Originally Posted by
Savage
I have been to each of the seven Academy’s. I thought I would comment since I have such a blast each year.
A few comments:
- There are some REALLY good players at camp, and even more who totally suck. I’d like to think I’m somewhere in between.
- All the players (and former Duke players) are really great guys. You will definitely make some good friends.
- Most the guys are in their 40s, but lots are in their 50s+ (the oldest player, Maury Fisher, is ~73, and he knocks down a three pointer or more almost every game).
- Regardless, the teams are picked to be very even in terms of talent. The draft is really fun (everyone is a #1 pick), with Bilas on video analyzing each pick. A typical intro would be, “Smith is a scrappy player who usually scores off hustle plays. That’s basket code, for ‘you suck’…” Bilas is hilarious.
- You will play really hard or you will get yelled at by Carawell, Gene Banks, Laettner, Duhon, or, more likely, Wojo and Collins. Actually, you will be yelled at regardless.
- As a result of playing two games each day at full speed (each player plays about half the game in a forced rotation), you will get extremely tired. You will also get some bruises and floor burns as a result of chasing loose balls in Cameron. I still have some from three weeks ago…. which is a source of great pride.
- As someone mentioned, you eat all the meals together so lots of great stories from that.
- There are also very insightful and inspirational lectures each morning from Coach K or one of the former Duke players (Grant gave a fantastic speech this year).
- You are treated like a Duke player, i.e. your fourth year you get a senior video and huge, cool poster of yourself playing; your fifth year your jersey is retired, etc.
- It is expensive, but definitely the most fun thing I do each year.