Duke Football opens practice today and BDN was on campus for media day which kicks off the season. Our first offering is this video with All ACC wideout Conner Vernon and there is a lot more coming your way.
Tag Archives: Blue Devil Nation
And Justise For All: The Justise Winslow Interview
In the well air-conditioned Durango High School gym in a city with the dry heat of a sauna, Las Vegas, 6'6" Justise Winslow ended his summer in fitting fashion, with a championship trophy and an ankle wrap filled with enough ice to keep the Kennedy clan refreshed for a night in Palm Beach. Winslow's AAU team, Houston Hoops, won the Las Vegas Classic 54-53 in overtime over the Mac Irvin Fire, a Chicago-based AAU program. Despite injuring his ankle in three games prior, Justise prevailed and defended all five positions, including fronting one of his best friends, 6'11" Jahlil Okafor, in the title game of the Las Vegas Classic.
A year after not making the USA Basketball U-16 team in Colorado Springs, CO, the determined Houstonian Winslow not only made the United States Men's World Championship U-17 squad, but played such an integral role on the squad that he made the All-World Championship U-17 team in Kaunas, Lithuania. Justise, a resilient young man, roomed with Jahlil Okafor of Chicago, Tyus Jones of Apple Valley, Minnesota, and BeeJay Anya of Gaithersburg, Maryland. Bringing efficient decision-making, defensive versatility, toughness, explosive athleticism, an on-court tenacity and maturity, Winslow started the last five games for the United States, registering four consecutive double-doubles at one stretch. In the championship game against Australia, the rising junior scored thirteen points, grabbed eleven rebounds, and generated four steals to help the team capture the coveted gold medal. Soon after, the gold medal-winning team was flown more than fifty-seven hundred miles away to Sin City, watching the United States Men's team prepare for the Olympics. Justise was able to meet with the Olympic team members and observe Coach K run a practice and scrimmage against the USA Select team. Less than two weeks later, the four-time NCAA Champion head coach would offer Justise Winslow a full scholarship to Duke University.
The MVP of the World Championship and fellow Duke recruit Jahlil Okafor said of Justise, "Justise Winslow is an amazing player. He's one of my best friends. He's a freak athlete. He can shoot it, he can dribble, and he's like 6'6." He's really strong and a tremendous defender. He's an amazing player. He was my roommate and, so, we obviously hung out a lot. You know how we're both really humble. We're like-minded. We're both very serious basketball players. We don't listen to all the other stuff influence us. We have a lot in common. We're both just very focused on basketball and improving."
St. John's School in Houston, an academically rigorous institution with an average SAT score more than 130 points higher than the incoming freshman class at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, had not won a basketball title in thirty-two years. In his first year of high school, Justise helped add a banner to the rafters by scoring a career-high forty-three points, grabbing fourteen rebounds, and making the game-winning assist to his older brother Josh in the waning seconds of the championship game against the Episcopal School of Dallas to win 69-67.
Following the loss of ten seniors from the first title-winning team in three decades, the Mavericks of St. John's had some initial growing pains, including Justise receiving a controversial ejection from a December game after a crowd-electrifying dunk against Antonian Prep of San Antonio. Once again, however, Winslow, a now sixteen year-old with the physique of a young defensive end in football and the reserved demeanor of a fourteen-year veteran NBA player, willed St. John's, alma mater of director Wes Anderson, to a second consecutive Southwest Preparatory Title, registering a near triple-double of twenty-five points, ten rebounds, and eight assists, against arch-rival Kincaid in the title game. For the season, the southpaw earned MaxPreps Sophomore All-American distinction, after averaging 22.5 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 3.2 assists en route to a second consecutive Southwest Preparatory Title.
The son of Rickie Winslow, a member of the University of Houston's famed Phi Slamma Jamma, who played professionally in the NBA as well as in Europe, and fellow Cougar Robin Davis, Justise's statistics belied the overall importance that he played on this year's Houston Hoops team. The rising junior averaged 9.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, while shooting 51.4% from the field in the Nike EYBL regular season, but, infused with the confidence of his success in Lithuania, took his game to another level at the Peach Jam in North Augusta, SC, where he averaged sixteen points, over eight rebounds and three assists in five games against a superior level of EYBL competition.
His head coach with the Houston Hoops, which also produced McDonald's All-American and incoming Duke freshman Rasheed Sulaimon, is Tim Schumacher. Coach Schumacher said of Justise, "He's a phenomenal kid. He's a phenomenal athlete, which is obvious, but he's also a high IQ basketball player. When you put those things together, the great personality, the great work ethic, and the phenomenal athlete, I mean the sky is the limit for Justise. He's really got the ingredients to be a very special player."
Of Justise's experience with both making and achieving a high level of success with USA Basketball, Coach Schumacher continued, "Well, I think it was great for Justise because he didn't make the team for the sixteen-and-under and he was really disappointed about that. He really spent about a year with that as his goal and the fact that he achieved his goal and then, when he was there, he had so much success, it really gave him a lot of confidence and swagger, which I think he needed to get. He's so unselfish and he makes all of the right decisions to such a point that, as a coach, I sometimes want him to be more selfish. Sometimes, I want him to be more aggressive with ball because he is so good. He's a very efficient player. With his work ethic, the better that his jump shot gets, the higher that his game is going to go."
Justise Winslow spoke with me in Las Vegas and Oakland about a wide array of topics, including his new offer from Duke University, his gold medal-winning experience with USA Basketball, what he's looking for in a college program, his father's advice, and his relationship with Jahlil Okafor.
Let's start with the most recent championship run.
Well, coming from Peach Jam, we went four and one, but didn't make it out of the pool. Here, we just played with a chip on our shoulder. It was a lot of fun to be able to play and win with some of these guys…some of them we'll never play again with. We just got the job done.
[private]
Now, in retrospect, talk about the strength of this team, the wings and its versatility.
Yeah, I mean we had a lot of versatile players playing with us. Some of them were playing with us for the first time like DeAndre and James, but, you know, we found a way to get it done. At the end of the day, that's what it all comes down to.
Then, today, in this game specifically..
Yeah, I struggled a little bit with..
Well, you had that great play along the baseline…
Yeah, I had that dunk, but I struggled a little bit with Jahlil's size down low. He's a great shot-blocker. So, that's why I need to go home and work on finishing at the basket, hitting that mid-range pull-up, and stuff like that so that, in these types of games, I can become more useful when I'm on the floor.
Well, you're obviously quite useful, but what happened with your ankle?
It's hurt. It actually hurts a lot.
Was that from before this game?
Yeah, it intensified in this game, but it really started about three games back. There'll be plenty of time to rest it.
Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.
Yeah, yeah. Thanks.
What was your experience like both playing with USA Basketball and making the team this year?
That was a great experience being able to make that team and then being able to play alongside all of those high-major caliber players. It was a once in a lifetime experience..being able to be so young and be able to travel the country with so many great players.
You guys were rock stars.
Yeah, and, you know, when we won, I was just so happy and it was because everyone was going for the team. Everyone was playing for a common goal, which was to win the gold medal and so it was really a great experience generally. I'm really proud of that.
To a degree, it was really your coming out party internationally. You really set yourself apart through your physicality and versatility.
Well, when I went out there, the coaches told me that my role was just to play hard and to rebound. I just took that and ran with it. You know that I got a lot of opportunities through transition buckets by hustling and through our press. Also, I tried to help through not allowing the other team to get buckets. I really just tried to play my role and fortunately it turned out well for all of us. It was a blessing.
Who did you room with over there?
I roomed with Jahlil Okafor, Tyus Jones, and BeeJay Anya over there.
Jahlil had mentioned that. I asked him for a scouting report on you and he's also very close with Tyus (Jones). What's your relationship like with them?
Yeah, I mean we're very close and, frankly, us three are looking at going to the same school together.
Is that fairly serious?
Yes, it's serious. We've talked about what schools we like and stuff like that, but..
They're good kids.
Yeah, and I really enjoy being around them. They're some of my best friends and they're not from my city or even state. I like them a lot.
Good taste. Now, the other major thing since we last spoke was that Duke offered you a scholarship.
When I got back from Lithuania, once I got to Vegas..
I was actually there that day and ran into Jahlil.
Oh, yeah.
It was crazy.
Yeah, yeah, definitely. So we saw Coach K that day, you know, working, but the day before I spoke with the assistant coach and he told me that they were going to be offering me pretty soon or, well, he actually texted me.
Coach Capel or Coach James?
Coach Capel..and so a couple of days later, Coach K called me once I got back home and offered me a scholarship.
And what was your initial reaction?
I mean I was ecstatic to be offered a scholarship from a high-major school like that with a lot of tradition and one of the greatest coaches ever. It was really a blessing.
What do you know about them?
I just know the tradition and how good of a coach that Coach K is and how many NBA players that they have produced. Also, it's a great academic school.
I remember that you go to a great high school academically as well in St. John's.
Yes, it is.
Do you have any visits planned?
On August tenth, I'll visit UCLA.
Anything else?
No, not yet.
In terms of your overall timeline, do you view this as still early in the process? Middle? Late?
It's transitioning to the middle. I'm trying to decide by Christmas of my senior year.
I know that you had an extensive list to start with. Are you planning on cutting that down to a more manageable number in the near future?
Yeah, I'm trying to narrow it down to ten by the early Fall.
Ten. Do you view this as the best basketball that you've played so far in your life?
I mean I think I can play better.
In the future, sure, but as of this point..
I think that my jump shot is better than I've shown. I just need to focus on improving..
Actually, efficiency, recognizing what is working in a given game, and playing within yourself are some strengths that you have that are usually developed through experience by older players. I think those are some of the distinguishing strengths of yours. What is your mindset?
I mean I just start off each game with the mindset that I need to score. If I'm not making jump shots, then I'm not going to take them unless I'm open. I'm going to try to either find an open shooter, drive for a closer shot, or look to finish around the basket.
I assume that your shooting is one of the main things that you're trying to work on.
Yeah, I focus a lot on my jump shooting. The crazy thing is that back home, whenever I'm in school ball, I can make everything. I can make my jump shots consistently, but, for whatever reason, out here, I just can't make them.
I've seen your crazy numbers and they clearly indicate that you're capable of it.
Yeah, I just try to not let it get to my head and just think that the next one is going in.
Now, do you work with your brother? Your father?
Yeah, my brother, my father, and Coach John Lucas.
Oh, John Lucas. That's quite a trio. What's been your father's advice? Obviously, he was successful in college and had a professional career.
Well, one of the main things that he keeps telling me is to just keep playing. Don't focus necessarily on an individual play. Know that the next shot is going to go in.
Does he often guide you? I'm trying to figure out the relationship dynamics.
He guides me, but..
Does he take a backed-off approach?
Yeah, he sort of backs off because he's been through it all. I would say that my mom is more involved with, for example, the recruitment right now.
What are their thoughts right now with what you accomplished with USA Basketball?
My mom is very proud of me. My dad is too. Well, my whole family really. She just wants me to stay humble, not get a big head, and keep working on my game.
Great advice. What are your goals for next season? You've had two successful runs. What are your goals, both collectively as a team and individually for the next high school season?
I mean we won our state championship for the last two years and so that is definitely our first goal. We'd like to win more games during the regular season as well too. As far as me, I'd just like to keep playing my game and then, hopefully, during my senior year, I'd really like to be a McDonald's All-American. I just want to make my teammates better. I'd like be able to help showcase them and I'd like to be able to play in and compete in national tournaments.
I know that you had seven sophomores this year. Do you have a fairly loaded team next year?
No, not really.
Sorry about that. For the audience members that have never seen you play before, can you describe your overall game? You're about 6'5"..
Yeah, I'm about 6'6" 212 pounds. I've got pretty good size arms for a guard. I can play the point, well, really the one, two, three or four really. I can guard all of those positions. I'm athletic. I can handle the ball. I can knock down my jump shots. I can protect the rim and rebound.
Do you work on strength and conditioning as well?
Yeah, I do a bunch of drills..some simple conditioning drills like jumping over hurdles and things like that.
I think that there are so many young people that don't focus on that aspect until it's much later and wind up using up their first year of college to prepare themselves physically for the next level.
Yeah, exactly, I'm preparing now so that I'll be prepared to contribute early. I'm definitely focusing on all aspects.
You've won two state titles already.
Yeah, it's been cool. It definitely helped me grow as a player. It was just fun being able to do it with two different teams and to be able to win it with my friends.
On the first one, you were able to win it with your brother.
Yeah, that was really cool.
You had forty-three points, drove the lane at the end, and dished it down low to your older brother to make the game-winning bucket.
Yeah, that was great to be able to share it with him.
I read in one interview that you actually really liked football, but that it was obviously a necessary sacrifice.
Yeah, I mean I really like football and all that, but basketball is just a better sport for me.
You had also suffered a concussion earlier when you were going against some NBA guys.
Yeah, I did unfortunately. I mean they're just bigger guys and one of them just knocked me around when I was younger.
Who was the guy that did it to you?
I think it was Gerald Green.
Your father went to the University of Houston and was part of that Phi Slamma Jamma. What would you say that you've gotten most from your father?
I would say my athleticism. That and he always says to remain humble.
Your high school, St. John's, is regarded as one of the best in the country academically.
Yeah, it's a challenge. It's definitely a challenge to balance the academics and athletics, but it's one that I can handle.
Has it been difficult to balance the two?
It's definitely been necessary to learn how to balance the two. It's difficult, but I like the challenge.
What's your relationship like with your AAU roommate Justin Jackson?
We work out together on occasion, but we're not too close. We're getting along better.
Do you plan on visiting Duke?
I don't know if we definitely have a visit planned, but I know that one of my coaches has been talking to them.
What are you looking for in a program, whenever you do decide?
The coach. I'd like a really coach and a comfortable environment.
Unselfishness is something that repeatedly comes up when I talk to others about you.
Yeah, I guess that I'm pretty unselfish. I mean it's in my nature, but my coaches often'll say that I need to be more selfish out there on the court. I don't know. I guess it's something that I need to work on or balance. It's not something that I think about too much when I just play, but I guess I'm unselfish.
On the AAU circuit, part of it was out of necessity, but you've played a lot of point guard and created some mismatches for your opponents. How about playing the point guard position at the next level?
I think I'd need to work on my ball-handling a lot more.
What has been your primary role on this Houston Hoops team?
Leader
The leader?
Yes.
From your perspective, what went on the time that you were thrown out of the game after dunking the ball?
I dunked on this guy. The ref said that I looked upset at him. I didn't say anything. Then, they gave me a tech. I said I didn't say anything and then he ejected me.
Another adjective description that comes up with you is efficient.
Yeah, I try not to take bad shots. If a teammate has a better shot, I try to get it to them and they should take it. I try to make the shots that I can and move the ball when I can't. If I'm not feeling it in a given game, I'll try to drive to the basket more.
What do you consider your strengths and weaknesses?
I would say that my strengths are probably my athleticism and my IQ and my weakness is probably my jump shooting.
What would you like the audience to know about you away from the court?
I'm a fun guy. I'm pretty serious on the court, but I like to have fun away from it.
Is there a player that you try to model your game after?
Probably James Harden
James Harden. Well, he's a similar size.Were you a fan of any teams growing up? I thought I heard that you were.
Yeah, Florida and the University of Texas football teams.
That's what I thought, but no basketball ones.
Yeah, no.
Who's been the toughest guy that you've had to guard so far?
I'm not sure, probably Tyus Jones.
Tyus Jones. Well, thank you very much, Justise.
Sure thing, no problem.
[/private]
Welcome To The Hood: A Rodney Hood Exclusive
Blue Devil Nation was the first to have an exclusive one on one interview with Rodney Hood after he transferred to Duke from Mississippi State. This interview ran for our BDN Premium members in early July and we are now opening the article up for the public to give you an idea of the articles you will find in our extended subscription service. Enjoy getting to Rodney Hood -
In early April, Rodney Hood announced he would transfer from Mississippi State after his freshman season. It was a tumultuous year, one in which Hood, along with recent NBA lottery picks Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, and Brad Beal, earned SEC All-Freshman honors, but which also ended with his Bulldogs getting knocked out by UMass in the opening round of the NIT.
With Hood looking for a fresh start, Duke, a program that had recruited the former McDonald's All-American in high school, quickly rose to the top of his new list. In early June, the Meridien, Mississippi native made the journey up to Durham to visit Duke and to meet face-to-face with the coaches. Basketball was the one constant throughout the visit, as Rodney enjoyed hanging with his prospective teammates -- eating, talking, and of course playing ball. Hood also was impressed by the refreshing candidness of Coach Mike Krzyzewski, who watched Hood's game footage at Mississippi State with him. He pointed out things that they could work to improve upon, and also reviewed footage of Grant Hill playing at Duke. The freedom that Grant Hill played with while at Duke certainly appealed to the 6'8" 204 lb Hood.
After narrowing his list down to Ohio State and Duke, Rodney chose to be a Blue Devil. On Wednesday, he officially moved in, and will be roommates with sophomore point guard Quinn Cook. Hood and Cook, a born salesman, talked throughout the recruiting process and have built a relationship. Hood, a good student in high school, has enrolled in classes in Psychology and Advertising during this second summer session at Duke.
Along with Duke rising seniors Mason Plumlee and Ryan Kelly, Rodney is one of the select college players invited by Nike to its prestigious LeBron James Skills Academy this weekend. The left-handed wing player shot the basketball very well in the opening session, impressing several NBA scouts with his mix of size, skill, and versatility.
In his first interivew since enrolling at Duke, Hood spoke exclusively with me about a variety of topics, including a NCAA Championship run, improving his body in this coming year, what he will bring to the Duke program, being a competitive teammate, and unpacking his bags.
We’ll get into why you chose Duke in a second, but why don’t we start off with your reasons for transferring? Your dad had mentioned in an article that this wasn’t a last-second decision, that you had thought about this for a few months.
Yeah, it was just a situation where we had a coaching change and there were a lot of changes throughout the program, so I decided to look elsewhere. It was just a personal decision and that’s what I decided to do.
What were your reasons for choosing Duke?
You know, it’s just a high level of basketball. Coach K is evidently the best coach in basketball. It also gets me out of my comfort zone. We are going to have a chance to compete for a National Championship.
I’d like to talk to you about that in a moment, but one of the things that I saw that you had mentioned that you liked in your meeting with Coach K was that he talked about specifics. What did he envision for you?
He just envisioned me being one of the best players in the country on one of the best teams and being able to play there. He was very honest with me. We watched tape and he was honest about my game.
He watched tape with or of you at Mississippi State?
Yes, and he told me what I needed to work on and, for me, there were just a lot of little things that I didn’t know about myself and my game.
That’s interesting.
And so it was great.
Out of curiosity, did he compare you to any players? I know that sometimes he does that. I remember, for instance, him talking with Kyle Singler about that.
Well, we watched a little of Grant Hill’s tape.
Well, you’re around the same height.
Yeah, we’re kinda the same build, but we’re different kind of players. But the freedom that he gave Grant Hill back in the day, he said he would put me in those sort of situations.
That’s also interesting.
Yeah.
Did you know any of the guys on the team beforehand? Guys like Quinn?
Oh, yeah, I’ve been on campus already since Wednesday. I room with Quinn and we talked throughout the whole recruiting process. I also talked a lot with Rasheed and Amile and all of those guys.
Well, they’re all very nice.
Oh, yeah, definitely.
What did Coach K say that he would like to work with you on in the next year?
More than anything, my body.
Your body?
Yeah, not just really adding weight, but adding a whole lot of strength. Just falling in love with being in shape.
Yeah, I think if you just got a little more developed in the upper body and keep working on your ball skills, you’d be pretty unstoppable at this level.
Yeah, that’s what we talked about. We talked about falling in love with being in shape. You know, if you can get into shape, you can do a lot more things and it just elevates your game..stuff like that. Oh, and obviously skill work, but more just about getting my body in shape.
Now for you is it more about strength or conditioning or, frankly, both?
Yeah, it’s really both, really. You know, KD, Kevin Durant, he runs all of the time, and he’s not the strongest guy, but he’s effective because he’s mobile and he runs. But you know, I have to add strength to be the type of player that I want to become.
I’ve been watching you a lot in the last two days, and it looks like you make a conscious effort to try to get open. Yesterday, you shot the ball really well, but you're constantly moving without the ball here.
Yeah, yeah, a lot of it’s just repetition, just staying in the gym. Just focusing on getting better.
For fans who may not have seen you play at Mississippi State or in high school, what are you going to bring to the program? There are a lot of fans that are excited about you coming.
I’m a player that can play on both ends of the court. You know, gets out there on defense, and offensively I’m very versatile. I can make plays, I can shoot the basketball, I can post-up.
You knocked down fifty three-pointers.
Yeah, I can do a lot of stuff. I’m just excited to get in there and try to win a National Championship. It’s one of my goals.
As a lefty, what advantages do you have?
You know, there are a lot of advantages. Guys are not used to going against lefties. That’s why Ginobili and guys like that, Zach Randolph, guys are not used to guarding them every single day. I think it gives you an advantage.
Also, as a shot-blocker, you’re facing a lot of righties and you have a natural advantage of being able to block their shot with your left hand.
Yeah, it’s very easy to contest a right-hander’s shot.
What would you say is your go-to move, for fans who haven’t seen you play?
I’d say my go-to move, well, I like to do a lot of jab series. That’s basically my go-to move -- I like to jab.
Where do you like to shoot the ball? It seemed like yesterday it was, like a lot of players, dead center.
Well, pretty much everywhere, but mainly dead center in the middle of the court. I try to get open spaces.
Then today you tried to work on the wing and down along the baseline.
Yeah, I was trying to work on that.
In terms of strength and conditioning, what do you currently weigh and what are you hoping to do in terms of your body?
Well, right now, I’m 204.
Are you 6’8” or about there?
Yeah, I’m 6’8.” Definitely, I'm 6’8.”
Well, what are you hoping to get to?
I want to get to about 212 at least of muscle. I’m not a guy that wants to get real bulky and I’m never going to be that type of guy, but as long as I keep getting strength, I’ll be fine.
You want to add that lean muscle.
Yes, absolutely.
Is there a guy you tried to model your game after, when you were growing up?
I love Penny. Penny Hardaway.
He’s another 6’8,” 6’9” guy that was skilled.
Yeah, I watched him play a lot and just tried to model my game after him. The way he makes plays and made his team better.
Do you think that you’re a pretty good passer?
I am. I can make a lot of passes. I can see over the defense a lot. Just like in football, where guys, well, quarterbacks can see over the defense. I can help find the open man.
Yeah, it’s such an advantage if you can. Can you tell the audience a little bit about yourself? A little bit about your background. I know you’re from Meridian and your dad played ball.
Yeah, I’m from Mississippi, born and raised. I love it there, but I also love to have fun. I’m a regular kid. I’m not going to get in no trouble..on purpose. You know, nobody’s perfect, but I just love to have fun.
You’re not going to be a knucklehead off the court, right?
Oh, no.
What about your family?
Yeah, my mom and my dad both played ball, my brother and sister both played ball on the Division I level. My dad played pro overseas.
Are you the youngest?
Yeah, I’m the youngest, so it’s good having that knowledge in front of you.
It probably helps a lot, coming from a basketball family.
It does.
What are you hoping to accomplish at the skills academy?
Just getting better by playing against the best wing players and the best players in the country. Just getting better every single time you step on the court.
Can you recap the visit to Duke?
It was mostly just basketball, really. You know, we talked basketball almost the entire time. We ate, we talked basketball. We played, we talked basketball. We talked basketball afterwards. That was pretty much it. (laughs) I liked it.
You mentioned before that you're looking to make a title run in 2014. You guys might be stacked.
Yeah, definitely, we’re going to be pretty good. You know, in that year, we’re going to be pretty good. I’m just anxious, you know, the freshmen that are coming in now are going to develop and we’ve got some guys that will come in next year.
It sounds like recruiting’s going pretty well.
That’s what I hear. I think we’re also going to be pretty versatile as far as defense and, well, offensively, too. It’s going to be pretty exciting.
What’s your schedule for the rest of the summer?
I’m going to be at summer school at Duke.
The second session?
Yeah, I may be at a couple of more camps, but I’m not sure yet.
Since you just mentioned it, defensively, what are you going to do for the program?
I’m just a guy that can get out there and guard your 1, 2, or 3, and at the college level, even a 4.
That’s impressive versatility on defense.
Yeah, it is.
On the AAU level, I always thought that you were a really good teammate.
Yeah, I just love to compete. I think I bring the best out of my teammates, you know, challenging them every single day and, well, they’re challenging me too.
It’ll be great in practice this year.
Yeah, it will.
What about your major? Have you thought about that at all?
No, not really.
Well, it’s still early for you.
I’m taking an advertising and psychology class right now for summer.
I remember you were a good high school student.
Yeah, I was.
What are you interested in doing when you stop playing? Have you thought about that at all?
Well, I still want to be involved in basketball.
Coaching or announcing?
I don’t know about coaching. There’s a lot of personalities (laughs), but we’ll see.
Did you have a favorite team growing up?
You mean NBA team?
Yeah.
No, not really.
I didn’t know, growing up in Mississippi, which direction you would be looking.
Yeah, I didn’t really have a team.
One person had told my privately that they thought you were really disciplined growing up. Is that true?
Yeah, my high school coach really instilled in me discipline, you know, on and off the court. You know, doing the little things can help you go a long way. It’s been paying off so far. I just got to keep focussing on doing the little things.
What do you like to do for fun off the court?
Play video games, card games, just regular card games. (laughs)
Have you had an opportunity to see any USA Basketball this weekend? Will you get to?
No, but I think we're going to go see them tomorrow. I’m very excited to see them.
You’re obviously a very good shooter. How are you trying to develop that?
Just repetition. You know, as a shooter, I’m just always trying to add repetition.
In one of the articles I read for preparation, one of your ex-teammates said you might be a one-and-done.
I never said that.
It was your ex-teammate, Moultrie, who said it.
Oh, no, it’s however long it takes to be ready. I never think of it that way.
So, you’re “unpacking your bags,” so to speak?
Yeah, I am.
Thank you so much for doing this.
Oh, sure.
2015 Prospect Elijah Thomas is making his presence known
As the 2013 AAU season winds down, many analysts start to focus on the class of 2015, and Blue Devil Nation Premium has a long tradition of introducing our members early to the prospects that everyone will soon be talking about. One of the players who caught my eye during the Nike Peach Jam is 6'8", 235 pound Elijah Thomas, who plays for the Team Texas Elite AAU squad. Thomas is a space-eating big who has been impressing coaches and analysts alike, and he told BDN Premium that he is out to prove he's one of the best players in the class of 2015. One good sign coming from the rising sophomore is that he has dropped a phenomenal 50 pounds in the past year; the drive, determination, and discipline needed to achieve that goal speaks very well for him.
Several schools are showing interest in the young big man, but Thomas says it's early and that his recruitment is open. Thomas listed Duke (along with Texas and others) as one of the schools he's followed, as he discusses in the latest BDN Premium interview offering. Thomas caught the eye of Duke [private] Coach Jeff Capel at the Peach Jam in Augusta, and is currently playing in Las Vegas, where fellow BDN Recruiting Analyst Andrew Slater is taking in all the action and providing up-to-the-minute reports to our members. Here's the interview:
All BDN Premium members have access to the message board but a separate registration is required. Please allow up to 24 hours for approval but likely much sooner. If you are a member and have not registered for the board, please do so. [/private]
The Quiet Storm: An Interview With Andrew Wiggins
"Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far."
-Theodore Roosevelt
Over the past four months, Andrew Wiggins has helped strengthen his case for being the best young prospect in the world. Blessed with having two parents who possessed the genetics and self-discipline required to be world-class athletes, Andrew has not squandered his opportunity.
This April, at the Nike Hoops Summit in Portland, Oregon, the then high school sophomore captured the MVP Award after he helped lead the World Team Select by scoring twenty points and grabbing seven rebounds to an 84-75 victory over Team USA Select, featuring some of the best American talent, including Shabazz Muhammad, Kyle Anderson, and Rasheed Sulaimon.
The 6'7" Canadian followed that up by bringing his mix of elite athleticism, improved skill, scoring prowess, and competitive gusto to his balanced and deep AAU team, CIA Bounce, where they went on to dominate the Nike EYBL season, winning seventeen of their first nineteen games. Wiggins averaged over eighteen points and nearly six rebounds over the lengthy regular season, which included stops in Oakland, Dallas, Minnesota, and Virginia. In June, the patriotic young wing competed with the Canadian U-18 team in Brazil, where he averaged a team-leading 15.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2 assists at the FIBA Americas U-18 Championships.
This July, he has continued his whirlwind tour by first heading to Las Vegas for the prestigious LeBron James Skills Academy. Even amidst some of the exceptional talent accumulated by Nike for this year's version of their All-American camp, Andrew Wiggins, who enjoyed the playing style of Allen Iverson, stood out with his performance on both ends of the court. Pressure can break some young men, but, although he later said he was nervous before the game, he shined in front of the United States Men's Olympic team, including his favorite current NBA player, Kevin Durant, at Durango High School in Las Vegas. After that event, he then headed to Alexandria, Virginia and later Washington, D.C., where he helped lead Canada to the Finals of the Nike Global Challenge. In the Championship game, Andrew Wiggins, who enjoys a 6'11" wingspan, rose to the occasion, scoring twenty-four points, snatching seven rebounds, and creating four steals in a narrow defeat.
At his most recent event, the Nike Peach Jam, competing against arguably the best AAU teams in North America, Andrew took his game to greater heights. In his seven games in North Augusta, SC, Wiggins averaged twenty-two points and nine rebounds, while leading CIA Bounce to the Peach Jam Finals, before suffering a painful one point defeat, 51-50, to the Oakland Soldiers. In the Championship game, while guarded by a versatile and tough defender in Stanley Johnson, Wiggins generated twenty-three points, nine rebounds, and swatted three shots.
Genetically significant, his father, Mitchell, was an honorable mention All-American at Florida State and a first-round draft pick in 1983 for the Indiana Pacers. Mr. Wiggins, who was born in Kinston, North Carolina, played shooting guard professionally for a span of sixteen years, including six in the National Basketball Association.
Andrew’s mother, Marita Payne-Wiggins, originally from Barbados, was an All-American track star at Florida State, where she met her future husband. At age 23, the 5’8″ track star, won two silver medals, representing Canada, in the 4 x 100 meter and 4 x 400 meter relays at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. More than twenty-five years later, she still holds the Canadian women’s outdoor record for speed in both the 200 meter (22.62 seconds) and 400 meter (49.91 seconds). Although Mrs. Payne-Wiggins didn’t win another medal, she competed for Canada in the 1988 Seoul Olympics as well.
Andrew played briefly in America during the 2009-10 season for Ro Russell and Christian Center Faith Academy in Creedmoor, North Carolina, a thirty-minute drive from the Duke campus. Wiggins’ parents elected to take him back to Canada to go to Vaughan Secondary School, just north of Toronto, for one year. While competing for the Vaughan Voyageurs, the nearly 6’7″ wing averaged twenty points per game. In his only high school year in his native Canada, Wiggins enjoyed a storybook ending, scoring twenty-five points and grabbing thirteen rebounds in the gold medal game to lead Vaughan to a OFSAA AAAA Championship. A year ago, Andrew Wiggins and his family decided to take his talents to Huntington, West Virginia, where he attends school at St. Joseph's Central Catholic High School, lives with a host family, and plays basketball for Coach Rob Fulford at Huntington Prep. Andrew liked the improved competition in both practice and games in America, the familiar camaraderie of knowing several of his Huntington Prep teammates through the CIA Bounce AAU basketball program, and the college-level facilities available through Huntington at Marshall University Recreation Center.
After a stellar 28-2 sophomore season at Huntington Prep, which included trips to Ohio, Illinois, New Jersey, Canada, and Washington, D.C., the accolades flooded in for the soft-spoken young man with a loud game. Andrew Wiggins, who very well may be the best Canadian basketball player since two-time NBA MVP and eight-time NBA All-Star Steve Nash, was named the MaxPreps Sophomore Player of the Year nationally and won the Gatorade Player of the Year in West Virginia after averaging more than twenty-four points, four assists, and nearly nine rebounds per game on a deep Huntington Prep Express squad. Off the court, he earned a solid B average at St. Joseph's Central Catholic High School. Basketball can be a mercenary's life, but Andrew will enjoy the stability of being back at Huntington Prep for, at least, one more season.
Seemingly every year, there is a new middle-school phenom unearthed and hyped as the "next big thing," but, for a variety of reasons, a very small percentage ever ultimately live up to the initial billing. When Andrew was thirteen, a highlight video or mixtape, which has now been viewed more than 4.1 million times, spread virally throughout the internet, billing him as "the best thirteen year-old on the planet." Now, at seventeen, with significantly more skill and physical development, he has managed to navigate the waters and be even closer to realizing his ultimate potential, through sheer competitive drive, guidance, and maximizing his natural talent.
In an ongoing interview with the friendly Andrew Wiggins, who visited Duke when he was younger, we spoke about a variety of topics, including his lethal mindset when he steps on the court, Duke's interest in him, and playing in front of LeBron James.
How has the transition to Huntington Prep gone and what you’ve gained from that experience?
It’s been good…probably because I knew a lot of people and know a lot of people from AAU or other things. That’s helped a lot. They've helped treat me like I’m family.
[private]
You actually lived with a host family. How has that aspect of the experience gone so far?
Oh, that’s been great. They’ve been treating me like it’s a real family. They’ve taken me into their home, they help me out when I need it.
Well, that’s great.
They’ve acted like parents. They’ve been really nice to me.
You’re lucky in that regard.
Yeah, I am.
For the audience that may not know, you go to a local Catholic school, but you play for Huntington Prep. Explain how that works. It’s probably a solid school.
Yeah, it’s a private school, it’s a great education. Teachers support us 100%. They’ll help us when we need help.
I saw that you had a B average this year in school.
Yeah, I’m working hard this year in school. I don’t want any problems. (laughs)
Exactly, that’s a casualty I don’t want to hear about.
Yeah, yeah.
What are you working on most over the last year in terms of skills, body, etc.?
I would think my shot has improved a lot.
That would be the thing that people would notice most?
Yeah, that and my ball-handling, probably. Playing without the ball.
There’s been some talk about you re-classifying. Maybe you will, maybe you won’t. Can you address that issue?
Oh, well, that’s something I haven’t really thought about yet.
I didn’t mean to put you on the spot. Alright, we’ll move on. You’ve had a lot of international experience. How do you think that’s benefited you? What was the Nike Hoops Summit experience like for you?
The international experience has been great. You get to meet new people.
You get to travel.
Yeah, that’s cool and we’re all friendly. We love each other.
And, in terms of the Hoops Summit, you got the win.
Yeah, that was good. I thought I played a good game. I got my shots. My shots were falling. I had a lot of fun and a lot of support from my teammates. They’re all friendly.
Now transitioning into EYBL, can you compare this year versus last year in terms of experience? How have you benefited?
Well, this year and last year, I think our teams are great. Last year, I think we did great. We went to Peach Jam. We played good. Last year, we didn’t win it, but we still went out hard. This year, I think we’ll win it. I think we actually have a better chance of winning it this year. Our team is pretty deep this year.
Pretty balanced. Last time we talked about working out with your Dad. Do you still work out with him in the off-season and, if so, what do you try to work on most?
Oh, yeah, yeah, I definitely work out with him. He teaches me a lot.
Well, he was an ex-pro, that must help a lot. What does he teach you?
He tries to tell me what he knows and what it will take to get to the League.
What advice does he give you now? I know in the past, he would always try to tell you to stay humble.
Yeah, he likes to say, “Stay humble and the sky’s the limit.”
I saw that your brother committed to Wichita State. What was your and your family’s reaction to that?
Yeah, I was happy for him. He had a lot of options. He was looking at Baylor, Oregon, but he felt most comfortable at Wichita State.
Are you guys pretty close?
Oh, yeah, we play all of the time. We’re very close.
You guys must kill it at the local YMCA when you two walk in.
(laughs) Yeah.
I was looking back at a prior interview with you. You said defense is where you wanted to focus a lot of your energy. How would you assess that aspect of your game at this point?
I’ve tried to improve my man defense and my off-the-ball defense. I try to really get up on my guys. I’d say that my man-to-man defense is pretty good at this point, actually.
What’s your current height, by the way?
I’m about 6’7 ½” and that’s my real height..unlike some guys. (laughs)
Is the number one ranking still very important to you? I know in the past that was something that you were striving for.
I would say more than anything, it would really be an honor to me. I don’t want to say it’s incredibly important, but it would definitely be an honor and something I’m certainly shooting for and working hard to get there.
Talk about Allen Iverson being your role model. Well, not role model, but someone you’re trying to model your game after.
Oh, oh, I wouldn’t say role model.
God forbid.
(laughs) What I liked about him is he was under 6’, he was under-sized, but he could score whenever he wanted to. He played hard both ways and we really don’t have any superstars like him anymore. He helped them to the Finals.
I would think to a degree that you would try to model your game after guys like LeBron, Kobe, and Kevin Durant.
Oh, yeah, those guys are all like the best players in the League right now.
For better or worse, I just thought those guys are versatile wings like you.
My favorite player in the League right now is Kevin Durant, but probably all-time is still Allen Iverson. It's amazing to me that he was able to get his team to the Finals and play like he did at that size.
The only time I ever spoke with him was the day before he was drafted. He had an amazing watch on his wrist. I used to like to watch how he used his hands and feet on defense. He had an amazing ability to rip point guards with weak crossovers.
Yeah, he was amazing.
Your parents both went to Florida State and you grew up as a Florida State fan from a very young age watching them on the television. It’ll obviously have some influence on your decision.
Yeah, it’ll definitely have an influence on my decision and Florida State did big things this year, but I still have to make my own decision.
You had mentioned in the past that you appreciate playing such a tough schedule. How would you assess the competition this year and compare it to what you faced in Canada last year?
The competition this year was very good. It’s a lot different than Canada. A lot of people knock Canada.
Oh, no, I wasn’t trying to insult Canada at all. I love Canada.
(laughs) Yeah, me too. I wasn’t trying to knock it either, but the people are a lot bigger and stronger down here.
Well, there’s a lot more people.
Yeah, there definitely is a lot more people and, yeah, the competition is much better down here.
Who will you turn to for guidance whenever you do make your college decision?
It will pretty much just be my parents.
Coach K was watching you earlier in the year. Can you talk about that?
It’s an honor. He’s a big-time coach. He’s been able to coach and develop some great players.
What do you know about the program?
I watched a game there a couple of years ago. It’s a great basketball program. They’ve been winning for a lot of years. They’ve developed a lot of pros. They play really fast and fun.
Well, you actually lived in North Carolina for a couple of months a few years ago, but we don’t need to talk about that. What has it been like to have Tyler Ennis as your point guard?
Oh, he’s a great point guard. He’ll find you wherever you are. He’s a pass-first point guard and he has to be ready to get the ball. He’s very fast in transition. He’s very unselfish.
He’s very efficient as well.
Oh, yeah, he definitely is. He’s a smooth passer. He can score whenever he wants to score.
What do you think he’s like off of the court?
Oh, he’s a great kid off of the court. He’s unselfish, he’s humble, he’s friendly. He’s a good person to be around.
One of the things you wanted to improve on was your three-point shooting. You can be a tough self-critic, but how would you assess your three-point shooting at this point?
I think I’ve actually improved a lot since last year. I feel much more comfortable shooting the ball up there. I’ve tried to take away my weaknesses.
Yeah, I think you have in terms of the three-point shooting. Last year, you felt comfortable anywhere from your mid-range and in. I think the word you said was you could “kill,” but you wanted to push it out this year.
(laughs) Yeah, yeah.
Your handle is another thing you wanted to improve on. You mentioned that you think that was something that you improved on.
Yeah, that’s been an area I was trying to work on all winter.
Have you taken any visits and or do you have any planned?
Well, I visited unofficially to WVU.
That’s a pretty local school.
Yeah, exactly, it was pretty close to me and I don’t have any plans at this point, no.
What about your strengths? You look a little more ripped in your arms, so to speak. Is that something you guys work on at Huntington?
Oh, yeah, we go hard. You know. (laughs)
Yeah, I've heard.
We work hard on and off the court. We play hard on the court and in the weight room.
Do they have a good weight room facility there?
Oh, we have great facilities there.
Who would you say the toughest competitor is that you’ve ever gone against? Would Shabazz be up there?
I think I would go with Anthony Bennett instead. (laughs)
Oh, a little hometown shout-out!
(laughs) Yeah, he’s my boy.
Do you have any lingering injuries?
Well, my back hurts just a little bit, but it's nothing.
I’ve seen you lying on the floor occasionally. I just hope everything will wind up being okay for you.
Yeah, definitely, thanks.
Now, in terms of Huntington, you’re going to go back next year. Is that definite?
Yes, it’s definite.
What’s the latest in your recruitment? There’s not really any new schools?
It’s the same schools that have in there.
For the sake of the fans and my writing, can you please reiterate what schools are in the running? I just want it for the record.
Florida State, Kentucky, Duke, Syracuse, UNC.
What was it like playing in front of LeBron?
Oh, that was great. It was like a once in a lifetime opportunity. It was a huge opportunity and a real honor. I was a little nervous before the game. You know, these guys are big-time players and they’re coming to watch you.
Well, the only guy I know at all on the team is Kyrie and I just quickly tried to tell him to make sure to watch you.
Oh, yeah, thanks. It was a great experience and a real honor to play in front of those guys.
I thought you played well, too.
Thank you, thank you.
Have you felt any changes in your recruitment now that these coaches are allowed to text all of the time?
Oh, no, not at all, cause I haven’t given out my phone number. (laughs)
Oh, smart man.
(laughs)
You mentioned before that Duke is recruiting you. What do you know about the program?
Yeah, they've been speaking with my coaches. It's obviously a tremendous basketball program and a great school. Coach K is a legendary coach and now he's working with the Olympic team. They've had great players develop and play at Duke. I visited the school when I was younger. They've been winning for a long time.
You guys are traveling like crazy, but what are you working on most on your down period?
When I get a chance, I work out with my AAU coach and my dad. We’re working mostly on jump-shots whenever I’m home. I try to work out really hard whenever I’m home.
By the way, are you ever home?
(laughs)
What’s the story with that? Are you ever home?
(laughs) Hardly ever.
What’s your mind-set whenever you’re on the court? Is it attack? In the past, you said like to think of you as a killer or that others think of you as a killer on the court.
Yeah, I guess I would say more than anything, I just to kill them.
(laughs) That’s what I love about your game- that you have an absolutely killer attitude, totally cold-blooded.
Yeah, I just try to play my game, play hard, and take the other guy out.
Would you say you try to intimidate guys?
No, I can’t say that. What I would say is that when I step on the court, if they’re not intimidated, I’ll try to, well, they’ll….
They’ll learn?
(laughs) Yeah, they’ll see very soon learn that they should be.
By the way, what does your father think of all of this? The success, the notoriety, your recruitment, your development?
Oh, he’s very proud of me.
I’m sure.
He sees me working very hard in the gym.
Did he think this would happen for you?
Oh, yeah, he always thought since I was really young that I would be up for something special. He told me that I would be something special, very special.
Yeah, well, hopefully, he turns out right. It looks like you've got a good head-start.
Thanks.
What are your goals for next year?
I just want to make the ESPN tournament at the end of the year and win it. I’d really like to go undefeated. I’d just like to keep improving my game, that’s all.
Lastly, I've mentioned this to you before, but I'm counting on you to bring a little basketball glory to the name Andrew. You and Andrew Harrison are my two current hopes. We've got Drew Breeze and now Andrew Luck in football, but Bynum is just not cutting it. You're my hope. I'm looking for single name recognition like Kobe, Shaq, or Michael.
(laughs) All right, I'll definitely try.
Thanks a lot for your time, Andrew.
Sure, thank you.
[/private]
Coach Cutcliffe talks Duke Football during ACC Kickoff
Duke Head Football Coach David Cutcliffe adddressed the media during ACC Kickoff in Greensboro, North Carolina today and BDN has two video clips from the event where he talks gridiron happenings -
You must be logged in to post a comment.