Big PG recruiting news

[JasonEvans]

UNC has gotten their successor to Ty Lawson. Larry Drew Jr. is going to Chapel Hill. His father was a heck of a player!

http://www.latimes.com/sports/highsc...rts-highschool

Yesterday, Arizona picked up a real stud in Brandon Jennings, the kid who played point alongside a certain incoming Dukie this year at Oak Hill is likely one of the top 5 players in the 2008 class. As soon as he picked Arizona, Drew went for UNC.

http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/184386

-Jason "Clark Francis says Jennings and Jared Bayless could be one of the best backcourts of all time at Arizona... hyperbole much?" Evans

[jimsumner]

Recruiting gurus think Drew is a better prospect than Quentin Thomas but he is ranked well below Felton or Lawson. He's a good pick up but I don't think he's going to strike fear in opponent's hearts.

[Bob Green]

UNC has gotten their successor to Ty Lawson. Larry Drew Jr. is going to Chapel Hill. His father was a heck of a player!

http://www.latimes.com/sports/highsc...rts-highschool

Yesterday, Arizona picked up a real stud in Brandon Jennings, the kid who played point alongside a certain incoming Dukie this year at Oak Hill is likely one of the top 5 players in the 2008 class. As soon as he picked Arizona, Drew went for UNC.

http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/184386

-Jason "Clark Francis says Jennings and Jared Bayless could be one of the best backcourts of all time at Arizona... hyperbole much?" Evans

Who is Duke recruiting to eventually replace Greg Paulus? This is great news for UNC and Arizona, but I'm concerned about the future of the PG position at Duke. Any of you guys have any Intel?

Bob Green
Yokosuka, Japan

[Clipsfan]

UNC has gotten their successor to Ty Lawson. Larry Drew Jr. is going to Chapel Hill. His father was a heck of a player!

http://www.latimes.com/sports/highsc...rts-highschool

Yesterday, Arizona picked up a real stud in Brandon Jennings, the kid who played point alongside a certain incoming Dukie this year at Oak Hill is likely one of the top 5 players in the 2008 class. As soon as he picked Arizona, Drew went for UNC.

http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/184386

-Jason "Clark Francis says Jennings and Jared Bayless could be one of the best backcourts of all time at Arizona... hyperbole much?" Evans

I thought Jennings had made a non-binding verbal commitment to USC. I guess he thought better of it. I watched some of the Oak Hill games, Jennings is quick and can make some SICK passes.

[YmoBeThere]

Any of you guys have any Intel?

Bob Green
Yokosuka, Japan

Haven't really liked INTC, even though the new chips have put them back ahead of AMD.

PS Often times postings are made for the pleasure of 1 person, hahahahaha...

[watzone]

Jennings to Arizona closed the deal for the Heels. This kid is a true smooth PG that has a great motor. I saw his game at the TOC and came away very impressed. IMO, he is better than the 40 something ranking. I don't see him as a huge dropoff from Felton other than his scoring. UNC under Williams will continue their good PG play.

[CMS2478]

Jennings to Arizona closed the deal for the Heels. This kid is a true smooth PG that has a great motor. I saw his game at the TOC and came away very impressed. IMO, he is better than the 40 something ranking. I don't see him as a huge dropoff from Felton other than his scoring. UNC under Williams will continue their good PG play.

Are we going after any PG's in the near future or is Nolan Smith going to be the guy?

[Bud]

Leslie McDonald in 09 will be are next pg prospect he is 6'4 and is from TN he is ranked in the top 10 in the 09 class I have seen a few vidoes of him he is going to be a good one.

[Patrick Yates]

Drew has really stunk up the AAU circuit lately. Scout and Rival dropped him, big time. UNC was in on him, and offered for him long ago, and probably wish they had that offer back. Roy, like K, is a class act who would never rescind an offer, barring a first come first serve type situation. UNC is not involved with any other PGs, and they have to have one, but they are stuck.

Rivals said LD is more of an undersized scoring guard, with an awkward shot. Unlike the stout TL, LD is reed thin (the 150-160 range, ouch), and may not be able to take the pounding that comes with penetrating. He is short like TL, and quick (but not as quick), and he lacks TL's outstanding court vision. Personally, I do not see this as hurting UNC that much. earlier this year LD was a top 15 recruit and the clear no 2 PG in the class. Neither is still the case. In fact, based on what I have read, LD might be a backup to Frasor the entire time at UNC, and will be a prime candidate to be recruited over. Hoorah. LD announcing out of the blue like this reeks of grabbing onto the UNC offer while it still existed. Still, Congrats to UNC.

Patrick Yates

[watzone]

Duke will be very involved with a 2009 kid starting this weekend. I will let you know who he is by Saturday or sooner. I hesitate to say this here, but I have to keep the name to my members for a day or two. Leslie McDonald is definately on the radar but will not partcipate in this weekends TOC which is a reebok event.

It is my understanding that the staff feels Nolan Smith can handle the PG position and spell Paulus until the heir is in place.

[Bud]

That is great news Watzone, becouse I have herd McDonald is more of a combo guard but can play the point guard position. In the vidoes I have seen from him he is very quick and athletic with a very good looking shot. I would love to see Duke get him and another pure pg type player in 09.

[Bud]

Also Watzone do you no any thing about Demarcus Cousins 6'9 PF from AL, rivals a while ago had Duke on his list but now they do not have Duke on his current list, do you no if Duke is recruitng this kid, becouse I have seen vidoes of this kid and he is good, reminds me of Brandon Wright. Also I no you can only tell so much but some other names I have herd Duke will be are allready have started recruiting are. Reeves Nelson 6'7 F from CA, Daniel Ortan 6'9 C from OK, and Stephan Van Treese 6'8 PF from IN.

[Troublemaker]

Jennings to Arizona closed the deal for the Heels. This kid is a true smooth PG that has a great motor. I saw his game at the TOC and came away very impressed. IMO, he is better than the 40 something ranking. I don't see him as a huge dropoff from Felton other than his scoring. UNC under Williams will continue their good PG play.

Agreed. Larry Drew is very good, guys, so I would ignore what the rankings say. He's got elite level ball control and he's quick with a true PG IQ. Just look at the schools and coaches that were recruiting him, which includes Duke and Coach K.

[jawk24]

I hate to give it to Roy but he’s getting after it and doing his job. He’s anticipating the loss of Lawson and has taken care of his pg needs for next year. If coach K would have done this in the case of Microburst we wouldn’t be in such a situation next year.

[Highlander]

I hate to give it to Roy but he’s getting after it and doing his job. He’s anticipating the loss of Lawson and has taken care of his pg needs for next year. If coach K would have done this in the case of Microburst we wouldn’t be in such a situation next year.

I am pretty sure everyone at Duke knew that McRoberts was gone this year, so I think it's fair to say that it was anticipated by the coaching staff. Remember that McRoberts almost went pro last year.

As for addressing his needs ahead of time, what do you consider Lance Thomas, Greg Zoubeck, and Kyle Singler to be?

[Patrick Yates]

I am pretty sure everyone at Duke knew that McRoberts was gone this year, so I think it's fair to say that it was anticipated by the coaching staff. Remember that McRoberts almost went pro last year.

As for addressing his needs ahead of time, what do you consider Lance Thomas, Greg Zoubeck, and Kyle Singler to be?

Agreed. With the above players in the system, a post player recruit would have to be wary.

Discounting Singler, who will be good, but is more of a 3-4 than a true post, Duke has great POTENTIAL in the post. Outside of Love, and probably DeAndre Jordan, no one in this year's HS class would be guaranteed to beat these guys out.

If, big if, LT and BZ really improve, a frosh might sit. Suppose, just suppose, that LT bulks up and is able to be a solid 4-5 next year. Same with BZ. Well, then Duke will be set.

In fact, it is not outside the realm of possibility that LT and BZ would both be ahead of even PP next year, if they really committ this summer. For all my doom and gloom (that way if I am surprised, it is a good surprise), we could be really good next year. If BZ really makes strides, and LT can really contribute, we have three guys who are legitimate 4-5 players, with a fourth in King for spot or emergency minutes behind them. We are good to great at other positions.

If you were a senior in HS next year, Duke was iffy as to the availibility of minutes in the post, especially once KS committed. Even though McBo(o)b (the SI.com mock draft doesn't list him in the first round) was a lock to go, the upcomming year was clouded in mystery.

Yes, the odds favor our current post options not being ready. But, if they are, well, they already know the system and the other players, so they have a leg up fron day 1. Much like UNC this year, the future was too murkey for a great (but not super like Love) player to be sure of his role at Duke.

Them's the breaks.

Patrick Yates

[madscavenger]

Patrick, i don't even want a high school All American, if he is wary of competing for a starting position (or minutes) against a couple of guys who were not even starters for us last year (and still have to prove they can start). Wrong attitude for a guy that is going to have to be mentally tough if he plays here. This is not to say that PP fell into that category - just addressing your post.

[kydevil]

Agreed, if a recruit doesn't want to compete for a starting position or minutes why want him? this means he cares little about the team or how they perform, but just about his individual stats and performance!

[watzone]

That is great news Watzone, becouse I have herd McDonald is more of a combo guard but can play the point guard position. In the vidoes I have seen from him he is very quick and athletic with a very good looking shot. I would love to see Duke get him and another pure pg type player in 09.

The name is Kenny Boynton. He is listed as a SG, but so was Jason Williams. Much like Jason, the kid is strong and can score and has a personal drive to get better all the time.

[Saratoga2]

Agreed. With the above players in the system, a post player recruit would have to be wary.

Discounting Singler, who will be good, but is more of a 3-4 than a true post, Duke has great POTENTIAL in the post. Outside of Love, and probably DeAndre Jordan, no one in this year's HS class would be guaranteed to beat these guys out.

If, big if, LT and BZ really improve, a frosh might sit. Suppose, just suppose, that LT bulks up and is able to be a solid 4-5 next year. Same with BZ. Well, then Duke will be set.

In fact, it is not outside the realm of possibility that LT and BZ would both be ahead of even PP next year, if they really committ this summer. For all my doom and gloom (that way if I am surprised, it is a good surprise), we could be really good next year. If BZ really makes strides, and LT can really
contribute, we have three guys who are legitimate 4-5 players, with a fourth in King for spot or emergency minutes behind them. We are good to great at other positions.

If you were a senior in HS next year, Duke was iffy as to the availibility of minutes in the post, especially once KS committed. Even though McBo(o)b (the SI.com mock draft doesn't list him in the first round) was a lock to go, the upcomming year was clouded in mystery.

Yes, the odds favor our current post options not being ready. But, if they are, well, they already know the system and the other players, so they have a leg up fron day 1. Much like UNC this year, the future was too murkey for a great (but not super like Love) player to be sure of his role at Duke.

Them's the breaks.

Patrick Yates

The spring and summer months are always a time of optimism for the fans. At the point Paulus can pass and score and should be fully recovered going into the season. He will still have some defensive weakness based on speed, but all in all we are loaded at the guard position.

Singler being a freshman is a little bit of an unknown. He is rated about as well as McRoberts was coming to the team. McRoberts contributed as a freshman but was not a dominant player. We shouldn't expect more of Singler than McRoberts was able to deliver. Still, other NCAA teams would love to have him so we have to be optimisitic about his play.

The inside play is a place where I have more problem being optimistic. We have Zoubek, who was not much of a factor as a freshman. He has the size to contest in the post but the rest of his game has to come a long way. LT had a very aggressive attitude which got him into foul trouble early and often. He was also pretty slim for playing in the post. His offensive game was also pretty limited last year. While we can expect improvements from both of the inside players, I have trouble being optimistic about them being in the elite ACC category. McClure is a cagey player and really will help, but he is only 6'6" and 205 pounds and has a very limited offensive game. King is another thought but would probably only used for limited relief of the other bigs inside.

So, I think it wise to temper the temper the natural optimism of this time of year with the realistic view of the team and it's prospects. Other teams have lost ground with the draft or graduation, so Duke will still be in the upper tier of the ACC. UNC still looks like the team to beat.

We need to get out there and get a top notch point guard to replace Paulus and a top notch inside man with power to bolster Zoubek and Thomas. Let's hope that at least coach K will get the big man in 2008.