next year or on?
KI: I’m going to be doing both. I’ll be a scoring point guard.
Blue Devil Nation: Despite the exposure that playing at a national power like St. Patrick’s, before you arrived, did you ever have any concerns over being overshadowed or overlooked by playing with other quality players, as opposed to staying at MKA, where you would continue to be the main guy and put up massive numbers? Not necessarily intimidation, but apprehension perhaps?
Kyrie Irving: (pause) At first, I did. I did feel it at first. I looked up to Dexter Strickland before I got there. I was always like wow, but the transition went cool so I mean just playing against the best and
BDN: By the way, I didn’t mean to offend you in any way by the question.
KI: Nah, nah, it’s all right. I can honestly say I was like a fan of Dexter’s and I admired everything about him. Everybody was always taking about ‘Dexter this and Dexter that’ and all of the camps that he was going to that never considered me. After I got to know everybody, everything was fine.
BDN: What was the highlight of the season for you? The title game? Your coming out party against St. Benedict’s?
KI: Winning the state title definitely… That was the best, particularly as a junior
Blue Devil Nation: Winning the state title. Can you talk about that game?
Kyrie Irving: That game…that game I put on a show also. I had twenty-six points and fun out there. The seniors…it was their last game. To top it all off, it was my birthday.
You turned seventeen that day.
Yes.
BDN: In your view, what are some of the benefits of playing AAU basketball?
KI: Playing against the best and the travel. I love to travel.
Blue Devil Nation: Let me ask a few questions that the posters were wondering about. Are you leaning towards any school at this point, specifically Indiana?
Kyrie Irving: No, not at all.
BDN: Another poster was wondering what position you would play in college? Would a “scoring point” be a more apt description than a “combo guard” at this point?
KI: I would say that, yeah, definitely.
Blue Devil Nation: Can you talk about your relationship with Rod Strickland? People have written that he’s a “cousin,” a family friend, and even an “uncle.”
Kyrie Irving: He’s a close friend of my family.
BDN: Can you assess your play so far in the tournament.?
KI: It’s been good. Our team is playing well and we’re just getting our chemistry together.
Blue Devil Nation: I wrote down your ten schools. Can you just briefly go through each of your ten finalists? If you could just briefly go over why you chose the specific program, that’d be helpful.
Kyrie Irving: Oh, okay. Yeah, sure
BDN: Indiana?
KI: Coach Crean and Coach McLeod. I have a great relationship with both of them. Notre Dame is because I have a great relationship with Coach Brey and Coach Solomon, er, Thomas.
BDN: Solomon
KI: Solomon and Coach Brey wants me to visit out there.
BDN: Texas A&M?
KI: They were the first to offer me. It was in the summer of my ninth grade year.
Blue Devil Nation: Florida?
Kyrie Irving: I went down there for Nationals and it was just great and they came to every game. Seton Hall is because their a local school. You know close to home. And Duke. (pause) You know, I…I mean Duke to me is really big. I mean especially where I’m coming from, which was nowhere. They’re great.
BDN: How about Georgia Tech?
KI: Coach Hewitt… he’s been great. He relates…he relates to my dad a lot. They have a good relationship.
Blue Devil Nation: What about Pitt, the home school for this tournament?
Kyrie Irving: I’m really just getting to know them, but I mean Ashton (Gibbs) is one of my boys.
BDN: Do you view this as an unofficial visit to Pitt?
KI: No, no I can’t.
BDN: Maryland?
KI: Maryland was because Coach Williams and Coach Eisen (Ehsen) came to see me during my sophomore summer, but it was brief.
BDN: And Marquette?
KI: I’ve watched them since Tom Crean was there and Coach Williams then. Coach Williams, right?
BDN: Yeah
KI: He became the coach and than I just related from there.
Blue Devil Nation: You talked in the past about making trips to Memphis and Indiana, do you have any unofficial trips planned for the spring or some that you’re hoping to make but haven‘t yet scheduled?
Kyrie Irving: Oh, yeah. On the 28th and 29th, I’m going to Texas A&M on an unofficial and in the future I’m going to Indiana and Notre Dame.
BDN: Okay, and that’s it for the schedule at this time.
KI: That’s it.
BDN: Thank you.
KI: No problem. [/private]
Andre Dawkins stock is rising – BDNP’s second interview with the future Dukie
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]
BDN Prospect Focus – Brandon Knight chats up the Blue Devil Nation
Blue Devil Nation Premium participated in several interviews with Brandon Knight during the Boo Williams Invitational. This is a true one on one interview with Knight, save two questions. Members received live updates on the premium message board all weekend long and there is lots of information awaiting you should you join. Already up is an interview with Harrison Barnes, Andre Dawkins (message board only), Josh Smith and now Brandon Knight. BDNP was on hand for the entire tournament and we'll have offerings of premium prospect interviews every single day through this coming Sunday. You will also hear from some prospects which most sites are not even aware are on the radar. Join us now and see for yourself what others are talking about.
That's quite a game you just had. Your team is 3-0 now, how does that feel?
It feels good because you want to come in here and start off strong. I thought we could have played a little bit better, but we got the "w" and that's all that counts.
You are really scoring well in this tournament, averaging around 25 ppg. Do you feel as if you want to be the go to man or the guy who takes the big shots?
Basically my team looks for me to close games out and do the right thing. So, I feel like they're counting on me to score at the end or to have the ball. I think I make the right decision sometimes to score or get my big the pass when he goes to the basket to finish or something like that. Rebound or whatever it takes.
Do you like that role?
Yeah, yeah. (shaking his head up and down) As long as you have confidence it's always nice to have that role.
Have you been hearing from coaches since being here this weekend?
[private] I haven't really had my phone on. I've just been chilling and focusing more on trying to get these wins.
You don't have a lot of times on your hands at an AAU event like this ..
Yeah
Do you get tired of the media or folks reaching in with mic's in your face?
No, this is fun - just keep your composure. It prepares you for whats to come.
(NBADraft.net) Do you get swarmed by a lot of other guys here trying to get you to come play for them? (Interesting question in that this guy suddenly "swarms" into the conversation)
Are you talking about their schools?
(NBAD) Yeah, some of the current commitments. (runs towards another prospect after one question)
Oh, oh, oh. Just some schools are on me like from Florida and Villanova. That's about it.
Well you play with Rivers, so I suppose he works you?
Yeah, a little bit.
Let me get this straight, I am not going to ask you about a list of schools which you have been asked on numerous occasions ...
Okay, okay ...
You played with Kenny Boynton last season with Team Breakdown and he's now at Florida. Can you see yourself playing with him again?
Yeah, yeah, I wouldn't mind as I have said before. We had such success during the summer that I feel that we probably would have a good season and make it deep in the playoffs if I went there. I have to sort teams out with my family and make sure ... I want to do the thing that is best for me and it may not be going to Florida.
You talked about going deep into the tournament. How important is it for you to be successful in the NCAA's?
I don't want to go anywhere and lose. I think that the main goal is to be able to play and win. I think you only get looked at if you win and if you are not producing and or are successful, you start being labeled as different things. But if you are labeled as a winner then I think that only helps your stock.
You are talking in terms of the NBA?
Yes. Yeah, I want to come in and play and win at all levels.
You have filled out a lot more this season - more defined or muscular ...
It's made a big difference. When you try to retain that same quickness, so when you get to the lane you are getting bumps, or you can roll to the basket and try to bump your defender off and try to finish. So, it helps you from getting bumped off your path and not being able to finish and stuff like that.
What is your routine?
Eating right and lifting and stuff like that. Doing push ups ...
More so than in the past?
Yes, just eating a lot healthier.
But some of the filling out process is a natural process as well ...
Yeah, yeah, yeah. You get stronger as you get older, but you can help the process along by lifting and stuff like that. I continue to lift during the season in trying to get stronger. I don't want beef myself too much, but i want to maintain.
** Rivals, DI - Have you heard from Duke very much? (Uh, the rivals guy just bumped in with a rather pointed question)
Not that much. I am getting letters but not much else lately.
What schools are calling you the most?
Florida, Florida State, Miami, UConn, Syracuse, Wake Forest ...
A lot of rumors get started and they just run rampant ...
Yeah, yeah, message boards
Exactly! I asked one of your AAU coaches about you yesterday and he said it would be real hard to pull you out of state and that you were a homebody. I'm not trying to put you on the spot, but how do you feel about that?
Yeah, yeah (not hesitating to answer) I'm going anywhere I can play and feel like I can win. Whether that's in the northeast or the west coast, I am going to go there. I like staying at home with my family and friends, but if I have to go out of state to be successful, that's what I will do.
I have two more interviews with Brandon Knight and this was the second of the bunch. The first was a media swarm. I try to get prospects one on one and my questioning tactics will sometimes change when others come in. All of the questions but three here were a true one to one from BDNP. But other sites are not above using what they overheard once they moved in, so keep that in mind. Also, you will notice that we do not ask leading questions about Duke unless they are mentioned by the prospect first. Oddly, the fellow at Scout claims sitting down for one on ones with prospects, yet there is no sitting down and a great majority of the questions they use are mine. That's not a one on one. BDNP is up front about who is asking the questions during interviews and we strive to keep our integrity intact. That's what has helped us to become the best at what we do and has allowed for a great network of sources. We have a lot of interviews ahead, but will likely save to multi site ones for last. Afer the interviews, I will get into scouting reports. I saw Harrison Barnes play in seven games or parts there of. It continues to be our policy that we will not go into our analysis of a prospects skill sets unless we have four or more views. Thank you for being a part of the Blue Devil Nation and welcome new members.
One more note, with the onslaught of information we will likely stay away from true articles until a bit later.
*****Important note - If you are a member and have not signed up for the message board, you need to do so. There is a lot of information there including the first of two interviews with Andre Dawkins. **You must register for the message board separately and be approved. If you use a different e-mail address it may throw us off, so e-mail that you have signed up so we can speed up the process. If you have registered and have yet to hear from us for approval, let me know. Go to the help page on the main site for further assistance. [/private]
Big Josh Smith chats up BDN Premium after he tossed in 36 points in his team’s BWI opener
BDN Premium caught up with Josh Smith (6-9 Kentwood HS, Covington, WA) after he tossed in 36 points in Seattle Rotary Select's opening night win at the Boo Williams Invitational. Discuss this interview on our private message board.
Wow! Thirty six points, game winning shot in the opener, what's up with that?
Aw, I man (smiling) ... it felt good. I started out feeling good and kept on pushing it inside. We had a little jet lag in the first half but we kind of woke up. [private]
Is this your first AAU Tournament on the east coast?
Not my first on the east coast, but my first time here.
So, where have you been on the east coast with concerns to AAU ball?
New York, Cincinnati.
Who is recruiting you?
Well, everybody is recruiting me right now, but I don't have a list.
I am sure you have heard this question before, but is there any truth that it is down to UCLA and Washington for your services?
That's not true. I am not necessarily staying on the west coast. If I do, I do. I'm not totally sold on the west coast despite what people are saying. It's where ever I feel comfortable, east coast or west coast.
Which schools stay on you the hardest?
All the PAC-10 schools, Texas, Louisville, Carolina, Duke.
When is the last time Carolina or Duke got in touch with you?
They send me letters all the time. They call my Dad. Coach K and my coach are real close so ... my high school coach and they talk a lot.
When is the last time you talked with coaches from Duke or UNC?
It's been a while.
So, you are still open to Duke or UNC?
Yeah
Three words which best describe you as a person -
Calm, determined and funny.
How did you feel after hitting that winning shot?
It felt good. I felt kind of nervous because I was going to go up and dunk, but my knee gave way and I got the lay up.
I will elaborate more on Josh and Duke on the message board. This is an interview to get the ball rolling. [/private]
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