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]
Plenty of prominent college coaches are showing early interest in budding young star Mickey Mitchell. The 6'7"-6'8" lefty, a member of the class of 2015, plays at Prestonwood Christian Academy of Plano, TX, and if that school sounds familiar to Duke fans, it's because he's high school teammates with key Duke target Julius Randle. Mitchell is a year older than his classmates, as the rising soph is already sixteen years old. One potential wrinkle in his recruitiment is that Mitchell is also an outstanding football player, and is going to be highly sought after as a college quarterback as well. But the basketball staffs at Duke, Florida, Kansas, North Carolina and Texas have shown early interest in Mitchell, w ho has been rebounding from a recent injury, and is still working back into his game. BDN Premium caught up with Mitchell for a one-on-one chat during the Nike Peach Jam recently, and here is that conversation. [private]
More to come! Discuss this video on the premium message board with fellow members. [/private]
6'7" Andrew Wiggins of Canada, Photo by Andrew Slater
"Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far."
-Theodore Roosevelt
Andrew Wiggins of CIA Bounce, Photo by Andrew Slater
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.
Gracious Canadian Star and Duke Recruit Andrew Wiggins, Photo by Andrew Slater
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.
Andrew Wiggins, Whose Parents, Marita and Mitchell, Were World-Class Athletes, Photo by Andrew Slater
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.
Andrew Wiggins of Huntington Prep, Photo by Nike/Position Sports
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.
Future Blue Devil Matt Jones has helped lead Team Texas to a 2-0 record thus far at the Nike Peach Jam in North Augusta, SC. BDN Video caught up with him after one of his games to get his thoughts on the tournament to date.
6'9" Duke Recruit Austin Nichols, Photo by Andrew Slater
For a self-described "goofy kid," 6'9" Austin Nichols of Memphis has a serious game. Blessed with a 7'2" wingspan, he is one of the most skilled big men in high school basketball, and has demonstrated the ability and desire to get out and run the floor.
On a senior-laden Briarcrest Christian team, the junior averaged over eighteen points and nearly ten rebounds, while leading the city of Memphis in shooting for a second consecutive year. Nichols, who has added twenty-two pounds (he is now up to 202 pounds) since last year, was named Tennessee's Mr. Basketball.
Nichols and fellow Duke recruit Robert Hubbs III, an ultra-athletic shooting guard from Dyer County in Tennessee, have been forming a nice one-two punch on the AAU circuit for M33M this year . They will be playing in Minneapolis and Las Vegas later this month.
Last summer, Austin attended Duke's camp, and began a relationship with the Duke coaches. Before being introduced to Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski, Nichols first spoke with Associate Head Coach Chris Collins and later Coach Steve Wojciechowski. Coach K came and watched both Nichols and Hubbs play. In April, Austin became the first player this spring to be offered a scholarship by Duke.
In June, Nichols trained in the high altitude of Colorado Springs, Colorado for the United States U-18 team that eventually competed for the FIBA Americas Championship in Sao Sebastio do Paraiso, Brazil. He was one of the fourteen finalists, playing alongside incoming Duke freshman Rasheed Sulaimon and fellow Duke recruit Julius Randle.
This month, Austin has been busy competing in the LeBron James Skills Academy in Las Vegas, NV and the Reebok Breakout in Philadelphia, PA before he rejoins his friend Hubbs for AAU competition around the country.
While his twin sister will be a freshman at the University of Tennessee and his oldest sister will graduate in August from the University of Memphis, where his mother is an alumnus, Austin Nichols, who has a 3.4 GPA at Briarcrest and a strong Christian faith, plans on cutting down on his extensive list of college suitors in about six weeks. Recently, Nichols, who has the deep Tennesseean voice of a young country music singer, spoke with me about a variety of topics, including playing alongside Hubbs and Randle, his improved overall game, and his faith.
You've been on a nice run this year, winning Mr. Basketball and being a part of USA Basketball.
I mean, I definitely worked hard for it. It’s a dream come true, especially to become a part of USA Basketball. Even though I got cut, it was a great experience in Colorado and I had fun and everything like that. I met some new guys. And then winning Mr. Basketball, that was a great experience.
It’s the highest honor in your state.
Oh, yeah. I was just excited and I worked hard to get it and I realized I want to work harder to get another one.
What was it like when you received the Duke offer? You were the first guy that they offered this spring.
Yeah, I talked to Coach K two or three times before he offered and I was shocked, just shocked. It was April. I started talking to Coach Collins first and then I started talking to Coach Wojo and then I finally started talking to Coach K and he offered in early April.
What was your initial reaction like?
I really didn’t believe it at first. It really hit me about a day or two later.
[private]
Coach K had seen you play a few times at that point?
Yeah, well, I went to their camp the summer before. They saw me there and then, yeah, over the early summer, he saw me a couple of times.
I watched you a few times last year on the AAU circuit. In your opinion, what would you say you’ve improved on most over the past year?
Getting stronger, improving my jump-shot, keep running the floor, I think my offensive rebounding has improved.
You look a little stronger as well, I must say. Or at least bulked up from last year.
Yeah, I was 180 last year, I’m now up to 202.
What would you like to be? What’s the next step for you in terms of weight and size?
I’d like to get all the way up to 220 by Christmas.
Oh, wow.
Yeah, I think it’s going to be hard, but I think I can do it, adding lean muscle.
For the majority of the audience who has never seen you play, what would you say are your strengths and weaknesses?
My strengths are I have long arms, I can run the floor. Man, my weaknesses are probably my jumpshooting.
Oh, really? You think that is your major weakness?
Yeah, I can hit that 15-footer, but my 3-pointer really needs a lot of work.
Oh, you’d like to move your range out even further?
Yeah, I would. I just don’t feel as comfortable that far out.
By the way, do you view yourself as a 4-3? What position do you view yourself as?
Usually as a 3-4, sometimes even a 5, depending on the match-up or the line-up in the game.
With your twin sister at Tennessee, how will that affect your decision?
She’s going to be a freshman at Tennessee this year. I’m actually about 3 minutes older than her. She got held back, I mean, I got held back in 7th grade.
I assume it was purely for athletic reasons, right?
Oh, yeah, yeah. Absolutely, that’s right. And she, I mean, we always talk. We’re really close, so whatever she thinks that I might be interested in.
Does it give Tennessee a competitive advantage?
No, not really. She is there for me, regardless of what I decide.
Does she play basketball at all?
Oh, yeah, she played until 6th grade.
I was just curious about your various connections. By the way, who do you try to model your game after? You have, sort of, a unique one.
I’d have to say Dirk (Nowitzki) and then secondarily, I’d have to say Pau Gasol.
So, you like to model your game after sort of tall, relatively athletic guys who have the versatility to step out and shoot it?
Oh, yeah, yeah, definitely, those are my type.
What about the pull of Memphis?
Great coaching staff.
Great recruiters.
Yeah, they definitely are.
Your mother went to Memphis as well, as I recall.
Yes, she went to the University of Memphis. She didn’t play basketball, but she was I think part of a band.
Well, that counts for something. She’s bringing spirit.
(laughs) Yeah, thanks. She wants me to go to Memphis, but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything. She‘ll support me. They’re really aggressive at recruiting me. I have to see. I’m neutral right now.
I was reading that you were planning on cutting down on your list relatively soon. What would you like to get it to and what is the mindset behind it? Is it to try to cut the list to a more manageable number?
Probably in a month and a half. I’m not really sure how low I’m going to cut it to, but yes, to make it more manageable.
By the way, are you a pretty good student?
Yeah, I’m pretty good. A’s and B’s. I’ve got about a 3.4 GPA.
That’s about double most guys here.
(laughs)
Well, that’s at Briarcrest Christian, where Leslie McDonald went. Speaking of Leslie McDonald, has he tried to influence you about North Carolina?
Yeah, about four weeks before school was out, he came by the school, he came to talk to me about going to North Carolina. Well, not just going to North Carolina, but being a college player. He was kind of getting me ready for it, waking me up early, telling me you had to get ready to go to practice, and just setting my mind right.
Do you think you have a good work ethic?
Yeah, I tend to think so. I get in the gym pretty constantly.
Well, for the most part, you have to to maintain at this level. What about public versus private? Will that be an issue for you when picking a college? You obviously go to a private school right now, but I didn’t know if that was an issue. Will size be a factor as well?
Well, actually, I went to a public school until 7th grade, so no, I can’t say, not really.
So, it doesn’t really matter to you, per se?
No, it doesn’t really matter.
This really varies from player to player, depending upon the level of competition or talent they face and what the level of talent they're accustomed to playing with, but how would you compare your high school basketball versus AAU? How does the competition compare as well?
High school versus AAU ball? Well, AAU ball is definitely faster. School ball is definitely slowed down a little bit more.
What style of play do you prefer?
Fast, loose, let’s push the ball. I like to run, I think it’s an advantage I have. I like to push the pace.
You shot about 67% from the field this year in high school. How did you remain so efficient? Was it you were primarily playing inside?
Yeah, I led the city of Memphis two years in a row in field goal percentage, but I really don’t know how I do it. It sort of just happens.
Having seen you play the last few days, I know how. Can you give a quick scouting report on Robert Hubbs?
Oh, he’s a great player. He can run, he can jump, he can shoot the ball. He’s a great ball-handler. He’s just a great player overall. He’s been great to play with.
Back to you, what about your defense? You obviously take pride in it. You’ve been a good shot-blocker in the past and I know you put up some good numbers in high school. Also, how much do you attribute that to your length?
Well, in school ball, I average about four or five blocked shots a game.
Well, you’ve got the length or wingspan.
Yeah, I’ve got the length and when I’m guarding a defender out, I try to use my length to keep them at a distance. I don’t try to play right up on them and they don’t quite realize my length and jumping ability. Some guys find it pretty frustrating.
On this year’s Briarcrest team, will you take on more of a leadership role? Do you think of yourself as a natural leader?
Yeah, well, on the high school team, I’ve been one of the youngest kids. Like last year, we had six or eight seniors on the team, so I didn’t have an opportunity to be a leader, but this year, I’m definitely going to take the role. I’m definitely going to take the role.
What about Faith? I was reading in several of the accounts that that was an important issue for you. It’s not something that I usually get into, but it came up Jabari Parker as well. Is it an important issue for you and will it factor into making your college decision?
Yeah, well, definitely when I make my decision for college, I’m definitely going to go with a coach that walks through Christ. That’s why I go to a Christian school, to be close to Christ. My parents are both Christian.
I always wonder. There are some guys that say it and there some guys that walk that life. It’s a difficult period in your life.
Yes, it is.
In terms of visits, I know you’ve gone on a couple locally. Do you have any planned?
Yeah, I mean, I may go on a couple in August. August 1st is the first day I can get back on the road, but I’m not sure yet though.
In terms of a basketball or a football school, will that factor into your decision at all? Some of the schools on your list are known more-so for their football programs. Does that matter to you at all?
No, it really doesn’t matter. It’s along the public-private lines.
In your mind, what would you like to improve upon to be “college ready”?
I definitely would like to add muscle. I’m not sure what weight. I’d like to improve my ball-handling and my shooting. Those are primarily the three things.
Can you tell the audience about your family and yourself away from the court?
Well, personally, I’m just a goofy kid off of the court. Like I said, I walk through Christ. I go to church. I’m just goofy, I’m just a regular kid, I guess.
What about your family? Are you close-knit?
Oh, yeah, definitely. We’re definitely close. I mean, especially with my twin sister, I can tell her just about everything.
Is it just the two of you or do you have any other siblings?
I have an older sister. She’s a senior at Memphis. She’s about to graduate in August.
Congratulations.
Thank you.
Do any of the guys on Team USA try to recruit you, would you say? It’s certainly an interesting dynamic.
Well, first of all, Coach Donovan was there. He’s trying to recruit me.
No, actually, what I meant was more along the lines of the players. Guys like Nate Britt or Rasheed Sulaimon.
Oh, okay, well, I wouldn’t say they really recruited me, but they talked with me about it. I mean, they’re good guys and everything. I met them and we talked, but I would just say they gave me positives about each of the schools.
In an article about you and USA Basketball, it indicated that you had taken yourself out of the competition at the very end. Is that true and, if so, why did you do it? What was your mindset behind it?
The way I was playing, I don’t think I could play that way in Brazil. So I thought it would be better for me to drop out and let someone else take that spot.
I guess that was selfless of you.
Yeah, well, hopefully. It’s just what I felt at the time.
Who do you turn to for guidance in big decisions?
Definitely my parents and my sister.
Your older one?
Actually, both of them. When we have time in August, we’re going to sit down and pray about it.
What are your overall thoughts on your performance at the LeBron James camp?
LeBron has definitely been a great camp. I’ve learned a lot. They have great teachers.
What are your goals for next year?
Well, since it’s my last year, I’d like to just have some fun.
And win a state title, I would think.
Oh, yes, definitely.
Who are some guys that you are closest to on the circuit?
Jabari Bird is one, Robert Hubbs, and probably third would be Stevie Clark.
By the way, what is Hubbs like off of the court?
Oh, he’s cool. He’s real nice. You’d like to deal with him.
Thanks, I haven’t talked to him.
He’s a real cool dude. You’d like him.
The next one is something that I was thinking about when I was coming in here. As you may have heard, they basically wiped out four AAU directors. In terms of AAU ball, how do you protect yourself against others that may have ulterior motives in helping you and helping your game? Do you ever think about stuff like that? What’s your mindset with that?
Yeah, I definitely thought about that. I just have to play my game.
I’m sure you’ve had people try to come at you and get into your life.
It happens.
But you’ve been able to keep them out?
I have so far, yeah. I just try to keep my circle tight. I don’t know what to say.
All right, can you talk about keeping your circle tight?
Oh, yeah, one of my good friends Jarnell Stokes told me on the USA trip all about that. He told me that I had to keep my circle tight. He said you don’t know who’s watching you and who’s trying to come at you.
I think that’s very important.
Yeah, that’s the way I feel too. It’s definitely going to be my family and I don’t know much from there.
And lastly, about Julius Randle, can you give the audience a scouting report about him and what was it like to play along side him?
He’s like a 6’9” point guard. He’s huge, he can get in the lane whenever he wants to. He’s a great player. He can shoot it, he can dribble, he can do whatever. I love playing with him. He makes me better every single time. He raises your game.
Who would you say is the best player you’ve had to guard so far or hardest guy to guard?
Probably Julius Randle or..no, it’s definitely Julius Randle.
6'9" Julius Randle at the LeBron James Skills Academy, Photo Provided by Position Sports
Despite being the youngest member of the United States U-18 team, 6'9" Julius Randle led the squad, which included one college sophomore and nine incoming college freshmen, in scoring, rebounding, and blocked shots.
Duke Recruit Julius Randle, Photo by Andrew Slater
When speaking of Randle, USA Men's U-18 National Team finalist and fellow Duke recruit Austin Nichols said, "He’s like a 6’9” point guard. He’s huge, he can get in the lane whenever he wants to. He’s a great player. He can shoot it, he can dribble, he can do whatever. I love playing with him. He makes me better every single time. He raises your game." In the FIBA Americas Championship game against Brazil, the tournament's home country, Randle rose to the occasion, as the McKinney, Texas native scored eighteen points and grabbed twelve rebounds to help Team USA secure the gold medal.
This was not the first championship for Randle, an avid Lakers fan, this year. In March, he led Prestonwood Christian Academy in Plano, TX, to its second state high school title in his three years. The left-handed Randle scored twenty-six points in the team's championship victory over John Paul II HS, also of Plano.
Julius Randle of the Texas Titans, Photo by Andrew Slater
Prestonwood played a very challenging schedule, competing in the Beach Ball Classic in South Carolina, the HoopHall Classic in Massachusetts, and the City of Palms in Florida, where the then-junior Randle captured the MVP award, after outplaying seniors Ricardo Gathers, Shabazz Muhammad, and Isaiah Austin in consecutive games. For the season, Randle, a MaxPreps Junior All-American, averaged 21.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists for the Lions.
On the AAU circuit, the ultra-competitive Randle forms a lethal one-two punch with 6'5" Matt Jones, a sharpshooter who has committed to Duke University, for the Texas Titans. One Titans parent described them as their version of Batman and Robin. They play with the trust, comfort, mutual respect, and seamlessness that is formed by playing together over the years on the hardwood and asphalt. The duo has helped lead the Titans to a 15-5 record during Nike's EYBL games, where Randle's mother, Carolyn, a former basketball player at University of Texas-Arlington, has been a constant and steadying presence.
Julius Randle, who veteran scout Tom Konchalski described as having "a Wayman Tisdale body," has been as dominant as any player over the duration of the Nike EYBL season. Despite being frequently double-teamed, he's leading or among the leaders in multiple statistical categories, including total points, rebounds, free throw attempts, and defensive rebounds, and in total has averaged ten rebounds and nearly eighteen points per game during EYBL play.
Point-Forward Julius Randle, Photo by Andrew Slater
In the marquee matchup of the AAU season, Randle and Jabari Parker, the consensus top two players in the class of 2013, went head-to-head in Oakland, California as part of the Nike EYBL. On a court with as many as four future professionals, Randle dominated the game, scoring 23 points and snatching 13 rebounds, while Jones helped hold Parker to fourteen points and six rebounds in the Titans' 63-59 victory. Many were hoping for a rematch at the upcoming Peach Jam, but Parker suffered a foot injury while competing with the USA U-17 team in Kaunas, Lithuania, and will reportedly be sidelined for Nike's marquee AAU event.
After Randle visited the Duke campus in Durham, NC last January, the Blue Devil coaching staff was a fixture at Randle's AAU games in April. Duke coach Jeff Capel has now developed a lengthy and strong relationship with the Texas star and his mother. The recent commitment of 6'8" wing Rodney Hood may mean that the 6'9" Randle becomes Duke's primary recruiting target in the class of 2013.
Prestonwood Christian's Julius Randle, Photo by Andrew Slater
Over the past year, Randle's work with trainers Jeff Webster and Tyler Relph, both former college basketball players, has helped him improve his ball-handling as well as his conditioning and speed by trimming his body fat through intensive cardiovascular work.
Recently, Julius Randle spoke with me about a variety of topics, including what he'll be looking for in a college program, the matchup with Jabari Parker, and playing alongside Matt Jones.
Let’s start with USA Basketball.
It was a great experience. I mean, it was a way different experience than anything I ever had. It was really amazing for me and I really enjoyed it.
I didn’t talk to you right after the matchup with Jabari, but it seemed like both of you guys were pretty emotional both before and after the game.
Yeah, yeah, it was highly anticipated all weekend. I just had to go out there and do what I had to do.
What was the mindset going in and what were you feeling after you got the win and you played great?
My mindset was pretty much the same as any other game, which is to go out there and destroy. To just go out there and be who I am. I put a lot of hard work in and it helps me to build my confidence and so I expect to see results.
[private]
I had wanted to ask you this awhile ago, but I’ll ask it now. Was winning the second state title different for you than winning it as a freshman? Do you feel more ownership or leadership on this one?
I mean, it’s always a special thing, but you win one and you just feel like you want to get another one. It’s always a special experience for me.
You had games during the regular season when you were putting up 50 points, 46 points.
(laughs) It just felt like the basket was an ocean that day.
How has playing a challenging high school schedule in events like the City of Palms, the Hoop Hall Classic, Beach Ball Classic, etc. help prepare you for AAU ball and camps like this?
I mean, it just always has me well-tested. Every game I go out there just keeps me on my toes. It forces me to always play my A-game. It mentally keeps me sharp. It develops me as a player by putting me against good players every game.
It also helps you deal with all of the traveling and everything.
Yeah, it does.
And what’s it like playing as a one-two combo with Matt Jones? You guys have that sort of coveted inside-outside game that programs really like.
I’ve been playing with Matt for years, so he’s a great player. He’s always been a hard worker and it shows up in the games. I know whenever I’m in a game with him, I can always depend on him.
Can you give the audience a quick scouting report on Matt Jones?
He's one of the best shooters in the country. He can score now in a variety of ways. He's been working hard on his defense and can guard almost anybody. He's got great size for a guard too. He's definitely one of my best friends.
In terms of visits, I thought that I heard you were going to visit Kentucky and N.C. State officially. Have you visited anything recently? I mean, I don’t know how you’d have time. And do you have any others planned?
No, no, I didn’t have time to visit any schools recently, but I got to sit down and see what visits I want to take.
If you had to choose between the two, would you choose a hard coach or more of a buddy coach?
I guess I’m just looking for a coach that I can really trust. A hard coach is fine with me because I know he’s going to push me, because I know in the back of his mind he has my best interest. That’s basically what I’m looking for.
I know some guys seem to be looking for a friend.
Yeah, no, that’s not me. I’m just looking for a coach that’s going to push me to be the best player that I can physically be. That’s all I can ask for.
You were talking before about going out and destroying people. The one thing that I noticed about your game is that you have this sort of internal fire that if somebody knocks you, if somebody challenges you, that you sort of have this really competitive thing inside of you that you don’t necessarily see with a lot of big guys. Is that an accurate statement do you think?
Yeah, I just go out there and play with a chip on my shoulder. Anything, the littlest thing, can piss me off.
(laugh)
Yeah, anything can light a fire under me. I mean, any extra motivation is fine, but I’m self-motivated.
That’s what I was getting at. What about a leadership role for you? Do you view yourself as a leader at this point?
Yeah, I mean, I try to be vocal a little bit, but I also go out there and show my teammates the level of effort that they need to bring.
Did you have that on the USA team as well?
Oh, yeah.
I didn’t know what the dynamics were.
Marcus Smart was probably our leader on that team. He’s the big-time leader. We kind of just wanted to take the identity of the team, just hard workers. We just try and prepare for the games and stuff like that.
At this point in your career, what do you view yourself as? More of a face-up player or a back-to-the-basket guy?
I definitely feel that I’m more of a face-up guy at this point. I definitely feel more comfortable facing up. It’s something I’ve worked on to get me to this point. I like to play on the perimeter against great defenders and then take the smaller defenders on the post.
I would say the one thing that has noticeably improved in your game over the last year is your handle. You’ve gone from doing maybe 2-3 dribbles and pull up to now bringing the ball up the court and looking like you’re more comfortable putting it on the floor in half-court sets. I used to think it was a bit of a vanity thing, but you turned it into an asset. I know you liked Lebron James. Was that the sort of model you were going for as a 6’8,” 6’9” guy? Was that the kind of mold that you were going for?
Yes, just a point-forward or whatever.
Yeah, that’s what I mean.
Yeah, I feel like I can now do a lot of other things on the court. It’s just given me mobility.
In the past, you mentioned that one of your long-term goals was to win an NCAA Championship in your home area of Dallas.
Yeah, it’s a goal of mine. That’s just something I want to do.
Actually, speaking of Texas, do you have a rivalry with the Harrison twins at all?
No, not really. I mean, I haven’t played them in a while. They’re great players, so when we play, it’s always a battle.
For the others who don’t know, describe your relationship with Coach (Jeff) Webster.
I’ve known him since the fifth grade. He’s always had my back. I know he’s always going to be there for me.
In terms of your recruitment, what are the factors that will help you ultimately decide on a college?
Number one is a coach that I know I can trust, number two is education, and number three is of course going to develop me. Those are really the three things.
Do you know when you’re going to cut down on your list of schools?
I’m going to sit down and think about what schools I really want to get serious about and I’ll probably decide after the AAU season, after the summer probably. I haven’t really thought about the number of schools that I want to cut it down to.
(Another interviewer passing through) What’s your general interest level of Kentucky?
I mean, I guess it’s generally pretty high. They’ve been recruiting me since my freshman year.
What would you say you’ve worked on the most over the past year?
Just my in-between game.
What are your expectations heading into the Peach Jam?
I mean, I go in with the expectation that we’ll win it.
Who would you say is the best defense against you?
I guess I’d say box-and-one.
When you see someone for the first time, like for example in this game, James Young, what are you trying to establish? What is your mindset heading into it?
My mindset is pretty much the same, even if it is for the first time. It’s just attack, attack, attack.
In terms of that issue, do you think you have to intimidate your opponent with aggression?
No, no, it’s just my mindset of attacking.
Before you were mentioning about playing with a chip on your shoulder. Away from the court, has it ever been an issue in terms of you shutting it off? I mean, you seem to be a pretty happy kid.
No, it really hasn’t been a problem for me. I’ve been able to separate the two pretty well.
When you talk with college basketball coaches, do you prefer to talk about purely basketball or other sort of life things?
It really doesn’t matter to me. Any conversation is fine.
Sure. I remember that you were a Lakers fan. What did you think of their acquisition of Steve Nash and what do you think their chances are next year?
I mean, I just hope they play good next year and they have a chance to win it.
Do rankings matter to you at all?
No, not at all. I just want to be the best that I can be.
Is trust an issue for you? Before you were saying that you wanted to be able to trust the coaches.
No, I mean, I have my circle of people that I trust.
I saw that you tweeted about being a dream chaser on NBA draft night and why you wanted to be drafted two years from that night.
It’s just something I set out to do. It’s a goal of mine.
What do your mother and your sister think of all of this? I know that they’re very tight with you. You had told me that you loved them to death.
They just support me in all of the different things that I do. They make me have the confidence to move forward and work. It’s unconditional.
Do you hate doing interviews? (laugh)
(laughs) Oh no, it’s fine.
In terms of position, what do you think of yourself as?
I like to think of myself as a point-forward.
You work with Tyler Relph…
Yeah, he pushes me. He’s been a great trainer for me.
Physically, one thing that’s clearly noticeable about you this year versus last year is that you’ve gotten leaner. What’s been the key to that? Cardio? Nutrition? Changing your diet?
I would say diet and cardio. That’s what I would tell anybody to work on. It’s helped me a lot.
What are you down to in terms of weight and body fat?
I’m down to 235 and I don’t really know my body fat.
Speaking of recommendations, one of your teammates out here was a talented freshman named Diamond Stone. What would be your advice be for a freshman like him? I mean, you’re not that far removed.
I would say don’t get caught up into the hype. Just focus on yourself and getting better and how you can help your team. Don’t get caught up in all of the rest of the stuff that will come at you.
Because you were once that highly touted freshman..not that you’re that old now.
Yeah, exactly. I feel like I was in those shoes just a little while ago. I know what they’re going through.
What is your relationship like with the Duke coaches?
I mean, I have a great relationship with them. I talk to them all of the time. They talk to my mom a lot. You know, it’s going to come down to a trust thing.
Would you say you trust them?
Yeah, I’d say I trust them. It’s just going to be about what system fits best for me.
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