Tag Archives: Javin DeLaurier

Duke Basketball

Duke Basketball Press Conference Tidbits

Duke Basketball tidbits - Reddish will not play in Canada.

Here are some highlights from Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski and players Marques Bolden, Javin DeLaurier and R.J. Barret before the teams trip to Canada.

Quick hits -

  • Marques Bolden said that the freshman are fundamentally sound and know how to do the little things already.
  • Bolden was asked about the transfer rumors a season ago and said it was never a true option for him.
  • Bolden said that much of his offseason work concentrated on his motor and eating habits.
  • Javin DeLaurier worked out with teammate Justin Robinson and his Dad David in the offseason where he took kickboxing lessons and also yoga while in San Antonio.
  • DeLaurier said his role was to lead as an upperclassman and that he joked with Bolden that they were the older guys now.  He joked that the freshman came up and asked if there were practices on Saturdays in which they laughed.
  • The freshman are especially close and work hard and are ready to listen according to DeLaurier.
  • R.J. Barrett said he was excited to return home with Duke and see his friends.
  • Barrett said he had worked on his outside game and hoped people backed off him in games.
  • Barrett said that a big part of his game was to make plays and that he could run the point if needed.
  • Barrett said he has achieved good things while in Canada and grew up watching Andrew Wiggins and that the younger generation now looks up to him.
  • Barrett said Javin was one of the hardest workers he has seen.
  • Barrett said that Krzyzewski just allows him to play and he was one of the funniest guys he knows.
  • Krzyzewski said he just wanted his players to play to their strengths without position worries.
  • Krzyzewski glowed when he talked about Zion Williamson calling him a great player and young man on and off the court.  He said his weight was proportioned to his body type and that he had good lateral quickness.

 

Duke Basketball

Coach K Talks Practices to Date

Coach K

The first Mike Krzyzewski coached Duke team to take an offseason foreign trip was the 1983 group to France.  Freshman at that time could not make the journey per NCAA rules, but that has now changed.

Thank goodness for said changes, in that Duke will rely heavily on freshman this season and two of them in Tre Jones and Cam Reddish will be sidelined for their upcoming Canadian trip.

It was announced earlier today, that Cam Reddish is hobbled by a groin injury and that Tre Jones had yet to recover fully from an issue with his hip.  While both players will be ready to go for the season and are participating in some drills, Krzyzewski will err on the side of caution and sit his prized freshman but did call the injuries minor.

Duke has completed seven of ten allowed practices to date.  "So far, I couldn't be more pleased with the chemistry that has developed and these guys have been really fun to coach," said Krzyzewski.

Krzyzewski also said they have not been pushing conditioning as of yet, stating that his team was in decent shape but the staff did not want to push them too early. "For this trip, it is impossible to put in your entire system, so we are trying to keep it simple and see how our guys play."

As for the veterans, Krzyzewski said that Javin DeLaurier has played great and not just good.  And that Marques Bolden was healthy and adjusting to a new position and how he will be used.

Other notes from his press conference were that Jack White has lost ten pounds and is shooting the ball better per Krzyzewski and Alex O'Connell has been playing well.

The Duke coach also said the team would run a different offense this season with five men out and more motion.  And there was a strong hint that the team would get back to playing some man to man defense.

Before Kryzewsski came out for the media, R.J. Barrett took to the podium.  He was asked if there were instances where he could run the point as a lead ball handler in which he said yes.  Krzyzewski would later say that as well, "Having those two guys (Jones, Reddish) out will hurt our ball handling for the trip and there will be more emphasis with R.J. being out there.  Alex O'Connell will help and Zion (Williamson)  will be all over the place "

Krzyzewski also said this years group would be good defensively and that they would do a lot of things differently than a season ago on offense where he expects the players to have the freedom to create.

Duke will leave for the Toronto area on Sunday where they will play three games in six days.

GAME SCHEDULE
August 15, 2018, 7 p.m. ET Game 1 vs. Ryerson University Hershey Centre 
August 17, 2018, 6 p.m. ET Game 2 vs. University of Toronto Hershey Centre 
August 19, 2018, 3 p.m. ET Game 3 vs. McGill University Place Bell

 

Duke Basketball

Javin DeLaurier Teaching Freshman the Duke Way

Javin DeLaurier

One of the players likely to play a major role on the coming seasons Duke Basketball team will be rising junior Javin DeLaurier.  In his third year at Duke, DeLaurier hopes off-season work will take his game to another level.

We spoke to the rising junior during the recent Coach K Academy in Durham, N.C. which helps to fund the Emily K Center.  DeLaurier shares how he will embrace his role as an upperclassman to teach the Duke way to the incoming freshman class while at the same time working to improve his game.

You're like the old guy on this team now.   How does that feel?

Yeah.  It's weird to think about.  My third year came around pretty quick -- quicker than I expected but at the same time I'm excited to get these young guys here and to teach them how we do things here at Duke.

What has the staff shared with you about teaching the newcomers?

The entire coaching staff, including Coach Will (Stephens, Duke Strength Coach) has stressed the importance to all of us upperclassman to really be leaders and set an example for these young guys coming in.  They're super talented but as freshman it takes some adjustment.

During his press conference, Coach K said he wants to see what you guys look like together; not just the freshman but the upperclassman as well who will all play larger roles.  Can you share a little bit about what they've shared with you about this thus far.

You know it is just going to be different this year than last year.  We obviously lost two talented bigs in Marvin (Bagley) and Wendell (Carter) and I might find myself more in the post.  That is something I have to prepare for.

When you look at the roster it would appear that you are one of two post guys projected to play significant minutes..

Yeah.  No doubt, no doubt.

There will be a lot of pressure to get on the boards and that kind of thing...

Yes sir.  I know there will be some guys bigger and heavier than me in the post.  I am looking to learn how to guard guys, especially guys who are bigger and heavier than me and developing more confidence to score down there.

What will you be working on the rest of the off-season?

I am looking to build my confidence up, my skill level and be more of a scoring threat.

Duke Basketball

A Vital Role Awaits Javin DeLaurier

Javin DeLaurier

One of the players who will play a vital role for the Duke Blue Devils next season is Javin DeLaurier.  Firstly, he will be one of the most experienced players on the team and therefore will be counted on to teach newcomers the Duke way of doing things.

DeLaurier started in five games for the Blue Devils last season and he has played in 45 games in his previous two years at Duke.  As a junior, DeLaurier will take on a key role in the front court where Duke is losing both Marvin Bagley III and Wendell Carter Jr, to the NBA.

Duke will have just three big men or post players on next seasons roster in DeLaurier, Marques Bolden and Antonio Vrankovic.  That is a stark departure from the riches they enjoyed a season ago.

Incoming freshman Cam Reddish and Zion Williamson will most certainly have their moments down low, but neither of them are considered a center type of player.  While Duke plays what is known as a positionless team by head coach Mike Krzyzewski; DeLaurier will be asked to guard players bigger than him at times.

So far, DeLaurier has career highs in 30 minutes against Clemson, 13 points against South Dakota and 11 rebounds versus Elon during his two-year career.  Just having some experience will lend as a valuable teacher to the younger players as they learn what the college game is about.

As a rising junior and an upperclassman, DeLaurier will establish yet another new role next season.  Duke will be taking a trip to Canada in August and it will be interesting to see how they blend five newcomers in with a handful of experienced players who are expected to play.

One of the players who should play a key role in the rotation on this seasons team will  no doubt be Javin DeLaurier.

The Key Factors for DeLaurier -

  • Play under control.
  • Cut down on turnovers.
  • Continue to work on being a solid rebound guy.
  • Work on becoming a better free throw shooter.

In closing, DeLaurier played 13 minutes per game a season ago, but knocked down just 22 of 42 free throw attempts.  On the other hand, he was 54 of 81 from the field which is a solid 67% clip showing he can clean things up around the rim.

With his athleticism, DeLaurier is capable of playing a larger role this season.  Much of that will depend on having chemistry with basically a new roster while demonstrating more consistent basketball habits.

Duke Basketball

Duke Locker Room Video Interviews

Marvin Bagley, Wendell Carter and Javin DeLaurier had a few things to say after the huge Duke win over Iona.  Check out what they had to say -

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