Tag Archives: Duke Basketball Recruting

2015 Prospect Tyler Dorsey Hears From Duke

Tyler Dorsey

One of the better prospects on the west coast is 6-3 shooting guard Tyler Dorsey out of Bellflower, California.  He's rated in many of the services top ten players in the class of 2015 and the top guard by many in his class.  In fact one of my AAU circuit friends and a well respected talent evaluator from the west coast, Dinos Tragonis, said the Dorsey would be a good fit with Duke and the way they use their lead guards in a chat we had.  Dorseys Dad was a multi sport athlete, so there is some lineage at work here.  "He's a confident player and aggressive on both ends of the court.  I see him as a college two guard and an NBA point," said Tragonis.  Dorsey was often seen this past weekend with the ball in his hands, meaning he was running the point as often as he was what many refer to as the shooting or two guard spot.  It was clear to me that he was still getting accustomed to the point but he certainly is what I would term a hybrid guard and hybrids have become all the rage in the college game of late with their ability to cause match up problems for the opposing team.  If you have followed the Blue Devils over the years, you realize that Coach Mike Krzyzewski does not always play traditional positions but more match ups., so I can see Tragonis point.  It was about a decade ago now that I broke a Tragonis Belmont Shores product to Duke named DeMarcus Nelson who was the epitome of a hybrid guard.  What I am saying is that Tragonis knows what kind of players the Blue Devils are looking for in that he's had a long relationship with the staff.  "Dorsey can be as good a distributor as a scorer if he has good players around him," said Tragonis and it was shortly after that when I noticed Dorseys knowledge of the game as he tried to direct teammates with a constant chatter to the right position on the court.  And like many good players, you could see the frustration on his face when guys were not spacing properly or when they would not carry through on the court to loosen up the passing lanes.  Anyhow, Dorsey is a young man to keep and eye on and now that he is on the radar, check out the latest on him in our interview below where he speaks of Duke contact and more.

 

Now that the contact period is open for contact with collegiate coaches again, have you heard from Duke?

They [private]  texted me early this morning. I as going to call them back during the break. They just wanted to see how I was doing at the camp saying they had heard good things and to call them when I got a chance. I forgot it was the 15th and woke up and found all these text messages on my phone. It's going to start picking up. I will be more pro active seeking better relationships with the coaches.

Who was the first school to offer you?

Louisville was the first school to offer but no new teams in the fray.

When will you trim your list in a serious fashion?

Right now, I'm open to any team in the country and just starting to weigh my options.

Do you have an early idea on when you may ultimately make a decision of what school you will attend?

Maybe during my junior season or at the end of the summer.

Do any schools currently stand out in the process?

Arizona is standing out and USC and UCLA are the home schools and I am just trying to figure out if I want to stay at home. UConn, Louisville and Gonzaga stand out as well.

What are some of the most important factors for you when it comes to choosing a school?

It just depends on how the coach wants to play me and how he can get me to the next level mainly.

When you make your decision, who will be involved or council you on the process?

It will be a family decision with my parents.

Any visits coming up?

I have two visits to Arizona and Arizona State coming up maybe a week after the NBA camp, but no set dates yet.

Did you like the fact that Duke contacted you?

It's kind of a big deal but the name of the school doesn't mean as much to me as a relationship with the coach and getting to that next level while looking at who they're bringing in.

Despite the Blue Devils contact, it is clear that there is work to be done if they continue to show keen interest. We should know in the coming month or so when Coach Krzyzewski can get out and get a view whether Duke is to become a serious player for the young prospects services. [/private]

Decisions loom large for Duke Basketball

Before Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski can map out how he will use his  2012-13 roster,  the dust has to clear on many looming decisions.  To mention that a lot is going on behind the scenes right now within the program is like being Captain Obvious.  The Blue Devils, like other schools, will meet with players individually where they'll be told what is expected of them next season and how they will be used in what many call exit interviews.

These meetings will at times allow players who are not happy with their projected roles to make a move and or transfer.  While transfers are rare, they are a part of the game and the rumor mill has been full of talk.  Now, I am not saying Duke is destined for transfers, only that one could happen and the public will  not know until GoDuke.com announces them in an official manner.

Already waiting in the wings could be a transfer into the program in Trey Zeigler, a player who is leaving Central Michigan.  Zeigler is visiting several schools including Pitt this week, but the Blue Devils reportedly feel he could help their team.  Zeigler has the ability to guard the 6-5 big guard types and would add some experience but we'll only know how this one turns out at the end of April or in early May for his decision will not be made until other things are settled.

It's worth noting that Krzyzewski and Duke have rarely accepted transfers but the ones which have joined the royal blue have been successful.  Roshown McCleod and Dahntay Jones certainly made their impact felt. 

The big key, at the moment, hinges on the decision of rising senior Mason Plumlee.  The question is will he join his eldest brother Miles by signing with an agent to achieve his goal of reaching the NBA or will he come back to Duke to play a year with his youngest brother, Marshall.

Should Mason head to the draft with an agent, it leaves a huge hole in the middle at Duke and that's when a Blue Devil recruiting target, Tony Parker's decision becomes oh-so important.  Duke has been recruiting Parker for a good long time and Krzyzewski has stayed steadfast and consistent during the process.  But Parker has been the reason for burgeoning gray hairs in many fans in that his comments are often inconsistent or hard to read.

Oddly, Parker is rumored to be more likely to come if Mason leaves, but it would make sense for him to want Mason around to learn from as a freshman and play beside.  But then there is the possibility that Duke might lose Parker and the middle of the three Plumlee brothers and that would suggest for some tough times in the paint in Durham.

Most Duke fans feel it should be a no brainer for Tony Parker in that Duke has a specific need for a player with his skill set, but if it were only that simple.  Regardless, Parker can all but guarantee himself going to one of the nation's elite programs and playing right away if he chooses Duke.

As for Plumlee, his decision is a little less clear for perceived results.  He has long been considered an NBA prospect and some feel when you are guaranteed a few million bucks you have to take it, but other factors are at play.  This year's draft is fast becoming loaded with prospects and can he get a team to guarantee he would be their pick  in the first round if he falls to them?

Should Plumlee return, he will anchor the post at Duke and pardon the pun, but be the big man on campus, likely being considered for many preseason honors and getting a few sleek magazine covers as the Blue Devils' best player.  On the other hand, who can ever blame a kid for taking the money if it is there for sure?  Personally, I do not feel that his return will hurt his stock for I just cannot see a player with his physical abilities regressing.

Plumlee has until April 10th per the NCAA to announce his decision to enter the draft, but he could actually say he is coming back and still change his mind by April 29th, which is the NBA deadline.  Plumlee has yet to make his decision but it will surely happen soon and Duke fans are sitting on pins and needles in anticipation.

Then the Blue Devils are in contention for the nation's top player in Shabazz Muhammad, who includes them alongside UCLA and Kentucky.  Duke has an opening for another one and done player but this will not be an easy one to close on and right now most feel UCLA and Kentucky are ahead of the Blue Devils in the process.  My understanding is that Duke has been and will remain in the process and who wouldn't remain in the chase for a player like Muhammad, who can shift the balance of power instantly?

Another player which would add a different skill set to the roster is Amile Jefferson, a sleek, but slender forward out of Philadelphia.  Jefferson is not the answer in the post for Duke but he is a player which can help in the block per his skill set.  Like Parker and Muhammad, his decision should come around April 11th and that will be a day when the Duke message boards will be non-stop buzzing.

The attraction to Jefferson is the fact he provides different options with his potential and he's a team player, which is always needed.  Jefferson is also a top-notch student.  N.C. State recruiting types are supremely confident that they are the favorites but we'll have to wait and see for Duke seems to be in as good a shape as anyone.

There is a lot of talk about the Duke program slipping out there as well, but if a piece or two fall into place or even more, then Duke is a national title contender and no matter what happens, they'll contend in the ACC.  We live in a time when talking heads can influence society with falsehoods and tainted perceptions and the Blue Devils are a victim of that now more than ever.

In the end, the Blue Devils always seem to push away the critics and force them to start fawning over the program again from the fact they win and do so as consistently as anyone.  Okay, they do so a lot more than most, but reading some of the preseason top 25 projected polls would have you think the sky is falling.

Make no mistake, Duke is a college basketball juggernaut and they won 27 games against a difficult schedule, so to write off them or any of their players would be a mistake.  But it is clear that Duke wants and needs to add to the mix and that is why the pending decisions are critical in many ways.

So strap yourself in for the next few weeks will be a wild ride and if you want more, join BDN Premium where we constantly update what we are hearing provided they are fact based or from consistent sources.

 

Prospect Update – Amile Jefferson to attend Countdown to Craziness

BDN Premium has the latest from Amile Jefferson - Photo property of BDN Photo

One of the top players out of the state of Pennsylvania, Amile Jefferson has many schools trying to gain his services. The forward had a great summer AAU season in which he impressed almost everyone who came out to watch him.  During the AAU season, Amile also played alongside Duke recruit Savon Goodman. The two have built quite the chemistry playing together.  BDN got a chance to speak with Amile and discuss his summer, recruiting as well as his interest in Duke.

First off  could I get your current height and weight?

Sure, I’m about 6’8, 185-190lbs.

You had a busy AAU season.  Can you tell us how your summer went?

I think my summer went well. I played on a really good team this summer, Team Philly.  We did very well I thought.  We played great as a unit and we played up and did a lot of damage and we won a lot. We went out to Vegas and we won that and I thought it was big, how we played as a team. I thought I did well leading our team and being the leader, keeping the guys [private] on and playing hard.

Did you enjoy your time in Vegas?

Oh yeah, definitely.  It’s a little hot at times but I enjoyed it!

Definitely some big time heat. Earlier this summer you played at the Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions.  Did you get a chance to check out any of the schools or their facilities?

We actually played in Cameron, and you know that was about it.  I didn’t check out either of the schools down there.

Can you give a current list of schools that are recruiting you right now?

Sure. Villanova, Wake Forest, West Virginia, Florida State, Georgetown, Duke, Stanford, most of the Philly schools have been in contact a lot.

Do you have any sort of timetable for making a decision?

I’m not sure as of right now.  As of now I haven’t been on one unofficial visit outside of Philadelphia. I’ve talked to coaches starting in June when they could call, but as of right now I have no idea where I want to be.

So you had an open gym yesterday I believe? Is that correct?

Yeah, we were supposed to, I believe, but we didn’t.  Yesterday was actually my first day of school, and we didn’t.  But assistant coach Nate James did stop by and I did get a chance to see him briefly, but we didn’t have the open gym.

Have you spoken with any of the Duke coaches?

Well I went to Duke's camp back in freshman year, so I got to talk with most of them there.  And James has called me as well.

Now when you eventually do make your college decision, who will you look to to help with that decision?

I’ll definitely look to my family.  Especially my father, he’s been on the AAU circuit with me since the beginning. Everywhere I’ve been, he’s been. Definitely my head AAU coach, he’s given me a lot of advice and I’ve been playing with him since I’ve been about 10, so I definitely will look to those two. Lonnie Lowry, he runs our AAU squad basically, so I’ll look to him.

Just one last question now, do you have any visits planned for the upcoming college basketball season?

I’m hoping to get to a lot of stuff this fall.  I’m hoping to get to Duke.  Countdown to Craziness I believe it is?

Yeah, that’s what it’s called.

Yeah, I’m hoping to get down there to start to get a feel of schools so I can start to think of where I want to be.  So, hopefully this fall will be a busy one, and hopefully I’ll be able to get out and see some schools.

Alright, thanks a lot Amile, appreciate your time.

Yeah, no problem.

Watzone's take - Duke is still following the progress of Jefferson who brings some very attractive skills to the table and is a solid character kid.  The hold up could be his size where he needs to put on some muscle and show interest or take to the weight room.[/private]