Tag Archives: Nolan Smith Duke

Duke Basketball

Five questions for Duke Senior Nolan Smith

Nolan Smith - Photo Lance King for BDN

DURHAM - A portion of the men's basketball team met with the media today in Cameron Indoor Stadium and BDN was there in order to bring you the latest.  Here are five questions with Duke Senior Nolan Smith.

What are your general thoughts going into the Boston College game?

It's a must win for us.  It's going to be a very tough game and it's a conference game, so we've got to come out and compete, bring a lot of energy, it's just a must win.  We've got to get the win.

Nobody has ever led the ACC in both scoring and assists.  How do you manage to do all the things you've got to do? [Ken Tysiac, News and Observer]

Just stay in great shape.  I'm always doing something extra after practice like the tread mill and working with Coach Will [William Stephenson, Duke Strength Coach] One Kyrie went down, Coach K asked me to step up and do more, that he'd ask a lot more of me.  I'm just doing whatever it takes to win basketball games, be it an assist or score.  I just want to continue to play at a height level.

There was some concerne when you banged your knee at N.C. State.  Has that healed and are you feeling good?

I feel great.  We're getting a good fast paced practice in, but we also have time to get some treatments and rest, so I feel great right now.  I feel like if coach plays me those minutes  I can still do it and feel great.  I use ice bags every day after practice and they are doing everything they can to keep Kyle and me fresh so we can get those minutes.

There are a dozen games left in the season, half of those in Cameron.  At this point in the season is it in the back of your mind that you are playing your final few games in Durham?

Each game does, especially at home.  Each game I know is closer to being my last game here.  I didn't start thinking about it until recently when I sat down with my Mom to talk and reflect back and she just told me to finish strong.  She's been my biggest coach and support so each game will be very important for myself and my team.  I want to go out in Cameron as strong as I can.

And does this apply to your senior teammate Kyle Singler as well?

Definitely, yes.  We are very close friends and I've talked to him about because the end is near.  So we want to go out winning basketball games.

[All questions asked by BDN unless noted]

Duke Basketball

Nolan Smith named ACC Player of the Week

Noaln Smith is on a roll - Photo Lance King for BDN

DURHAM, N.C.- Senior guard Nolan Smith was named the ACC Player of the Week on Monday after he led the Blue Devils to wins over UNC Greensboro and Miami last week.

In the two games, Smith averaged 27.0 points, 7.0 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game while shooting 63.0 percent (17-of-27) from the field and 63.6 percent (7-of-11) from three-point range. He also had a 7.0:1 assist-to-turnover ratio for the week.

Against UNC Greensboro, Smith tallied 26 points, five rebounds and nine assists with zero turnovers to help head coach Mike Krzyzewski  move into second on the NCAA career victories list with 880 wins. In Duke's ACC opener against Miami, Smith scored a season-high 28 points and finished with five assists and five rebounds.

Duke is now 13-0 on the season and will host UAB at 7 p.m. on Wednesday in Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Duke Basketball

Nolan Smith more comfortable with the PG position

Nolan Smith - Photo - Lanc King of Lance Images for BDN

Duke point guard Nolan Smith spoke of getting more accustomed to running the point guard position mentioning Jon Scheyer, his transition and the positions requirements.  Check out BDN's post game interview with Smith who talks more on the focus it'll take  as the season continues.

Just press play -

Duke Basketball

Nolan Smith talks CTC and the coming season

Tyler Thornton makes his debut while Nolan Smith kicks off his swansong season - photo copyright BDN Photo

DURHAM - Nobody is more pumped for the season than Duke's Nolan Smith and he shared his thoughts with members of the media on Thursday afternoon.  BDN brings you up close and personal with the senior All American.

Just press play -

Duke Basketball

BDN has 10 Questions for Duke Senior Nolan Smith

 
Ever the comedian Nolan Smith poses with incoming Duke freshman Tyler Thornton - copyright BDN Photo

DURHAM, N.C.- One of the top players in the N.C. Pro Am is Duke senior Nolan Smith who has used the event to show off his skills which are improving daily.  Smith has been working hard in the off season,  attending the Chris Paul and LeBron James Camp and he is playing for the U.S. Select Team.  Smith has dazzled the crowds at N.C. Central with his play has brought the crowds to it's feet on several occasions.  It's no secret that Duke will likely be the pre season number one team in the nation and a big part of that is Smith's senior leadership.  I caught up to Nolan for a one on one chat and hope Blue Devil Nation fans will enjoy the Q & A session with the player everybody wants to hear from.

You just dropped 43 points in a most impressive fashion here at the N.C. Pro Am.  I understand that you out a 1000 shots up in a workout earlier today as well.

Andre Dawkins and myself got about 1000 shots in today and I just carried that over to tonight.  It's been non stop work and a long hard summer and when I come out here I've got to show what I've worked on.  I just wanted to come out here, play hard and make plays.

You just got back from Vegas where you were you joined teammate Kyle Singler.  Can you talk about that experience?

Playing with the U.S. Select game was a great experience.  I got a chance to see where my game is as I get ready for the next level.  It will pay off this coming season where I will show how hard I've worked.  Testing myself against those guys [U.S. Team] was amazing.  The guard that were out there were great and I got a good feel where I am at. 

As good as you were at years end with the win over Butler, you seem much improved in my eyes.  Do you feel like you're playing at another level now?

Yes.  Getting a lot of shots up this summer and going through the reps has helped and I've gotten stronger.  I just wanted the Duke fans and people in this area that I didn't come back this season to mess around and not go for another ring.

What do you feel you need to work on most before going to the next level?

Shooting.  At the next level you get a lot of open shots.  People tell me that in the NBA you have to hit those open shots.  So if my shot becomes real consistent and I go to the basket being strong enough to take contact then my game will be ready.

There is a pretty good freshman named Kyrie Irving joining you in this years backcourt.  That's a pretty lethal combination.  Can anybody stop you?

I would like to think nobody can stop us.  I've seen him play out here and the talent he has, he can score, but he is unselfish and will pass the ball.  We've got a great relationship and chemistry is going to show for us.  I can't wait for the season to start.

Will the two of you be like dual point guards at times this season?

Oh yeah, definitely.  Both of us can score and both of us just want to make plays.  When we go out there we're just going to think about winning and everything else will take care of itself.

You were voted class president as a senior in high school, you love to smile and bring smiles, you tweet with the best of them and brought the house down with your antics during last seasons Countdown to Craziness.  Where does that sense of fun come from?

My sense of humor comes from who I am, my family and who my Dad was.  I love this game and I love the fans who love these games so I always feel like I owe them.  They're appreciative of my game and Duke.  I love letting them know about me and who I am and I try to share some of that.

Your play resemble that of an All American.  Do you feel like you should be first or second team going into the season?

My mom told me good things come to those who wait.  If you try to go get it too soon it'll never happen so I have been patient and I am thankful

What can you do for an encore after averaging 39 ppg at the N.C. Pro Am?

That's it for me and I'd like to be here but I have to go to New York to be with the Select Team.

You've tasted a national championship.  How hungry is Nolan Smith?

Very hungry.  Probably hungrier than last year.  Last year we didn't know we could do it and this year you know you can do it.  I had a chance to talk to Lamar Odom and he just said, it doesn't get much better than winning championships.  He said to go out there and relax and things will come your way. 

Be sure to sign up for BDN's Twitter page where we update from events like the N.C. Pro Am and for full site access join BDN Premium.