DURHAM, N.C. - Two Duke Blue Devils were a part of another championship as rising sophomores Ryan Kelly and Andre Dawkins helped D-One to the title at the N.C. Pro Am.
D-One scored 135 points to defeat Hendrick's who had buy 124 in an All Star Game atmosphere where defense was in short supply. But that doesn't mean guys were not making plays and Kelly and Dawkins showed a lot of drive to be a part of the last team standing on Sunday afternoon.
The two Blue Devils were joined by new New York Knick and UNC alum Raymond Felton and for Pack standout Josh Powell. Felton did a good job running the team and ended the contest with 28 points but it was Josh Powell's [33 points] play which helped D-One control the inside game.
Andre Dawkins had a stretch where he missed five straight shots, but like a shooter he kept putting the ball up and ended the game with 18 points and as usual the vast majority of his points came on the three ball.
Kelly added 16 points but played all facets of the game well and was named the winner of the Rodney Rodger's Spirit Award before the game started. During the presentation it was stated that Kelly was the player most guys wanted to play with, meaning he is a good teammate who actually plays team ball instead of always looking for his shot.
Another former UNC player Jawad Williams added 16 for the losing team.
This years event shed a lot of light on off season improvement of several Blue Devil players and we'll recap each one and hear from Ryan Kelly shortly, so stay tuned to BDN as we wind up our annual coverage on the N.C. Pro Am.
Ryan Kelly continues to show improvement. Photo copyright Rick Crank special to BDN
DURHAM, N.C. - There were some solid individual efforts during Tuesday evenings N.C. Pro Am but it was Nolan Smith who stole the buzz. Smith looked over to his Dreamwork's coach and bench with 5 seconds on the first half clock of his game, he then turned and left three pairs of sneakers on the court as he weaved through the defense to score at the buzzer as the crowd showed their approval.
Smith would go on to score 43 points and his moves dazzled the crowd bringing them to their feet or drawing multiple reactions. In short, there was nobody who could stop Smith from invoking his will. Smith told BDN after the game that he had been working non stop to improve and touched on his preparation to go to New York to be with the U.S. Select team.
Smith had help from two Plumlee brothers, no, not Miles and Mason, but Mason and Marshall. The youngest Plumlee a rising senior at Christ School Arden started the game by jumping center and scored 6 points to go to go with 2 blocks. His brother Mason brought about some of the evenings loudest roars of approval with his emphatic dunks and ability to handle the ball in the open court.
Plumlee [Mason] finished with 15 points, grabbing 7 boards and his most impressive stat was his team high 5 assists. BDN also got word that Mason and Miles were selected as counselors at the Adidas Nations event and they will head to Minnesota where their brother Marshall will play in the event.
All of the Blue Devils had their moments in the win which included Nolan putting it off the backboard for Mason to throw down a dunk. Mason matched up most of the evening with Jawad Williams.
The next game featured four Blue Devils where the three freshman faced off with Ryan Kelly's team. On this night Kyrie coasted along with 13 points but he had moments where he showed I can do what I want when I want. He dished several assists and his teammate Tyler Thornton added 4 points.
Josh Hairston scored 12 points and is averaging 15.0 ppg in his last two outings. One might think that these Dukies played on the winning team but it was a gallant effort by Ryan Kelly which enabled his depth shy D-One team to defeat Hendrick 79-75.
A late Irving bucket cut the lead to two in a sea saw affair, but that was as close as they would come for Kelly answered by finishing off an alley-oop dunk. Kelly finished the game with 21 points.
"We just got out in transition and played confident. I've been working hard all summer and being able to showcase that work is great. It was just our night," said Kelly.
In the night cap Miles Plumlee took to the court where he was greeted by former Los Angeles Laker and current Atlanta Hawk Josh Powell. The current NBA star coming off a championship scored a game high 27 points and at times taught Plumlee a lesson. But the eldest Plumlee never backed down and got his shot off with a variety of moves on his way to 19 points.
Plumlee had to play the whole way in the middle where his team had to add two players due to no-shows. The athletic Plumlee can only benefit from playing tough competition.
Andre Dawkins and Seth Curry attended the games but did not play. The N.C. State guys are preparing to go to the Bahama's while the UNC guys were once again no-shows. BDN learned from a good source that the Heels would be there for the play offs. The games continue this coming Tuesday as the event starts to wrap up.
Be sure to sign up for BDN Twitter for the latest updates from the Pro Am and the recruiting trail. And we have more on Nolan Smith coming your way in the morning. BDn's stats differ a bit from the official stats but we assure you they are accurate.
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