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DavidBenAkiva
07-23-2018, 01:22 PM
Time to open a new thread! Duke has extended it's first offer to a member of the Class of 2021.

Patrick Baldwin, Jr., is a 6'8" forward from Sussex, Wisconsin. He has recently ranked among the highest members of his recruiting class with ESPN giving him the early slot for #1 recruit in his class of rising sophomore. Baldwin has size, shooting, athleticism, passing, quickness, and all the other traits you would want out of a forward. If he fills out his growing frame, he could be a modern stretch 4 or operate as a facilitator and scorer from the wings. The kid has the full package and could develop into an exceptional talent.

bedeviled
07-23-2018, 04:11 PM
Patrick Baldwin, Jr., is a 6'8" forward from Sussex, WisconsinI believe he is the son of Patrick Baldwin (Northwestern 1990-94, BigTen Defensive Player of the Year). He's head coach at UW–Milwaukee after being assistant coach for Chris Collins at Northwestern 2013-17.
The family also has 3 daughters younger than PB,J.

NSDukeFan
07-23-2018, 05:03 PM
Aren’t all high schoolers way younger than Peanut butter and jam?

JasonEvans
07-24-2018, 07:28 AM
I believe he is the son of Patrick Baldwin (Northwestern 1990-94, BigTen Defensive Player of the Year). He's head coach at UW–Milwaukee after being assistant coach for Chris Collins at Northwestern 2013-17.
The family also has 3 daughters younger than PB,J.

Assuming he does not play for papa... I wonder if this gives Collins a leg up on this kid. If we can't get him, he sounds like he could be a real game-changer for the (good) Wildcats.

MartyClark
02-17-2019, 01:51 PM
The Chicago Sun Times said that 2021 point guard prospect Max Christie of Rolling Meadows High School visited Duke 2 weeks ago. This is a long, lean point guard who is a top 10 or 15 prospect for 2021, depending on the rater.

DavidBenAkiva
03-01-2019, 10:25 AM
Another Class of 2021 point guard prospect to keep an eye on for the Class of 2021: Cam Hayes. The Greensboro, NC native will be in attendance as Duke takes on Miami this Saturday, according to Corey Evans of Rivals.

Hayes was originally a member of the Class of 2020 and could potentially reclassify back to the current group of juniors. Hayes is #32 in the 247Sports composite ranking for the Class of 2021, #21 on the Top247 list, and #16 in the nation on Rivals.

DavidBenAkiva
03-07-2019, 05:58 PM
Jake Weingarten of Stockrisers had a Q&A with Top 20 PF Nate Bittle (https://stockrisers.com/2019/01/22/top-15-sophomore-nate-bittle-discusses-recruitment-early-duke-and-kentucky-interest-more/) of Crater, OR. Bittle is 6'10" with long, long arms. He's just 175 pounds as a high school sophomore. It seems he has drawn national interest, including Duke. Jon Scheyer recently spoke with the young man.

907bluedevils
06-14-2019, 02:41 PM
According to this report, Duke has reached out to Terrence Clarke and he is interested. Top 3 prospect in 2021.
https://www.prepcircuit.com/news_article/show/1028614

MartyClark
06-14-2019, 04:50 PM
I previously posted on this kid but mistakenly referred to him as a point guard, it appears that he is a shooting guard with a good handle. 6'6" and slender, plays in the Chicago suburb of Rolling Meadows.

Duke has reached out to him and, based on one opinion, 247 has him as 100% to Duke. I have not seen him play, I hope to when I'm back in Chicago at Christmas. He appears to be a very talented, athletic kid.

CrazyNotCrazie
06-14-2019, 05:01 PM
I previously posted on this kid but mistakenly referred to him as a point guard, it appears that he is a shooting guard with a good handle. 6'6" and slender, plays in the Chicago suburb of Rolling Meadows.

Duke has reached out to him and, based on one opinion, 247 has him as 100% to Duke. I have not seen him play, I hope to when I'm back in Chicago at Christmas. He appears to be a very talented, athletic kid.

Thanks for the update. I am always curious about the bloodlines of players so looked Max up, thinking he might be related to Doug Christie (probably not former governor Chris Christie). Turns out he is not related to Doug but both of his parents played college ball, with his mom having had a very successful career at Northwestern. One would think that with the proximity and that link he would be the top focus for Chris Collins.

https://www.jconline.com/story/sports/college/purdue/basketball/2018/08/27/purdue-target-max-christie-having-fun-increased-scrutiny/1099668002/

frb
06-15-2019, 06:09 PM
According to this report, Duke has reached out to Terrence Clarke and he is interested. Top 3 prospect in 2021.
https://www.prepcircuit.com/news_article/show/1028614

he's a reclass candidate. He turns 18 in September.

frb
06-15-2019, 06:13 PM
another name- Paolo Banchero, 6-9 PF from Seattle.

frb
06-15-2019, 06:15 PM
According to a tweet from Rivals’ Corey Evans on Saturday, five-star shooting guard A.J. Griffin now also has an open invitation to become a Blue Devil.

arnie
06-15-2019, 06:44 PM
According to a tweet from Rivals’ Corey Evans on Saturday, five-star shooting guard A.J. Griffin now also has an open invitation to become a Blue Devil.

https://balldurham.com/2019/06/15/duke-basketball-offer-another-2021-star/amp/

Article on Griffin.

NSDukeFan
06-15-2019, 10:32 PM
another name- Paolo Banchero, 6-9 PF from Seattle.

That is an excellent name.

DavidBenAkiva
07-13-2019, 10:25 AM
Interesting update with Terrence Clarke, considered one of the top 3 players in the class of 2021. He is "openly considering" (whatever that means) reclassifying up to the class of 2020. In addition, the Boston, MA native has a relationship with B.J. Boston and the two are talking about attending college together. This article (https://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/7/12/20690606/kentucky-basketball-terrence-clarke-bj-boston-duke-blue-devils-recruiting) from the Kentucky blog A Sea of Blue gets into slightly more detail and includes a brief video.

From what I have read and seen, Clarke is an elite scorer at the SG/WF position in the mold of R.J. Barrett. He could play any of three positions on the court between point and wing. He's not as physically developed as Barrett and appears to be much leaner. Memphis, Kentucky, and just about everyone else is after Clarke. He is known as a versatile scorer and distributor with improving shot mechanics. I saw a brief interview with recruiting expert Evan Daniels where he noted that Clarke is in the mix, along with Jonathan Kuminga and Duke target Patrick Baldwin as the top overall player in the class of 2021.

If he does reclass to 2020, I could see a pretty great fit alongside Jalen Johnson and Jeremy Roach. Combine those three with B.J. Boston and Walker Kessler, and you have a truly elite group of players. If Clarke stays in the class of 2021, he joins Baldwin and PF Paolo Banchero as a dynamite trio of Duke targets. In either case, Clarke appears to have become a primary target for Duke, either sooner or later.

JasonEvans
07-13-2019, 04:57 PM
He is "openly considering" (whatever that means) reclassifying up to the class of 2020.

It was pointed out to me by a friend of mine that we will probably see a lot of kids reclassify from 2021 to 2020. Why? Well, because it is widely assumed that the NBA will allow high schoolers to enter the draft starting with the class of 2022. That means that the 2022 draft will feature studs from both the 2021 and 2022 high school classes. Put another way, the draft of 2022 is going to be loaded to the gills! So, if you are a top 2021 player, you really want to find a way into the 2020 high school class so you can get to the draft before the 2022 flood.

Hope all those numbers made sense. Bottom line, 2021 kids want to go to college in 2020 if they can.

DavidBenAkiva
07-13-2019, 05:02 PM
One of the top players in the class of 2021, Paolo Banchero of Seattle, WA just received an offer from Duke. The young big man had this excellent quote about the school:


Duke just seems kinda bigger and badder than a lot of schools.

Yes, sir! Here are some highlights of the young man.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWW6Tef_ZE8

OZZIE4DUKE
07-13-2019, 06:02 PM
One of the top players in the class of 2021, Paolo Banchero of Seattle, WA just received an offer from Duke. The young big man had this excellent quote about the school:



Yes, sir! Here are some highlights of the young man.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWW6Tef_ZE8
Boy, if only Javin could shoot that 10 footer like that!

MChambers
07-13-2019, 06:31 PM
One of the top players in the class of 2021, Paolo Banchero of Seattle, WA just received an offer from Duke. The young big man had this excellent quote about the school:



Yes, sir! Here are some highlights of the young man.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWW6Tef_ZE8

I think he'd look much better in a different shade of blue than in that video.

Kedsy
07-13-2019, 11:12 PM
Boy, if only Javin could shoot that 10 footer like that!

He could, when he was in high school, playing against high school players.

frb
07-15-2019, 09:48 PM
Interesting update with Terrence Clarke, considered one of the top 3 players in the class of 2021. He is "openly considering" (whatever that means) reclassifying up to the class of 2020. In addition, the Boston, MA native has a relationship with B.J. Boston and the two are talking about attending college together. This article (https://www.aseaofblue.com/2019/7/12/20690606/kentucky-basketball-terrence-clarke-bj-boston-duke-blue-devils-recruiting) from the Kentucky blog A Sea of Blue gets into slightly more detail and includes a brief video.

From what I have read and seen, Clarke is an elite scorer at the SG/WF position in the mold of R.J. Barrett. He could play any of three positions on the court between point and wing. He's not as physically developed as Barrett and appears to be much leaner. Memphis, Kentucky, and just about everyone else is after Clarke. He is known as a versatile scorer and distributor with improving shot mechanics. I saw a brief interview with recruiting expert Evan Daniels where he noted that Clarke is in the mix, along with Jonathan Kuminga and Duke target Patrick Baldwin as the top overall player in the class of 2021.

If he does reclass to 2020, I could see a pretty great fit alongside Jalen Johnson and Jeremy Roach. Combine those three with B.J. Boston and Walker Kessler, and you have a truly elite group of players. If Clarke stays in the class of 2021, he joins Baldwin and PF Paolo Banchero as a dynamite trio of Duke targets. In either case, Clarke appears to have become a primary target for Duke, either sooner or later.


here's something to watch about Clarke and also Jalen Johnson. From NBA Draft guru Jon Givony (espn).

• Quite a few rising high school seniors are actually eligible for the 2020 NBA draft age-wise, as they are turning 19 in the calendar year of the draft, but they will need to reclassify academically to accelerate their eligibility due to the somewhat vague language of the age limit in the NBA collective bargaining agreement. They will need to either graduate high school before the start of the 2020 NBA regular season or take the drastic move of dropping out of high school altogether (something that has never been attempted in relation to earning eligibility for the NBA draft and is a gray area). Jalen Lecque was able to petition the NBA successfully to be eligible for the 2019 NBA draft despite technically being a high school senior at Brewster Academy, but he had a strong case as he already had his high school diploma in hand. He ended up going undrafted Thursday rather than enrolling as a freshman at NC State this summer.

In 2020, this group of players includes some of the top players in the class, such as Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, Jalen Johnson, Ziaire Williams, Scottie Barnes, Greg Brown and B.J. Boston -- all potential lottery prospects as early as next year. One player who just completed his high school sophomore year, Terrence Clarke, falls under this umbrella, too, as he was born in 2001.

The NBA has yet to turn down any player who is eligible age-wise to enter the draft, at least not that's publicly known, as losing that fight could open up a messy legal battle over the age limit. Entering the NBA a year or two ahead of schedule could be worth tens of millions of dollars to the right player. Could this be the year that a prospect challenges the language of the age limit and attempts to enter the draft in the calendar year he turns 19, as international players are already allowed to?

907bluedevils
07-16-2019, 02:38 PM
Duke has offered Jonathan Kuminga, one of the top recruits in 2021

https://247sports.com/college/duke/Article/duke-head-coach-mike-krzyzewski-offers-top-2021-prospect-jonathan-kuminga--133700668/

DavidBenAkiva
07-16-2019, 02:40 PM
According to his own twitter account (https://twitter.com/JonathanKuming6/status/1151169078398205953), Duke and Coach K have extended an offer to Jonathan Kuminga. The young New Yorker is a 6'7" or so guard/wing and, along with Terrence Clarke and Patrick Baldwin, considered among the best players in the Class of 2021. As Jim Summers noted, one or more of those young men may end up in the Class of 2020. For now, though, Kuminga is a '21er.

Here are some highlights. The young man has what you might describe as "hops" and a "wet jumper."


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdKymVD2Cno

CrazyNotCrazie
07-16-2019, 02:48 PM
Duke has offered Jonathan Kuminga, one of the top recruits in 2021

https://247sports.com/college/duke/Article/duke-head-coach-mike-krzyzewski-offers-top-2021-prospect-jonathan-kuminga--133700668/

Thanks for posting. Interesting that the article notes the importance of the relationship between his coach Andy Borman (former Duke walk-on and Coach K's nephew) and Coach K. Hopefully that will help us. It would be great to get a player from Long Island - has there been one since Heyman 60 years ago?

Kedsy
07-16-2019, 06:22 PM
It would be great to get a player from Long Island - has there been one since Heyman 60 years ago?

Tom Emma in 1979. Not sure how many since then.

duke74
07-16-2019, 06:32 PM
According to his own twitter account (https://twitter.com/JonathanKuming6/status/1151169078398205953), Duke and Coach K have extended an offer to Jonathan Kuminga. The young New Yorker is a 6'7" or so guard/wing and, along with Terrence Clarke and Patrick Baldwin, considered among the best players in the Class of 2021. As Jim Summers noted, one or more of those young men may end up in the Class of 2020. For now, though, Kuminga is a '21er.

Here are some highlights. The young man has what you might describe as "hops" and a "wet jumper."


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdKymVD2Cno

OK, I give up...what's a "wet jumper"?

AGDukesky
07-16-2019, 06:52 PM
OK, I give up...what's a "wet jumper"?

One that frequently splashes the net

duke74
07-16-2019, 09:06 PM
One that frequently splashes the net

Thanks. Had no clue.

Dr. Rosenrosen
07-16-2019, 09:36 PM
One that frequently splashes the net
Ah, ok, so it’s not a baby’s outfit that’s been peed in...

bullettoothtony
07-30-2019, 09:20 AM
According to Slater, we've offered Max Christie. He entered a CB pick for Christie to Duke also.

JasonEvans
07-30-2019, 09:34 AM
According to Slater, we've offered Max Christie. He entered a CB pick for Christie to Duke also.

For folks who are not familiar with him, Christie is a top 15-20 shooting guard who stands 6-6 and has good length. He's considered an elite shooter but has good handle and is quite creative on offense. He needs to gain weight and strength to get better on D.

It should come as no surprise that Duke's top recruiting assistant, Jon Scheyer, is taking the lead on an elite prospect like this but it is also worth noting that Scheyer's hometown of Northbrook, Illinois is only about 15 miles from Christie's hometown of Rolling Meadows. Both are in the Chicago suburbs.

-Jason "Scheyer is battling Chris Collins for this one... Christie is said to be strongly considering Northwestern" Evans

907bluedevils
08-02-2019, 02:30 PM
According to Slater, Duke is showing more interest in Kennedy Chandler. Top 40 PG.
https://twitter.com/Andrew__Slater/status/1157263228789022720

lotusland
08-06-2019, 04:58 PM
If you’re bored, here is an uninformed opinion from someone I’ve never heard of. Enjoy.
https://apple.news/ArB80_MEGPgWb-4qOjLTWmg

jimsumner
08-06-2019, 07:53 PM
If you’re bored, here is an uninformed opinion from someone I’ve never heard of. Enjoy.
https://apple.news/ArB80_MEGPgWb-4qOjLTWmg

I predict this person will transfer due to lack of playing time.

lotusland
08-06-2019, 08:20 PM
I predict this person will transfer due to lack of playing time.

Would have been a solid post in 2020/2021 minutes thread. He’s probably got Tre Jones at 35+MPG.

Bluedog
08-06-2019, 08:21 PM
If you’re bored, here is an uninformed opinion from someone I’ve never heard of. Enjoy.
https://apple.news/ArB80_MEGPgWb-4qOjLTWmg

Bahaha. Funny. Do most people consider Hurt a one and done? I thought he's high on the high school ranks but the NBA isn't as high on him ... Of course, I'd love for him to have a great freshman season and show his stuff.

DavidBenAkiva
08-18-2019, 05:47 PM
Interesting note from Adam Zagoria regarding Jonathan Kuminga:


Speaking of reclassifying, I’m told Coach K would really like @JonathanKuming6 to reclass and come to Duke for 2020. I wrote this at Peach Jam.

Zagoria has a longer article on Kuminga, which features quotes from, among others, AAU coach Andy Borman.

https://www.zagsblog.com/2019/07/13/jonathan-kuminga-makes-case-for-no-1-high-school-player-in-the-nation-talks-future-plans/

budwom
08-19-2019, 07:06 AM
Interesting note from Adam Zagoria regarding Jonathan Kuminga:



Zagoria has a longer article on Kuminga, which features quotes from, among others, AAU coach Andy Borman.

https://www.zagsblog.com/2019/07/13/jonathan-kuminga-makes-case-for-no-1-high-school-player-in-the-nation-talks-future-plans/

Assuming that he is 16 years old as Borman states, reclassifying would appear to be a bit aggressive, no?

DavidBenAkiva
08-19-2019, 09:16 AM
Assuming that he is 16 years old as Borman states, reclassifying would appear to be a bit aggressive, no?

Kuminga's date of birth is October 6, 2002, so he will be 17 during this upcoming year of high school basketball. That puts him on track to be an 18 year old during the 2020-21 season and to turn 19 right before the NBA season of 2021-22. While I am not 100% certain of this, were he to graduate high school next summer, I think he would be eligible to declare for the 2021 draft. Please correct me if I am wrong about that.

plimnko
08-19-2019, 09:20 AM
Kuminga's date of birth is October 6, 2002, so he will be 17 during this upcoming year of high school basketball. That puts him on track to be an 18 year old during the 2020-21 season and to turn 19 right before the NBA season of 2021-22. While I am not 100% certain of this, were he to graduate high school next summer, I think he would be eligible to declare for the 2021 draft. Please correct me if I am wrong about that.

if not, i bet k would let him stick around another year

budwom
08-19-2019, 11:21 AM
Kuminga's date of birth is October 6, 2002, so he will be 17 during this upcoming year of high school basketball. That puts him on track to be an 18 year old during the 2020-21 season and to turn 19 right before the NBA season of 2021-22. While I am not 100% certain of this, were he to graduate high school next summer, I think he would be eligible to declare for the 2021 draft. Please correct me if I am wrong about that.

I was thinking about it more from the academic perspective....is he really prepared to jump a year? I'm sure K wants him, but perhaps more so next year than this year...hard guy to push away, though if he really was interested in reclassifying.

El_Diablo
08-19-2019, 09:04 PM
I was thinking about it more from the academic perspective...is he really prepared to jump a year? I'm sure K wants him, but perhaps more so next year than this year...hard guy to push away, though if he really was interested in reclassifying.

The article was talking about reclassifying to be a freshman next year (2020-2021), not this upcoming year.

budwom
08-20-2019, 06:49 AM
The article was talking about reclassifying to be a freshman next year (2020-2021), not this upcoming year.

yeah, i get that...

El_Diablo
08-20-2019, 10:38 AM
yeah, i get that...

Oh, sorry, I thought your concerns about being academically ready and your reference to Coach K wanting him "this year" indicated you were under the impression he was trying to reclassify to become a freshman this year. I think his readiness (in terms of physical readiness, academics, and maturity) are factors that go into a reclassification decision and are carefully assessed by the player, his family, and the coaching staff. I generally trust the staff's judgment and thus do not have any real concerns about reclassification being too aggressive in this instance.

budwom
08-20-2019, 12:12 PM
Oh, sorry, I thought your concerns about being academically ready and your reference to Coach K wanting him "this year" indicated you were under the impression he was trying to reclassify to become a freshman this year. I think his readiness (in terms of physical readiness, academics, and maturity) are factors that go into a reclassification decision and are carefully assessed by the player, his family, and the coaching staff. I generally trust the staff's judgment and thus do not have any real concerns about reclassification being too aggressive in this instance.

no problemo...i think the staff has the targets they currently want for 2020, though Kuminga might be too good to disregard...can they take him late in the game without ruffling the feathers of some of the other targets (should they choose Duke)?

DavidBenAkiva
08-20-2019, 01:18 PM
The Athletic (behind a paywall) has a profile up of Patrick Baldwin, Jr (https://theathletic.com/1148307/).

A couple of things to note: He's up to about 6'10", plays with a very high basketball IQ, and has a "pure" shooting form - compact, quick release, gooseneck follow-through.

The article quotes Baldwin's AAU teammate and Duke commit Jalen Johnson. Johnson would really love to have Baldwin follow him at Duke, although they may not be teammates in college. The junior Baldwin is also the son of Pat Baldwin, Sr., head coach at UW-Milwaukee of the Horizon League. The father is entering his third year as the head coach, following a 9-22 season. The school has been a launching pad of sorts, previously employing Bo Ryan, Bruce Pearl and, right before Baldwin, Butler's LaVall Jordan.

Duke is seen as an overwhelming favorite to land Baldwin, Jr. In the article, I learned that the father/coach commanded that his son not attempt 3-point shots until he was in middle school, when Junior was old and strong enough. A lot of kids develop poor form when they are young, heaving the ball with all their might at a young age to get it to go to the rim. Good tip!

Here are some highlights of the young man from Peach Jam over the summer. The Athletic article notes that Baldwin was playing with a bum ankle in most of the games. He looked pretty good nonetheless.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8OCS1xpEaU

westwall
08-20-2019, 02:09 PM
The Athletic (behind a paywall) has a profile up of Patrick Baldwin, Jr (https://theathletic.com/1148307/).

A couple of things to note: He's up to about 6'10", plays with a very high basketball IQ, and has a "pure" shooting form - compact, quick release, gooseneck follow-through.

The article quotes Baldwin's AAU teammate and Duke commit Jalen Johnson. Johnson would really love to have Baldwin follow him at Duke, although they may not be teammates in college. The junior Baldwin is also the son of Pat Baldwin, Sr., head coach at UW-Milwaukee of the Horizon League. The father is entering his third year as the head coach, following a 9-22 season. The school has been a launching pad of sorts, previously employing Bo Ryan, Bruce Pearl and, right before Baldwin, Butler's LaVall Jordan.

Duke is seen as an overwhelming favorite to land Baldwin, Jr. In the article, I learned that the father/coach commanded that his son not attempt 3-point shots until he was in middle school, when Junior was old and strong enough. A lot of kids develop poor form when they are young, heaving the ball with all their might at a young age to get it to go to the rim. Good tip!

Here are some highlights of the young man from Peach Jam over the summer. The Athletic article notes that Baldwin was playing with a bum ankle in most of the games. He looked pretty good nonetheless.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8OCS1xpEaU


Good summary of the Atlantic article, which mostly covers Baldwin's personal history and also mentions that he is an "honors student" in high school.

DavidBenAkiva
08-20-2019, 02:33 PM
Paolo Banchero, according to his twitter account (https://twitter.com/Pp_doesit/status/1163874083995410433), has set official visits for the next year.


UNC: Sept 27-29 (practice?)
Kentucky: Oct. 11-13 (Big Blue Madness)
Duke: Oct. 17-20 (Countdown to Craziness)
Tennessee: Oct. 25-27 (practice?)
Gonzaga: Jan. 18-19 (home game vs. BYU)

Banchero had some chatter over the summer about reclassifying to the Class of 2020. He recently put the kibosh on that one and seems to be intent on playing his junior and senior years of high school. Banchero is from the Seattle area, so he will likely visit the hometown Washington team over the next year as well, at least on an unofficial visit.

The Athletic had an article on the young big man in late July in which he was favorably compared to Elton Brand and Carlos Boozer. Read into that what you will.

budwom
08-20-2019, 02:39 PM
^ Duke really likes him, especially in that class.

TruBlu
08-20-2019, 04:19 PM
Paolo Banchero, according to his twitter account (https://twitter.com/Pp_doesit/status/1163874083995410433), has set official visits for the next year.


UNC: Sept 27-29 (practice?)***
Kentucky: Oct. 11-13 (Big Blue Madness)
Duke: Oct. 17-20 (Countdown to Craziness)
Tennessee: Oct. 25-27 (practice?)
Gonzaga: Jan. 18-19 (home game vs. BYU)




***
1) Test drive free rental cars
2) Interview tutor prospects
3) Find places to hang out instead of going to class
4) Take dance lessons for the ridiculous pre-game rituals
5) Learn how to control barfing while wearing that putrid blue

Just kidding. No knock on him personally. However, serious knocks on that cesspool formerly known as an honest, upstanding university.

Spanarkel
08-21-2019, 07:53 AM
The Athletic (behind a paywall) has a profile up of Patrick Baldwin, Jr (https://theathletic.com/1148307/).

A couple of things to note: He's up to about 6'10", plays with a very high basketball IQ, and has a "pure" shooting form - compact, quick release, gooseneck follow-through.

The article quotes Baldwin's AAU teammate and Duke commit Jalen Johnson. Johnson would really love to have Baldwin follow him at Duke, although they may not be teammates in college. The junior Baldwin is also the son of Pat Baldwin, Sr., head coach at UW-Milwaukee of the Horizon League. The father is entering his third year as the head coach, following a 9-22 season. The school has been a launching pad of sorts, previously employing Bo Ryan, Bruce Pearl and, right before Baldwin, Butler's LaVall Jordan.

Duke is seen as an overwhelming favorite to land Baldwin, Jr. In the article, I learned that the father/coach commanded that his son not attempt 3-point shots until he was in middle school, when Junior was old and strong enough. A lot of kids develop poor form when they are young, heaving the ball with all their might at a young age to get it to go to the rim. Good tip!

Here are some highlights of the young man from Peach Jam over the summer. The Athletic article notes that Baldwin was playing with a bum ankle in most of the games. He looked pretty good nonetheless.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8OCS1xpEaU



Another huge reason to love basketball as a sport imo: despite having the ridiculous talents of Jalen Johnson, Patrick Baldwin(though hobbled by an ankle injury), Jaemyn Brakefield and others, Phenom U. did not make it to the Bracket Round(Final 8) at Peach Jam.

DavidBenAkiva
09-09-2019, 09:12 AM
Andrew Slater (https://twitter.com/Andrew__Slater/status/1171037380356255745) has an update via twitter on A.J. Griffin, a 5-star recruit from the Class of 2021. Duke has extended an offer and will be watching the young man during the first day of the fall live period.

Griffin is a 6'7" SF from White Plains, NY and is the son of former Seton Hall standout and long-time NBA player and assistant coach Adrian Griffin. A.J.'s older brother is Alan Griffin, who just finished his freshman season at Illinois. Older sister Aubrey is also a Division 1 basketball player, McDonald's All-American, and a current freshman at UConn. A.J. appears to be the most highly rated prospect in his family. He was a key member of the USA U16 team over the summer and contains a mix of athleticism and shooting for his position. Given his slashing and shooting ability, Griffin appears to be able to play either the wing or as a stretch-4 position in college.

It seems that Kentucky has taken the lead in the Terrance Clarke recruitment while Duke has shifted attention to Griffin of late. The interest appears mutual. Here are highlights of Griffin from over the summer in which he helped lead Team USA to a victory over Canada in the Gold Medal game.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlZrfBL6LJA

DavidBenAkiva
09-09-2019, 09:22 PM
Follow-up from Adam Zagoria's website (https://www.zagsblog.com/2019/09/09/coach-k-visits-a-j-griffin-who-will-visit-duke-for-midnight-madness/): AJ Griffin will be making a visit to Duke for Countdown to Craziness on October 18th. The youngest of the Griffins will be visiting with his mother, Audrey.

DavidBenAkiva
09-09-2019, 09:35 PM
After visiting AJ Griffin, in Westchester County, NY, Chris Carawell made it down to Memphis, TN to visit with one of the top point guards in the class of 2021, Kennedy Chandler. Chandler appears to be the top-rated point guard in the junior class. The hometown Memphis Tigers are involved as are pretty much every other high major program.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EEEIDuYWkAA8QOi?format=jpg&name=4096x4096

English
09-10-2019, 03:11 PM
Andrew Slater (https://twitter.com/Andrew__Slater/status/1171037380356255745) has an update via twitter on A.J. Griffin, a 5-star recruit from the Class of 2021. Duke has extended an offer and will be watching the young man during the first day of the fall live period.

Griffin is a 6'7" SF from White Plains, NY and is the son of former Seton Hall standout and long-time NBA player and assistant coach Adrian Griffin. A.J.'s older brother is Alan Griffin, who just finished his freshman season at Illinois. Older sister Aubrey is also a Division 1 basketball player, McDonald's All-American, and a current freshman at UConn. A.J. appears to be the most highly rated prospect in his family. He was a key member of the USA U16 team over the summer and contains a mix of athleticism and shooting for his position. Given his slashing and shooting ability, Griffin appears to be able to play either the wing or as a stretch-4 position in college.

It seems that Kentucky has taken the lead in the Terrance Clarke recruitment while Duke has shifted attention to Griffin of late. The interest appears mutual. Here are highlights of Griffin from over the summer in which he helped lead Team USA to a victory over Canada in the Gold Medal game.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlZrfBL6LJA

AJ reminds me a bit of Myles Jones, the All-America Duke lax player a couple years ago, from this picture and others. Just a random thought on a workday afternoon.

Excited that the staff is involved and that interest appears mutual.

Billy Dat
09-10-2019, 04:37 PM
After visiting AJ Griffin, in Westchester County, NY, Chris Carawell made it down to Memphis, TN to visit with one of the top point guards in the class of 2021, Kennedy Chandler. Chandler appears to be the top-rated point guard in the junior class. The hometown Memphis Tigers are involved as are pretty much every other high major program.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EEEIDuYWkAA8QOi?format=jpg&name=4096x4096

Happy to see recruiting right in Penny's backyard. No reason to ceed Memphis to Penny and Cal.

907bluedevils
09-11-2019, 08:03 PM
https://twitter.com/RyanJamesMN/status/1171509485455544329

Duke visiting 2021 5* Chet Holmgren out of Minnesota.

Dr. Rosenrosen
09-11-2019, 08:18 PM
https://twitter.com/RyanJamesMN/status/1171509485455544329

Duke visiting 2021 5* Chet Holmgren out of Minnesota.
Somebody please feed that kid a steak or three!

DavidBenAkiva
09-11-2019, 09:06 PM
https://twitter.com/RyanJamesMN/status/1171509485455544329

Duke visiting 2021 5* Chet Holmgren out of Minnesota.

That is a very interesting development. Kid is blowing up (in style of play if not weight).

He was at Steph Curry's camp over the summer and had an extremely nice move, a behind the back dribble and passed right by Curry to get to the hoop. He can shoot it, dribble it, and has some good quickness. He might be one of the next great NBA centers if he can add any amount of muscle.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs3VUmYvvxU

bullettoothtony
09-11-2019, 09:18 PM
^ Duke really likes him, especially in that class.


Great player, and I know it's early but I read an article a few days ago where he just raved about Kentucky. Even said his mom really likes Cal.

Edit: just found the article

https://www.google.com/amp/s/balldurham.com/2019/09/05/duke-basketball-target-high-kentucky/amp/

NSDukeFan
09-12-2019, 05:16 PM
https://twitter.com/RyanJamesMN/status/1171509485455544329

Duke visiting 2021 5* Chet Holmgren out of Minnesota.

What are the chances of Duke getting someone to come all the way from Minnesota? 😀

AGDukesky
09-12-2019, 05:32 PM
What are the chances of Duke getting someone to come all the way from Minnesota? 😀

😀

Well if his last name is Jones then pretty good but Holmgren is a little too close to Humphries for my liking...

jimsumner
09-12-2019, 07:30 PM
��

Well if his last name is Jones then pretty good but Holmgren is a little too close to Humphries for my liking...

But it's close to Hurt and/or Horvath.

devildeac
09-12-2019, 09:50 PM
😀

Well if his last name is Jones then pretty good but Holmgren is a little too close to Humphries for my liking...


But it's close to Hurt and/or Horvath.

And, it's also close to Holmberg but he's from Heritage. :o

BD80
09-12-2019, 11:15 PM
And, it's also close to Holmberg but he's from Heritage. :o

Isn't that where hurricanes hardly happen?

devildeac
09-13-2019, 09:11 AM
Isn't that where hurricanes hardly happen?

Hopelessly, yes.

DavidBenAkiva
09-13-2019, 06:13 PM
Via twitter, Paolo Banchero released his Top 9, which includes Baylor, Duke, Georgetown, Gonzaga, Kentucky, Memphis, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Washington.

The entire Duke coaching staff is flying out to Seattle to visit with Banchero next week. The young big man has said that he will stay in the Class of 2021. A lot of time left to go in this one.

westwall
09-14-2019, 12:16 AM
Hopelessly, yes.

Also true, unfortunately, of the ability of threads here to stay on topic!

lotusland
09-14-2019, 12:41 PM
Is it just me or is it weird that the front page has Terrence Clark committing in 20 minutes with Duke a contender but no posts at all here about it. Rupp Rafters has 2 threads discussing it.

It’s bad luck for Duke if I tune in so I’ll just check back later around 2:00.

Pghdukie
09-14-2019, 01:31 PM
It was a for-gone conclusion that Clark was headed to Kentucky.

Spanarkel
09-16-2019, 11:22 AM
Duke visited 2021 5*/ 6'8" Jabari Smith, Jr.(Sandy Creek HS/Tyrone, GA)this morning. Son of former LSU/NBA player. He does not currently hold an offer from Duke as best as I can tell.

https://www.ajc.com/blog/high-school-sports/sandy-creek-smith-making-name-for-himself/P1Fdw7ySCvoCPB2dYfOBdM/#

DavidBenAkiva
09-16-2019, 11:42 AM
Duke visited 2021 5*/ 6'8" Jabari Smith, Jr.(Sandy Creek HS/Tyrone, GA)this morning. Son of former LSU/NBA player. He does not currently hold an offer from Duke as best as I can tell.

https://www.ajc.com/blog/high-school-sports/sandy-creek-smith-making-name-for-himself/P1Fdw7ySCvoCPB2dYfOBdM/#

With all of the defections from the Class of 2021 up to '20, you wonder who is going to be around next year. Might as well get the feelers out sooner, rather than later.

jimsumner
09-16-2019, 12:16 PM
With all of the defections from the Class of 2021 up to '20, you wonder who is going to be around next year. Might as well get the feelers out sooner, rather than later.

First need to figure out which players from the class of '22 will reclass to the class of '21.

UrinalCake
09-18-2019, 10:06 AM
The Twitters tell me that after securing Clarke, UK is no longer recruiting top-5 guard Jalen Green. Duke has shown interest and he is likely to schedule a visit, even though we are getting in late. Things can change fast.

DavidBenAkiva
09-18-2019, 12:05 PM
The new rankings (https://247sports.com/Season/2021-Basketball/RecruitRankings/), including changes, reflect observations from the summer AAU circuit and a few reclassifications. Players of note/interest are below.

1. Jonathan Kuminga, 6'8" F (no change)
2. Chet Holmgren, 7'0" C (+4) - Duke has not offered (yet?)
3. Patrick Baldwin, Jr. 6'8" F (-1)
4. Paolo Banchero, 6'9" F (+1)
5. AJ Griffin, Jr., 6'7" F (+4)
6. Jabari Smith, 6'8" PF (+4) - Duke has not offered (yet?)
10. Max Christie, 6'6" G (+1)
19. Kennedy Chandler, 6'1" PG (+8) - Duke has not offered (yet?)

Duke currently appears to be in great shape with Kuminga, Baldwin, Griffin, and Christie. It's unclear to me if Kuminga is going to stay in the Class of 2021. In an article, about the new rankings, Evan Daniels wrote the Kuminga would be in contention for the #1 overall player were Kuminga to reclassify to the Class of 2020.

budwom
09-18-2019, 12:18 PM
With all of the defections from the Class of 2021 up to '20, you wonder who is going to be around next year. Might as well get the feelers out sooner, rather than later.

It seems like every year some new targets emerge in the summer camps...some of the guys we're recruiting for 2020 weren't on the radar at year ago...or were only tiny blips...

DavidBenAkiva
10-10-2019, 09:02 PM
One of the top Duke targets for 2021, AJ Griffin, Jr. was a standout performer at the 2019 Northeast Fall Invitational over the weekend. Prep Circuit (https://www.prepcircuit.com/news_article/show/1054976) had a write up of several players, including Griffin.


2021 F A.J. Griffin (Archbishop Stepinac, NY) – Another MVP candidate from this past weekend was without a doubt Adrian Griffin Jr. out of Archbishop Stepinac. Griffin Jr. had himself a very outstanding performance in both games during his time in Jersey. He was able to show his power, strength, and athleticism throughout, scored effectively and effortlessly, and was super active on the defensive end of the ball. A.J was assertive on the glass and proved his guard skills as a 6-foot-6 plus forward. Let us not be surprised if the top ranked junior puts up huge numbers throughout the high school season.

Sound a bit Winslow-esque, no? Griffin will be attending Countdown to Craziness along with fellow Class of 2021 player Paolo Banchero.

DavidBenAkiva
10-14-2019, 11:35 AM
Somewhat big news in recruiting: Jonathan Kuminga had an interview with Jake Weingarten of Stockrisers and reiterates he will stay in the Class of 2021 (https://stockrisers.com/2019/10/14/jon-kuminga-im-staying-in-2021-also-says-hes-open-to-all-schools-sets-junior-year-goals/).

ChillinDuke
10-14-2019, 12:22 PM
Somewhat big news in recruiting: Jonathan Kuminga had an interview with Jake Weingarten of Stockrisers and reiterates he will stay in the Class of 2021 (https://stockrisers.com/2019/10/14/jon-kuminga-im-staying-in-2021-also-says-hes-open-to-all-schools-sets-junior-year-goals/).

Might be a bummer for next year. We could really use one more stud recruit for next year, and he was one of few obvious options remaining.

- Chillin

DavidBenAkiva
10-14-2019, 03:12 PM
Might be a bummer for next year. We could really use one more stud recruit for next year, and he was one of few obvious options remaining.

- Chillin

There's always a silver lining. A player may become available later on in the spring. And I still have a feeling that Jalen Johnson will play a lot of his minutes defending 4's while he's at Duke, which opens up time for O'Connell, Baker, and possibly Brakefield on the wings. Then again, there could be a sophomore or two on the roster that fits this roster as well as nearly any stud freshmen would have.

DavidBenAkiva
10-20-2019, 02:16 PM
A lot of crystal ball activity for AJ Griffin, Jr. over the weekend. Duke insiders Andrew Slater, Chad Lykins, and John Watson all put in CB picks for Griffin to Duke. Dain Ervin added to the group. Ervin is not a Duke-specific insider, so word must have gotten out that Griffin liked what he heard and saw while at Countdown to Craziness.

bullettoothtony
10-20-2019, 04:07 PM
A lot of crystal ball activity for AJ Griffin, Jr. over the weekend. Duke insiders Andrew Slater, Chad Lykins, and John Watson all put in CB picks for Griffin to Duke. Dain Ervin added to the group. Ervin is not a Duke-specific insider, so word must have gotten out that Griffin liked what he heard and saw while at Countdown to Craziness.


Really glad to hear this. Griffin is a beast. He and Baldwin would be great together if we could get both of them.

DukieTiger
10-20-2019, 08:56 PM
A lot of crystal ball activity for AJ Griffin, Jr. over the weekend. Duke insiders Andrew Slater, Chad Lykins, and John Watson all put in CB picks for Griffin to Duke. Dain Ervin added to the group. Ervin is not a Duke-specific insider, so word must have gotten out that Griffin liked what he heard and saw while at Countdown to Craziness.

Don’t think it’s been shared yet, but here is an article from one of my favorite scouts who thinks AJ might end up as the top guy on his class.

https://www.thestepien.com/2019/10/08/adrian-griffin-jr-deserves-1-pick-consideration/

bullettoothtony
10-20-2019, 09:45 PM
Don’t think it’s been shared yet, but here is an article from one of my favorite scouts who thinks AJ might end up as the top guy on his class.

https://www.thestepien.com/2019/10/08/adrian-griffin-jr-deserves-1-pick-consideration/


That's one of the best articles I've ever read analyzing a high school player.

Thanks for the link!

DukieTiger
10-20-2019, 11:20 PM
That's one of the best articles I've ever read analyzing a high school player.

Thanks for the link!

Happy to share! I can’t recommend the guys at the Stepien enough. They produce some really interesting content.

Billy Dat
10-21-2019, 11:58 AM
Stepinac High School is in my area and RJ Davis, AJ Griffin's Class of 2020 teammate, just announced for the Heels this morning, no doubt hurting the heart of Jeff Capel who went after him hard.

ChillinDuke
10-21-2019, 11:30 PM
Happy to share! I can’t recommend the guys at the Stepien enough. They produce some really interesting content.

Wow you're not kidding. Incredible breakdown. And frankly has me salivating over AJ.

Are we sure Troublemaker isn't THE Stepien? Remarkably insightful breakdown a la TM's gifs.

- Chillin

Troublemaker
10-22-2019, 09:36 AM
Wow you're not kidding. Incredible breakdown. And frankly has me salivating over AJ.

Are we sure Troublemaker isn't THE Stepien? Remarkably insightful breakdown a la TM's gifs.

- Chillin

You're too kind, my friend. Most articles by Cole Zwicker and friends blow away any prospect breakdowns I've ever done.

I've always enjoyed Zwicker whenever he appears on the Game Theory podcast and have learned a lot from him about evaluating talent.

Billy Dat
10-22-2019, 10:43 AM
I've always enjoyed Zwicker whenever he appears on the Game Theory podcast and have learned a lot from him about evaluating talent.

Not to derail the topic, but Sam Vecenie is someone who I alternately enjoy and detest - perhaps I am too sensitive about his frequent digs at Duke and K. The dude is smart and works hard and puts out a ton of content, although I do find his pods to usually be too long...and I am someone who can listen to a long pod.

Troublemaker
10-22-2019, 11:54 AM
Not to derail the topic, but Sam Vecenie is someone who I alternately enjoy and detest - perhaps I am too sensitive about his frequent digs at Duke and K. The dude is smart and works hard and puts out a ton of content, although I do find his pods to usually be too long...and I am someone who can listen to a long pod.

Yeah, I like Vecenie's guests more than Vecenie himself. If he were to do a solo podcast, I'd never listen since he's a 35-yr-old man (or so) who speaks like a "valley girl" to use an old-school term. (I think the modern labels for how he speaks is "uptalk" and "vocal fry.")

Also, whenever Vecenie and Zwicker disagree on something (e.g. Zwicker liked Luka #1 and Vecenie liked Ayton), it seems like Zwicker ends up being right about 90% of the time. He's just the sharper analyst, and the podcast wouldn't be worth listening to if it were just Vecenie's opinion alone.

DavidBenAkiva
10-22-2019, 12:00 PM
Yeah, I like Vecenie's guests more than Vecenie himself. If he were to do a solo podcast, I'd never listen since he's a 35-yr-old man (or so) who speaks like a "valley girl" to use an old-school term. (I think the modern labels for how he speaks is "uptalk" and "vocal fry.")

Also, whenever Vecenie and Zwicker disagree on something (e.g. Zwicker liked Luka #1 and Vecenie liked Ayton), it seems like Zwicker ends up being right about 90% of the time. He's just the sharper analyst, and the podcast wouldn't be worth listening to if it were just Vecenie's opinion alone.

I like Vecenie's writing. He's one of the best writers about college basketball and an asset to The Athletic in my opinion.

DukeFanSince1990
11-04-2019, 09:24 AM
https://247sports.com/Player/AJ-Griffin-46056024/

-jk
11-04-2019, 09:30 AM
https://247sports.com/Player/AJ-Griffin-46056024/

Awesome!

Top 10 junior AJ Griffin commits to Duke (https://247sports.com/college/basketball/recruiting/Article/AJ-Griffin-Duke-Commits-Top-10--137995775/)

-jk

jaywilliams22
11-04-2019, 09:33 AM
Awesome!

Top 10 junior AJ Griffin commits to Duke (https://247sports.com/college/basketball/recruiting/Article/AJ-Griffin-Duke-Commits-Top-10--137995775/)

-jk

Huge news - I am from the area and he is a huge stud. The guys over at The Stepien recently did an in-depth article on considering him for #1 pick. Chance to be #1 player in the class no doubt.

https://www.thestepien.com/2019/10/08/adrian-griffin-jr-deserves-1-pick-consideration/

Billy Dat
11-04-2019, 09:33 AM
This is huge!!!!!!!!!!

JasonEvans
11-04-2019, 11:39 AM
Huge news - I am from the area and he is a huge stud. The guys over at The Stepien recently did an in-depth article on considering him for #1 pick. Chance to be #1 player in the class no doubt.

https://www.thestepien.com/2019/10/08/adrian-griffin-jr-deserves-1-pick-consideration/

That article is extremely well-researched and thoughtful. It also makes me extremely excited to get this kid in uniform! Hard to imagine there are 4 or 5 better prospects than him in the class.

budwom
11-04-2019, 12:12 PM
Furthermore, we may be able to complement (not a word out of you, Herr Sumner!) a 2021 OAD heavy group with next year's bunch of top 40 guys, quite a number of whom I suspect will not be OAD...e.g Brakefield, Williams, Coleman, Steward, maybe even Roach, who knows...that could be a very very good thing.

proelitedota
11-04-2019, 03:04 PM
Baring unexpected departures, I am expecting our 2021 rosters looks to be...

Mark Williams
Henry Coleman
Jaemyn Brakefield
Keenan Worthington
Joey Baker
AJ Griffin

One of DJ Steward/Roach/Christie
One of Wendell Moore/Cassius Stanley

+ Patrick Baldwin JR
+ One of Kuminga / Banchero (Kuminga grows a bit to be in PF range)

Starting lineup:

Banchero / Kuminga
Patrick Baldwin
AJ
Wendell Moore/Cassius Stanley
DJ Steward/Roach/Christie

We'll start 4 guys over 6'6 and switch positions 2-5 like we did last year's group. We'll also have 6'9 Henry Coleman and 6'9 Brakesfield to sub in. Mark Williams will be used for the ocassion we match against a larger front line.

sagegrouse
11-04-2019, 03:51 PM
Baring unexpected departures, I am expecting our 2021 rosters looks to be...

Mark Williams
Henry Coleman
Jaemyn Brakefield
Keenan Worthington
Joey Baker
AJ Griffin

One of DJ Steward/Roach/Christie
One of Wendell Moore/Cassius Stanley

+ Patrick Baldwin JR
+ One of Kuminga / Banchero (Kuminga grows a bit to be in PF range)

Starting lineup:

Banchero / Kuminga
Patrick Baldwin
AJ
Wendell Moore/Cassius Stanley
DJ Steward/Roach/Christie

We'll start 4 guys over 6'6 and switch positions 2-5 like we did last year's group. We'll also have 6'9 Henry Coleman and 6'9 Brakesfield to sub in. Mark Williams will be used for the ocassion we match against a larger front line.

Don't Jordan Goldwire and Alex O'Connell deserve consideration?

Kedsy
11-04-2019, 03:52 PM
Don't Jordan Goldwire and Alex O'Connell deserve consideration?

Not unless they redshirt this season or next.

proelitedota
11-04-2019, 03:53 PM
Don't Jordan Goldwire and Alex O'Connell deserve consideration?

If they're redshirting 2020 season then they'll be on the roster. :cool:

sagegrouse
11-04-2019, 03:59 PM
Don't Jordan Goldwire and Alex O'Connell deserve consideration?


Not unless they redshirt this season or next.


If they're redshirting 2020 season then they'll be on the roster. :cool:

That clears it up, although I think of this as the 2020 season, and Jordan and AOC are juniors. Next year is the 2021 season, beginning in November 2020, when they will be seniors. You are referring to the 2021-2022 season?

flyingdutchdevil
11-04-2019, 04:10 PM
That clears it up, although I think of this as the 2020 season, and Jordan and AOC are juniors. Next year is the 2021 season, beginning in November 2020, when they will be seniors. You are referring to the 2021-2022 season?

Yes, given this is the 2021 recruiting thread for players starting in the 2021-22 season.

MChambers
11-04-2019, 05:13 PM
Baring unexpected departures, I am expecting our 2021 rosters looks to be...

Mark Williams
Henry Coleman
Jaemyn Brakefield
Keenan Worthington
Joey Baker
AJ Griffin

One of DJ Steward/Roach/Christie
One of Wendell Moore/Cassius Stanley

+ Patrick Baldwin JR
+ One of Kuminga / Banchero (Kuminga grows a bit to be in PF range)

Starting lineup:

Banchero / Kuminga
Patrick Baldwin
AJ
Wendell Moore/Cassius Stanley
DJ Steward/Roach/Christie

We'll start 4 guys over 6'6 and switch positions 2-5 like we did last year's group. We'll also have 6'9 Henry Coleman and 6'9 Brakesfield to sub in. Mark Williams will be used for the ocassion we match against a larger front line.

Might as well start the minutes predictions!

proelitedota
11-04-2019, 05:19 PM
Might as well start the minutes predictions!

Never too early to rosterbate.

DavidBenAkiva
11-04-2019, 06:59 PM
Never too early to rosterbate.

I don't see Duke having a realistic shot with either Banchero or Kuminga. Things change, but there has been next to 0 buzz with those two. And I am perfectly fine with that.

PGs: Roach, Steward
SG: Christie
SF: Griffin, Baker
PF: Baldwin, Brakefield, Coleman
C: Williams, [INSERT BIG MAN HERE]

This would be a pretty, pretty good team IMO.

Troublemaker
11-05-2019, 03:52 PM
I don't see Duke having a realistic shot with either Banchero or Kuminga. Things change, but there has been next to 0 buzz with those two. And I am perfectly fine with that.

PGs: Roach, Steward
SG: Christie
SF: Griffin, Baker
PF: Baldwin, Brakefield, Coleman
C: Williams, [INSERT BIG MAN HERE]

This would be a pretty, pretty good team IMO.

I wouldn't write off Banchero since we love him and have been on him early. I know his "crystal ball" is all Washington right now but Hurt's was all Kansas at some point, too.

When Duke is persistent, we tend to be competitive in recruitments.

DavidBenAkiva
11-05-2019, 03:55 PM
I wouldn't write off Banchero since we love him and have been on him early. I know his "crystal ball" is all Washington right now but Hurt's was all Kansas at some point, too.

When Duke is persistent, we tend to be competitive in recruitments.

That is the truth!

English
11-05-2019, 04:12 PM
I don't see Duke having a realistic shot with either Banchero or Kuminga. Things change, but there has been next to 0 buzz with those two. And I am perfectly fine with that.

PGs: Roach, Steward
SG: Christie
SF: Griffin, Baker
PF: Baldwin, Brakefield, Coleman
C: Williams, [INSERT BIG MAN HERE]

This would be a pretty, pretty good team IMO.

Perhaps not buzzworthy (YMMV), but Paolo Banchero was on Duke's campus for an OV two weeks ago for CTC.
9925

ETA: That's Hunter Dickinson next to him on the right, and Henry Coleman behind.

Ky-Dukie
11-08-2019, 12:09 PM
https://247sports.com/Player/Jonathan-Kuminga-46056391/

Duke makes top 10 for Kuminga.

JasonEvans
11-08-2019, 12:30 PM
https://247sports.com/Player/Jonathan-Kuminga-46056391/

Duke makes top 10 for Kuminga.

The list, in case anyone was wondering.

Auburn, Duke, Florida State, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Memphis, Michigan, Texas Tech and Washington

Bit of a surprise that LSU is not in there as they were supposedly one of the front runners and one of the 247 gurus had picked them as his eventual home. I think this shows how early things are for Kuminga and that he hasn't really narrowed things all that much yet.

JasonEvans
11-08-2019, 12:32 PM
Perhaps not buzzworthy (YMMV), but Paolo Banchero was on Duke's campus for an OV two weeks ago for CTC.
9925

ETA: That's Hunter Dickinson next to him on the right, and Henry Coleman behind.

First glance at the photo -- Immediately upon committing, Coleman grew 6 inches and is now 7-1!!
Closer look at the photo -- Coleman is standing on the benches behind Dickinson and Banchero... damn!

proelitedota
11-08-2019, 01:12 PM
First glance at the photo -- Immediately upon committing, Coleman grew 6 inches and is now 7-1!!
Closer look at the photo -- Coleman is standing on the benches behind Dickinson and Banchero... damn!

Coleman looks to have about 2 inches on Hunter.

Hunter is 7-0.

Bleacher seats are 6".

Therefore, Coleman is 6'8 with shoes.

6'8 238 lbs.

With 7-1 250lb Mark Williams
6-9 220+ Brakefield
6-8 240+ Henry Coleman

I think we're fine with the depth and size of our front court, but lacking in lottery talent or experience.

mattman91
11-08-2019, 01:28 PM
Coleman looks to have about 2 inches on Hunter.

Hunter is 7-0.

Bleacher seats are 6".

Therefore, Coleman is 6'8 with shoes.

6'8 238 lbs.

With 7-1 250lb Mark Williams
6-9 220+ Brakefield
6-8 240+ Henry Coleman

I think we're fine with the depth and size of our front court, but lacking in lottery talent or experience.

So, a bleacher seat is about the same height as a cinder block?

proelitedota
11-08-2019, 04:39 PM
So, a bleacher seat is about the same height as a cinder block?

The international unit of measurement cinder block yes.

jaywilliams22
12-09-2019, 06:57 PM
Some highlights from AJ Griffin's first game. Also in there is RJ Davis (UNC).

Griffin is going to be special by the time he gets to Duke.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fiza_YebIUk

jaywilliams22
12-09-2019, 08:06 PM
Some highlights from AJ Griffin's first game. Also in there is RJ Davis (UNC).

Griffin is going to be special by the time he gets to Duke.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fiza_YebIUk

And if you only like highlights, here ya go:

https://twitter.com/MovingPictureny/status/1203410075144073218?s=20

wsb3
12-09-2019, 08:14 PM
Might as well start the minutes predictions!

But what will we do next summer?

-jk
12-09-2019, 09:31 PM
But what will we do next summer?

Argue about minutes predictions...

-jk

ChillinDuke
12-09-2019, 09:45 PM
Some highlights from AJ Griffin's first game. Also in there is RJ Davis (UNC).

Griffin is going to be special by the time he gets to Duke.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fiza_YebIUk

Griffin looks big and beefy already. And boy does the touch on that shot look feathery.

- Chillin

DavidBenAkiva
12-09-2019, 09:48 PM
Duke has extended an offer to 2021 C Charles Bediako. 6'11" from Canada.

DavidBenAkiva
12-09-2019, 10:06 PM
Duke has extended an offer to 2021 C Charles Bediako. 6'11" from Canada.

Bediako is a reclass candidate to the Class of 2020. He seems like a bright young man with lots of high-major interest. From a tools perspective, Bediako has great size and length for the position and a developing skillset. He's received offers from a lot of high majors, including USC, Xavier, Michigan State, and now Duke.

This could be a sign that Duke has landed on its next center target. On the other hand, it's possible that Mark Williams might not be in college all that long. Either way, Bediako has gotten interest from Duke since the summer and now has an offer to consider.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FChvCqEENkM

gam7
12-09-2019, 11:23 PM
Griffin looks big and beefy already. And boy does the touch on that shot look feathery.

- Chillin

I like that most of those dunks were with his left (in the 1 min highlights), even though he clearly shoots with his right. I am going to take that as an indication that he has the potential to finish with either.

OZZIE4DUKE
12-09-2019, 11:28 PM
I like that most of those dunks were with his left (in the 1 min highlights), even though he clearly shoots with his right. I am going to take that as an indication that he has the potential to finish with either.

Ah, great! He's amphibious! http://www.crazietalk.net/ourhouse/images/smilies/devil9f.gif

BD80
12-09-2019, 11:47 PM
Duke has extended an offer to 2021 C Charles Bediako. 6'11" from Canada.


Ah, great! He's amphibious! http://www.crazietalk.net/ourhouse/images/smilies/devil9f.gif

You mean he speaks French and English? Dem dam Canadiens! Can't trust any of them! *


*Except to be polite and friendly and gracious. Furiners!

frb
12-10-2019, 01:19 AM
Bediako turns 18 in March so he wouldn't be a "young" reclass. He'd basically be the same age as most other freshmen in the 20/21 college season. Makes me think it's a formality that he will reclass.

DavidBenAkiva
12-10-2019, 07:35 PM
According to his twitter account (https://twitter.com/KChandler_1/status/1204551890681434113), top 2021 PG Kennedy Chandler has received an offer from Coach K and Duke. Chandler is widely considered among the top PGs in his class and has received offers from practically every high major. He is a resident of Memphis, TN and plays for Birarcrest Christian Academy.

DavidBenAkiva
12-11-2019, 10:12 AM
Bediako turns 18 in March so he wouldn't be a "young" reclass. He'd basically be the same age as most other freshmen in the 20/21 college season. Makes me think it's a formality that he will reclass.

Update on this from Clint Jackson (https://twitter.com/clintjackson1/status/1204776787374432259):


2021 C Charles Bediako tells us that he has talked it over with his family and will NOT be reclassifying. The junior big man is a priority target for a lot of programs.

Given the timing of this, I am sure that Duke knew that when they extended the offer. Perhaps they see Bediako as an option to replace Mark Williams if he ends up as a one-and-done. Evan Daniels saw Williams in action over the weekend against Jeremy Roach's high school team and had glowing things to say about Williams, that he had made a big leap since the summer. At any rate, this is an interesting wrinkle and one to keep an eye on.

JasonEvans
12-11-2019, 11:18 AM
According to his twitter account (https://twitter.com/KChandler_1/status/1204551890681434113), top 2021 PG Kennedy Chandler has received an offer from Coach K and Duke. Chandler is widely considered among the top PGs in his class and has received offers from practically every high major. He is a resident of Memphis, TN and plays for Birarcrest Christian Academy.

Sounds like Roach's recovery from the ACL has K and the staff convinced he will be OAD thus the need for a new PG in 2021-22.

Billy Dat
12-11-2019, 12:13 PM
According to his twitter account (https://twitter.com/KChandler_1/status/1204551890681434113), top 2021 PG Kennedy Chandler has received an offer from Coach K and Duke. Chandler is widely considered among the top PGs in his class and has received offers from practically every high major. He is a resident of Memphis, TN and plays for Birarcrest Christian Academy.

Yes, let's kick the hornet's nest in Penny's backyard.

lotusland
12-11-2019, 01:05 PM
Update on this from Clint Jackson (https://twitter.com/clintjackson1/status/1204776787374432259):



Given the timing of this, I am sure that Duke knew that when they extended the offer. Perhaps they see Bediako as an option to replace Mark Williams if he ends up as a one-and-done. Evan Daniels saw Williams in action over the weekend against Jeremy Roach's high school team and had glowing things to say about Williams, that he had made a big leap since the summer. At any rate, this is an interesting wrinkle and one to keep an eye on.

I’ve noticed that a decision not to re-class can be a short term decision. Didn’t Cole Anthony also decide not to reclass?

TruBlu
12-11-2019, 03:42 PM
I’ve noticed that a decision not to re-class can be a short term decision. Didn’t Cole Anthony also decide not to reclass?

Well, he’s still technically in a high school. 😇

jv001
12-11-2019, 04:05 PM
Well, he’s still technically in a high school. 😇

Uh no. He's in grade school over at Cheatville. :cool::cool:

GoDuke!

DavidBenAkiva
12-11-2019, 09:13 PM
The internet is abuzz with the latest Duke offer. This one goes out to Trevor Keels, a 6'5" guard from Paul VI Catholic High School of Fairfax, Virginia. That same team features Duke's future point guard, Jeremy Roach. Keels is known for his shooting and ability to attack the rim on closeouts. He is not the greatest athlete in the world but can really poor it in from deep. He impressed at Hoop Hall over the weekend in front of Coach K and the coaching staff.

Keels is now the 8th player in the Class of 2021 to receive an offer and third in the last week. He joins Patrick Baldwin, Paolo Banchero, Charles Bediako, Kennedy Chandler, Max Christie, Jonathan Kuminga, and Duke commit AJ Griffin.

UrinalCake
12-12-2019, 10:46 AM
According to his twitter account (https://twitter.com/KChandler_1/status/1204551890681434113), top 2021 PG Kennedy Chandler has received an offer from Coach K and Duke.

Apparently Chandler is best friends with Paolo Banchero. Perhaps Duke is hoping for a package deal here? When can they start the group text going?

SkyBrickey
12-12-2019, 03:36 PM
This class could shape up very differently than 2020 with all the 5-star offers that are out. The depth of our 2020 class paired with the star power of a potential 2021 class, along with some upperclassmen like Joey Buckets and maybe 1-2 of this year’s freshman class could make for a tremendous team. Getting way ahead of reality but fun to think about...

DavidBenAkiva
12-13-2019, 09:00 AM
This class could shape up very differently than 2020 with all the 5-star offers that are out. The depth of our 2020 class paired with the star power of a potential 2021 class, along with some upperclassmen like Joey Buckets and maybe 1-2 of this year’s freshman class could make for a tremendous team. Getting way ahead of reality but fun to think about...

The potential of the Class of 2021 is exciting. The Classes of 2019 and 2020 have a number of guys in the 15-30 range, which is borderline one-and-done territory. I expect that at least half of each class will still be around for a sophomore year. But the two classes before them, 2017 and 2018, are really thin after the one-and-dones have left. It's amazing to think about it, but these are the guys that have gone pro from those two years:

Marvin Bagley III, RJ Barrett, Wendell Carter, Jr., Trevon Duval, Cam Reddish, Gary Trent, Jr., Zion Williamson. Tell me that team wouldn't compete in the Eastern Conference right now if you throw in a couple of bench pieces and Tre Jones.

Next year, the upperclassmen will consist of Jordan Goldwire, Alex O'Connell, and Joey Baker. We know that Vernon Carey, Jr. is going to go pro after this season. I expect at least one of Matthew Hurt, Wendell Moore, and Cassius Stanley will go pro after this season and all 3 will almost certainly be gone by the 2021-22 season starts. That leaves a ton of PT to the Classes of '20 and '21.

For the 2021-22 season, I see it playing out something like this.

PG: Jeremy Roach or Kennedy Chandler, another PG recruit (or DJ Steward if he stays for a sophomore year)
SG: Max Christie, DJ Steward (maybe), Trevor Keels
SF: AJ Griffin, Joey Baker
PF: Patrick Baldwin, Jr., Jaemyn Brakefield (maybe), Henry Coleman II
C: Mark Williams or Paolo Banchero, Charles Bediako

It is a fool's errand to project this lineup this far ahead since only Griffin is committed for the Class of 2021 and there are so many unknowns. But I wanted to think through it and put it in writing here. Thanks for reading if you have gotten this far!

Kedsy
12-13-2019, 10:17 AM
Marvin Bagley III, RJ Barrett, Wendell Carter, Jr., Trevon Duval, Cam Reddish, Gary Trent, Jr., Zion Williamson. Tell me that team wouldn't compete in the Eastern Conference right now if you throw in a couple of bench pieces and Tre Jones.


All right, I’ll tell you. Not even close. Without Zion, that roster is the worst team in the NBA. By a lot. It remains to be seen how many games Zion is worth to an NBA roster, but I seriously doubt adding him to the league’s worst team would instantly turn that team into a contender.

Now, add Tatum and Ingram and Winslow and Tyus Jones, with Frank Jackson, Kennard, Allen, and Okafor as bench pieces, and maybe you’re on to something.

DavidBenAkiva
12-13-2019, 11:04 AM
All right, I’ll tell you. Not even close. Without Zion, that roster is the worst team in the NBA. By a lot. It remains to be seen how many games Zion is worth to an NBA roster, but I seriously doubt adding him to the league’s worst team would instantly turn that team into a contender.

Now, add Tatum and Ingram and Winslow and Tyus Jones, with Frank Jackson, Kennard, Allen, and Okafor as bench pieces, and maybe you’re on to something.

How do you think the Duke rookie and sophomore teams would do against Atlanta?

PG: Trae Young
SG: Kevin Heurter
SF: De'Andre Hunter
PF: John Collins
C: Damion Jones

PG: Tre Jones
SG: Cam Reddish
SF: RJ Barrett
PF: Zion Williamson
C: Wendell Carter, Jr.

I don't know, I think the Duke team would win its fair share of games there. Wendell Carter, Jr. is clearly the superior player at C. I would take RJ over Hunter at SF. The Zion vs. Collins matchup would be interesting but I think Zion takes that fairly easily. It's a wash between Reddish and Huerter. Young is clearly the superior scorer but Tre the superior defender. It's not that far apart.

CDu
12-13-2019, 11:22 AM
All right, I’ll tell you. Not even close. Without Zion, that roster is the worst team in the NBA. By a lot. It remains to be seen how many games Zion is worth to an NBA roster, but I seriously doubt adding him to the league’s worst team would instantly turn that team into a contender.

Now, add Tatum and Ingram and Winslow and Tyus Jones, with Frank Jackson, Kennard, Allen, and Okafor as bench pieces, and maybe you’re on to something.

I think the difference may be in terminology ("compete" versus "contender"). I don't think that the team DBA mentioned (which did include Zion) would be a contender. But I do think it could compete. Semantics really.

JasonEvans
12-13-2019, 11:33 AM
How do you think the Duke rookie and sophomore teams would do against Atlanta?

PG: Trae Young
SG: Kevin Heurter
SF: De'Andre Hunter
PF: John Collins
C: Damion Jones

PG: Tre Jones
SG: Cam Reddish
SF: RJ Barrett
PF: Zion Williamson
C: Wendell Carter, Jr.

I don't know, I think the Duke team would win its fair share of games there. Wendell Carter, Jr. is clearly the superior player at C. I would take RJ over Hunter at SF. The Zion vs. Collins matchup would be interesting but I think Zion takes that fairly easily. It's a wash between Reddish and Huerter. Young is clearly the superior scorer but Tre the superior defender. It's not that far apart.

I love your passion, David, but you are barking up the wrong tree here.

PG - Tre Jones has never played a second of NBA basketball and doesn't exactly seem like a lock to be a rotation player at this point... and you are comparing him to a likely All-Star in Trae Young. Huge advantage Hawks.

SG - Huerter is the starter ahead of Cam on the Hawks, so that tells you all you need to know about which team has an advantage here. Huerter is a far superior shooter though Cam's long arms make him a slightly better defender. Still, advantage Hawks.

SF- Hunter and RJ don't have radically different offensive stats thus far and Hunter is a far superior defender. I could argue Hunter is the more complete player because of the D, but I will let it go and we can call this a push.

PF - We are yet to see anything of what Zion will be in the NBA, other than some brief preseason action. He certainly looks like he could be a stud, but Collins is a really nice piece who was a 20 and 10 guy last year (not many of those in the NBA these days). He's a likely a future All-Star. Until we know more about what Zion will be against NBA competition, I'm tempted to call this a push but to be nice I will make it a small advantage for Duke.

C - Wendell is waaaay better than what the Hawks have in the middle. No doubt about that. He doesn't appear to be a future all-star, but is clearly a solid NBA player. Strong advantage Duke (though nowhere close to the advantage the Hawks have at PG).

Of course, your comparison did not touch on the bench, where the Hawks are absolutely crushing Duke in a major way. I mean, when the Hawks give a guy a rest, they bring in someone who is almost as good. When Duke goes to Duval or Trent they are going to guys who are basically somewhere between G-league and the end of a NBA bench.

The Dukie team you proposed (Marvin Bagley III, RJ Barrett, Wendell Carter, Jr., Trevon Duval, Cam Reddish, Gary Trent, Jr., Zion Williamson, Tre Jones and others) would have the worst backcourt and worst outside shooting of any team in the NBA by a really wide margin. Shooting matters.

-Jason "go back a couple years to add Tatum, Frank, Grayson, and Kennard to Marvin, Wendell, RJ, Cam, and Zion and you've probably got a playoff team though... need a PG probably" Evans

UrinalCake
12-13-2019, 11:35 AM
I hope we get to see Chandler and Joey [Baker] on the team together. Then we just need a Ross and we’d be all set!

DavidBenAkiva
12-13-2019, 12:08 PM
I love your passion, David, but you are barking up the wrong tree here.

PG - Tre Jones has never played a second of NBA basketball and doesn't exactly seem like a lock to be a rotation player at this point... and you are comparing him to a likely All-Star in Trae Young. Huge advantage Hawks.

SG - Huerter is the starter ahead of Cam on the Hawks, so that tells you all you need to know about which team has an advantage here. Huerter is a far superior shooter though Cam's long arms make him a slightly better defender. Still, advantage Hawks.

SF- Hunter and RJ don't have radically different offensive stats thus far and Hunter is a far superior defender. I could argue Hunter is the more complete player because of the D, but I will let it go and we can call this a push.

PF - We are yet to see anything of what Zion will be in the NBA, other than some brief preseason action. He certainly looks like he could be a stud, but Collins is a really nice piece who was a 20 and 10 guy last year (not many of those in the NBA these days). He's a likely a future All-Star. Until we know more about what Zion will be against NBA competition, I'm tempted to call this a push but to be nice I will make it a small advantage for Duke.

C - Wendell is waaaay better than what the Hawks have in the middle. No doubt about that. He doesn't appear to be a future all-star, but is clearly a solid NBA player. Strong advantage Duke (though nowhere close to the advantage the Hawks have at PG).

Of course, your comparison did not touch on the bench, where the Hawks are absolutely crushing Duke in a major way. I mean, when the Hawks give a guy a rest, they bring in someone who is almost as good. When Duke goes to Duval or Trent they are going to guys who are basically somewhere between G-league and the end of a NBA bench.

The Dukie team you proposed (Marvin Bagley III, RJ Barrett, Wendell Carter, Jr., Trevon Duval, Cam Reddish, Gary Trent, Jr., Zion Williamson, Tre Jones and others) would have the worst backcourt and worst outside shooting of any team in the NBA by a really wide margin. Shooting matters.

-Jason "go back a couple years to add Tatum, Frank, Grayson, and Kennard to Marvin, Wendell, RJ, Cam, and Zion and you've probably got a playoff team though... need a PG probably" Evans

Look, it's been a long, painful week without Duke basketball and we have 6 more days before another long, painful dy spell. I'm glad that we get to discuss these things.

gam7
12-23-2019, 06:35 PM
Re: front page article re: AJ Griffin - unless you all know about a re-class that I have not seen reported, AJ Griffin will not be arriving in the Triangle in the Fall. RJ Davis is a high school senior, but AJ Griffin is a high school junior.

JasonEvans
12-23-2019, 09:46 PM
Re: front page article re: AJ Griffin - unless you all know about a re-class that I have not seen reported, AJ Griffin will not be arriving in the Triangle in the Fall. RJ Davis is a high school senior, but AJ Griffin is a high school junior.

AJ is really young for his class (still 16). I cannot fathom he would be a reclass candidate.

westwall
12-29-2019, 10:10 PM
Went to today's "Slam Dunk to the Beach" (Lewes DE) to see Duke commits Roach and Griffin, in action, and on opposing teams, Paul VI and Archbishop Stepinac. In the same game also saw Trevor Keels (2021 ESPN #35, has Duke offer) of Paul VI, and RJ Davis of A.S. a 2020 UNC commit.
Thought all played well though not outstanding; except for Keels all were so-so on free throws. Roach and Davis are both good drivers, Davis perhaps a bit quicker, Roach a bit bigger. Keels has a 3 pt reputation but was only 1-4. I don't recall Roach attempting to score frequently in the first half, or taking any 3s, except with less than 20 seconds to go in the game when he hit two 3s in a row off the dribble cleanly. Davis was 0-3 on 3s. Griffin clearly has a body ready for the ACC and beyond. He also has a feathery touch on his shots; don't recall any 3 attempts by him, but the box score shows 0-1.
High scorer was Davis with 21 on 7-19 and 7 of 10 FT. Next was Keels with 19 on 8-19 and 2-2 FT. Griffin had 18 with 7-13 and 4-8 FT. Roach ended with 17 on 6-14, including 3-6 FT and 2 of 7 on 3 pt attempts. Roach moved well and I didn't see any effects of his recent injury.
Also in attendance were Ol' Roy and Hubert, apparently only for that game out of the six that were scheduled on Sunday. They may have come to scout generally, but their clear interest was Davis, with whom they met following the game. Roy was a center of attention for many of the fans, and he posed for pictures with dozens of them, including the security officers. Didn't see any Duke staff in attendance.

Billy Dat
01-03-2020, 09:28 PM
I am watching AJ Griffin’s game tonight and he just went down injured and had to be carried off the court. I hope he’s ok. His teammate, UNC-bound RJ Davis, is quick as a blur.

plimnko
01-04-2020, 10:33 AM
I am watching AJ Griffin’s game tonight and he just went down injured and had to be carried off the court. I hope he’s ok. His teammate, UNC-bound RJ Davis, is quick as a blur.


https://www.si.com/college/duke/basketball/aj-griffin-injured-knee

Dr. Rosenrosen
01-04-2020, 11:35 AM
https://www.si.com/college/duke/basketball/aj-griffin-injured-knee
Yikes. The words “gruesome injury” are not what anyone wanted to hear. But then also says the morning after they consider him day to day. So who knows. Sounds like they’ll be evaluating him medically Monday or Tuesday. Best wishes to the young man.

JasonEvans
01-05-2020, 11:54 AM
Uh-oh!!

AJ Griffin suffered a knee injury Friday night in a game. It has alternately been described as “gruesome” and “day-to-day” which tells us little. Please let it not be serious! This is a really special kid and it would be a terrible crime for some of his athleticism to be robbed by an injury.

https://247sports.com/college/duke/Article/2021-Duke-commit-AJ-Griffin-suffers-knee-injury--141628062/?utm_source=247Sports%20Newsletter&utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_campaign=200105_090437_Duke%20Blue%20Devils&utm_content=Link&liveconnect=C4-5E-C8-D5-A3-51-F3-78-35-D3-EE-0C-5B-17-3C-6B200105_090437DukeBlueDevils

Owen Meany
01-05-2020, 12:39 PM
I had "inside Basketball with Coach K" on. After it went off, a show called Sports Stars of Tomorrow came on. They are profiling Sheriff Cooper. I checked the program description to see if anyone else of interest would be on and it lists "feature on DJ Steward", for anyone else getting this program.

Owen Meany
01-05-2020, 01:38 PM
I realize now i posted in the wrong thread (2021 vs 2020). FWIW, it was a very short profile. Nice young man, well-spoken, from excellent school (academics.and sports, grads include Jahlil and Michelle Obama).

Troublemaker
01-08-2020, 01:54 PM
Sorry if this great news was already reported. I haven't seen it anywhere. But yeah, phew. Some thought it was going to be a much worse injury at first.


Varsity Insider‏Verified account @lohudinsider (https://twitter.com/lohudinsider) 18h18 hours ago (https://twitter.com/lohudinsider/status/1214717845726203904)More
Stepinac junior Adrian Griffin Jr. has been diagnosed with a sprained left knee and is expected to miss 2-3 weeks. He suffered a dislocated knee Friday vs. Iona Prep, but exams found no ligament or bone damage.Very good news for the @dukebasketball (https://twitter.com/dukebasketball) commit all things considered.


Here's the news article: https://www.lohud.com/story/sports/high-school/varsity-insider/2020/01/07/duke-commit-adrian-griffin-jr-diagnosed-knee-sprain/2838535001/

gam7
01-08-2020, 02:06 PM
Sorry if this great news was already reported. I haven't seen it anywhere. But yeah, phew. Some thought it was going to be a much worse injury at first.


Varsity Insider‏Verified account @lohudinsider (https://twitter.com/lohudinsider) 18h18 hours ago (https://twitter.com/lohudinsider/status/1214717845726203904)More
Stepinac junior Adrian Griffin Jr. has been diagnosed with a sprained left knee and is expected to miss 2-3 weeks. He suffered a dislocated knee Friday vs. Iona Prep, but exams found no ligament or bone damage.Very good news for the @dukebasketball (https://twitter.com/dukebasketball) commit all things considered.


Here's the news article: https://www.lohud.com/story/sports/high-school/varsity-insider/2020/01/07/duke-commit-adrian-griffin-jr-diagnosed-knee-sprain/2838535001/



Wow, that is good news. Sounds like a Mahomes type injury.

mr. synellinden
01-08-2020, 02:08 PM
Sounds similar to Mahomes which is exactly what I “hoped” for when I heard gruesome injury but then it was described as less serious and maybe more of a day-to-day thing. Under the circumstances it sounds like very good news.

Edit: gam7 beat me to it.

Jaks19
01-08-2020, 02:39 PM
Griffin is going to be a stud. He is already a top 10 player in the class but he is physically mature now at 6-7 200 and he can score in many ways. His ability to defend is underrated.

The kid is going to be very good at Duke.

If this class pans out with Griffin, Balwin, Banchero, Chandler, Christie &/or Keels and Bediako...

golfinesquire
01-08-2020, 02:48 PM
Really glad for the news about AJ. Maybe on of the docs can answer this question for me but I did not think it was possible to dislocate a knee without tearing ligaments. I was wondering if they meant kneecap.

Pghdukie
01-16-2020, 09:12 PM
Is Duke interested in Chet Holmgren ? He's a 7ft center out of Minnesota. Rivals has him ranked in the top 5 of this recruiting cycle.

bullettoothtony
01-16-2020, 10:23 PM
Is Duke interested in Chet Holmgren ? He's a 7ft center out of Minnesota. Rivals has him ranked in the top 5 of this recruiting cycle.

Curious about this myself

I read somewhere that he wants to hear from us. Don't know if he has.

CameronBlue
01-16-2020, 10:43 PM
Curious about this myself

I read somewhere that he wants to hear from us. Don't know if he has.

I think Duke's last 7-footer was Zoubs wasn't it? That turned out pretty well.

-jk
01-16-2020, 10:50 PM
I think Duke's last 7-footer was Zoubs wasn't it? That turned out pretty well.

Isn’t Marshall a 7 footer?

-jk

Kedsy
01-16-2020, 11:04 PM
Isn’t Marshall a 7 footer?

-jk

Marshall Plumlee was listed at 7'0". Antonio Vrankovic was listed at 7'0". Mark Williams (2020-21 freshman) is also listed at 7'0".

Going back, Brian Zoubek was listed at 7'1", George Burgin was listed at 7'0" and Marty Nessley was listed at 7'2.

Those are all the "official" 7 footers coached by Coach K at Duke.

UrinalCake
01-16-2020, 11:49 PM
Holmgren is an intriguing prospect. 7 footer, can handle the ball and shoot with some range, skinny like you wouldn’t believe. He makes high school Brandon Ingram look beefy and filled out. He recently visited UNC and picked up an offer from Roy. I can’t imagine why anyone would want to go there given the current state of affairs, but who knows.

brevity
01-17-2020, 02:12 AM
Holmgren is an intriguing prospect. 7 footer, can handle the ball and shoot with some range, skinny like you wouldn’t believe. He makes high school Brandon Ingram look beefy and filled out. He recently visited UNC and picked up an offer from Roy. I can’t imagine why anyone would want to go there given the current state of affairs, but who knows.

No, I get it. Roy Williams wants a pair of 7-footers manning the post for a few years. Walker Kessler will be a sophomore when Chet Holmgren is a freshman, so they'll have a least three years together, maybe four or more if John Swofford allows it.

UNC fans will drool, thinking they're Eric Montross and Kevin Salvadori all over again, and that Roy is Dean and the Carolina Way is back for good. They will also drool because they have slack jaws and don't carry around handkerchiefs, towels, or even fast food napkins. That campus is about to become very sticky.

CrazyNotCrazie
01-17-2020, 06:13 AM
No, I get it. Roy Williams wants a pair of 7-footers manning the post for a few years. Walker Kessler will be a sophomore when Chet Holmgren is a freshman, so they'll have a least three years together, maybe four or more if John Swofford allows it.

UNC fans will drool, thinking they're Eric Montross and Kevin Salvadori all over again, and that Roy is Dean and the Carolina Way is back for good. They will also drool because they have slack jaws and don't carry around handkerchiefs, towels, or even fast food napkins. That campus is about to become very sticky.

But who would play the role of Matt Wenstrom?

roywhite
01-17-2020, 08:19 AM
What list of Carolina big men would be complete without Serge Zwikker, the "Dutch Windmill"?

dm9e24
01-17-2020, 09:26 AM
I don't think you really want Holmgren at unc. He is very, very good.

budwom
01-17-2020, 10:03 AM
What list of Carolina big men would be complete without Serge Zwikker, the "Dutch Windmill"?

he was great, but no one could touch The Fing

BD80
01-17-2020, 10:55 AM
Holmgren is an intriguing prospect. 7 footer, can handle the ball and shoot with some range, skinny like you wouldn’t believe. ...

So, the second coming of Kevin Durant? I say offer him a scholly.

bullettoothtony
01-17-2020, 11:26 AM
I don't think you really want Holmgren at unc. He is very, very good.


I agree. True, he's really thin but he looks awfully skilled.

Steven43
01-17-2020, 11:38 AM
Holmgren is skinny like you wouldn’t believe. He makes high school Brandon Ingram look beefy and filled out.
I was intrigued after your comments about Chet Holmgren, so I looked up some photos . My gosh, you weren’t kidding. I didn’t think it was possible for a high-level basketball player to be skinnier than Brandon was at Duke, but, boy was I wrong! Talk about the ectomorph body type to the extreme, my goodness.

I haven’t seen young Holmgren play, but I have to wonder how he keeps from getting pushed around and absolutely manhandled near the basket.

MChambers
01-17-2020, 12:41 PM
he was great, but no one could touch The Fing

What about Kris Lang?

DavidBenAkiva
01-17-2020, 12:42 PM
I was intrigued after your comments about Chet Holmgren, so I looked up some photos . My gosh, you weren’t kidding. I didn’t think it was possible for a high-level basketball player to be skinnier than Brandon was at Duke, but, boy was I wrong! Talk about the ectomorph body type to the extreme, my goodness.

I haven’t seen young Holmgren play, but I have to wonder how he keeps from getting pushed around and absolutely manhandled near the basket.

Holmgren is a highly intriguing basketball prospect. He is incredibly skilled, can handle, shoot, block shots, and score at all 3 levels. He is the definition of "unicorn" in the modern basketball sense. Any college team that gets his services for a year are going to be big-time competitors. And he seems like a high character kid. I hope Duke gets more involved.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-GU71xc1oE

Owen Meany
01-17-2020, 01:30 PM
This summer, a video went viral of Holgren playing at Steph Curry's camp and he was being guarded by Curry. He went behind his back twice (reminiscent of Kenny Anderson vs Bobby Hurley for those old enough to remember), went past Curry and then dunked. It was a popular video that garnered much attention given the sight of the unknown gangly 7 foot teenager going at Curry. I can't find a link now, but I remember that it was said that he wanted to hear from Duke and that soon after his stock began to rise and Duke did reach out to establish contact.

I'm on mobile, but here is a link to the play in question.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bC0hpjBo2z8

JasonEvans
01-17-2020, 01:32 PM
Is Duke interested in Chet Holmgren ? He's a 7ft center out of Minnesota. Rivals has him ranked in the top 5 of this recruiting cycle.

Carolina just offered him. He has some amazing YouTube videos showing a sweet shooting stroke for a kid who stands 7-1, but if you look at his AAU stats from last year (https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Chet-Holmgren/Summary/134799)... well, lets just say that 7 ppg, 5 rpg, 1 bpg while hitting 23% of your 3s is not exactly dominating the competition.

-Jason "he clearly has a lot of learn... if K wants to teach him, I've got no problem with that" Evans

plimnko
01-17-2020, 01:34 PM
Holmgren is a highly intriguing basketball prospect. He is incredibly skilled, can handle, shoot, block shots, and score at all 3 levels. He is the definition of "unicorn" in the modern basketball sense. Any college team that gets his services for a year are going to be big-time competitors. And he seems like a high character kid. I hope Duke gets more involved.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-GU71xc1oE

reminds me of tom buleson

budwom
01-17-2020, 01:40 PM
What about Kris Lang?

ah KLang! Had a good rookie year, totally declined thereafter.
And KLang (inadvertently) was the originator of the expression "in the truck" (small DBR factoid that could be verified by Julio) for a guy who commits someplace...KLang climbed into his uncle's pickup, and the rest is history.

Stray Gator
01-17-2020, 02:02 PM
That photo of Kris Lang reclining on the UNC bench is an unforgettable classic.

CDu
01-17-2020, 02:13 PM
Carolina just offered him. He has some amazing YouTube videos showing a sweet shooting stroke for a kid who stands 7-1, but if you look at his AAU stats from last year (https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Chet-Holmgren/Summary/134799)... well, lets just say that 7 ppg, 5 rpg, 1 bpg while hitting 23% of your 3s is not exactly dominating the competition.

-Jason "he clearly has a lot of learn... if K wants to teach him, I've got no problem with that" Evans

To be fair, those were his stats from the 2018-19 season. He didn't really take off until this past summer, and earned a trip to USAB this past fall. He has apparently been a late bloomer.

Saratoga2
01-17-2020, 02:19 PM
Williams may wellbe a multi-year player so getting another 7 footer in either Holmgren or Bedaiko would give us depth at center in 2021. I expect all of those guys to gain weight and strength prior to getting to the Duke campus and moreso once they are in the program. In Holmgren's case, should he choose Duke, he would need to add 30 to 40 pounds to handle DIV 1 ball.

jv001
01-17-2020, 03:02 PM
Williams may wellbe a multi-year player so getting another 7 footer in either Holmgren or Bedaiko would give us depth at center in 2021. I expect all of those guys to gain weight and strength prior to getting to the Duke campus and moreso once they are in the program. In Holmgren's case, should he choose Duke, he would need to add 30 to 40 pounds to handle DIV 1 ball.

Or he could be our tallest point guard everrrrrrr. :cool:

GoDuke!

tbyers11
01-17-2020, 03:17 PM
That photo of Kris Lang reclining on the UNC bench is an unforgettable classic.

Ask and ye shall...

10112

arnie
01-17-2020, 03:27 PM
reminds me of tom buleson

Or Chuck Nevitt.

jimsumner
01-17-2020, 03:42 PM
ah KLang! Had a good rookie year, totally declined thereafter.
And KLang (inadvertently) was the originator of the expression "in the truck" (small DBR factoid that could be verified by Julio) for a guy who commits someplace...KLang climbed into his uncle's pickup, and the rest is history.

Lang's best season was his senior year, that 2002 UNC disaster, when he averaged 14 and 6. The bench poster is worthy of derision until the sun goes nova. But he was a decent college player, maybe a little better than decent.

robed deity
01-17-2020, 03:46 PM
Lang's best season was his senior year, that 2002 UNC disaster, when he averaged 14 and 6. The bench poster is worthy of derision until the sun goes nova. But he was a decent college player, maybe a little better than decent.

That stupid little baseline jump hook he had either went in or was a spectacular airball. My memory told me it was more the latter in 02 but I guess not.

BD80
01-17-2020, 04:13 PM
This summer, a video went viral of Holgren playing at Steph Curry's camp and he was being guarded by Curry. He went behind his back twice (reminiscent of Kenny Anderson vs Bobby Hurley for those old enough to remember), went past Curry and then dunked. It was a popular video that garnered much attention given the sight of the unknown gangly 7 foot teenager going at Curry. I can't find a link now, but I remember that it was said that he wanted to hear from Duke and that soon after his stock began to rise and Duke did reach out to establish contact.

I'm on mobile, but here is a link to the play in question.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bC0hpjBo2z8


Is breaking down Steph Curry really that big of a deal?

OZZIE4DUKE
01-17-2020, 05:15 PM
Holmgren is a highly intriguing basketball prospect. He is incredibly skilled, can handle, shoot, block shots, and score at all 3 levels. He is the definition of "unicorn" in the modern basketball sense. Any college team that gets his services for a year are going to be big-time competitors. And he seems like a high character kid. I hope Duke gets more involved.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-GU71xc1oE

He is the yin to Zion's yang. Melt them together and you'd get two very tall normally built people!http://www.crazietalk.net/ourhouse/images/smilies/devil9f.gif

DavidBenAkiva
01-28-2020, 08:39 AM
It's unclear if it means anything at the moment, but there have been a couple of Crystal Ball selections for Patrick Baldwin, Jr. in favor of Duke in the past couple of days. One of the picks came from a Chicago Bears insider that has never made a CB pick for college basketball. College basketball recruiting expert Jerry Meyer quickly followed up with another CB pick for Baldwin to Duke.

Baldwin doesn't have an official visit scheduled to my knowledge. Perhaps the NFL guy received some inside information through his Midwest connections. Baldwin's father, Patrick Sr., is the head coach at UW-Milwaukee. If i had to guess, this recruitment is going to be very low drama. The father wouldn't allow his colleagues to be played by the game. I expect that Baldwin, Jr. might commit out of the blue this spring or over the summer if he feels comfortable with choice. Here's hoping he follows his AAU teammates Jalen Johnson and Jaemyn Brakefield. Baldwin, along with AJ Griffin and a handful of others, is considered in the running for the best recruit in the class of 2021. He would be a huge get for Duke.

DavidBenAkiva
01-29-2020, 03:17 PM
Recruiting site Rivals has updated their Top 150 for the Class of 2021 (https://n.rivals.com/prospect_rankings/rivals150/2021), which comes a day after the update to the Class of 2020. It must be the update season. Rivals made no changes to its top 5 for the class, sticking with familiar faces. Duke commit AJ Griffin saw his position change, rising up 1 spot to #7 on the list.

Here's a look at a curated list of top players with a focus on Duke targets (change in parentheses, asterisk for players with an offer)

1. Jonathan Kuminga, 6'8" SF, NJ (no change)*
2. Paolo Banchero 6'9" PF (nc)*
3. Patrick Baldwin, Jr. 6'9" SF (nc)*
4. Chet Holmgren, 7'0" C (nc)
7. AJ Griffin, 6'6'" SF (+1)*
10. Kennedy Chandler, 6'0" PG (+1)*
15. Trevor Keels, 6'5" SG (+17)*
16. Max Christie, 6'5" SG (nc)*
24. Charles Bediako, 6'10" C (+29)*

The big rises for Keels and Bediako are interesting. I haven't seen them that high on other ratings. Both are in the 35-39 247Sports Composite, for example. Keels is a current teammate of Class of 2020 Commit Jeremy Roach. He is considered an elite shot maker, as is Max Christie.

I am not sure how serious the Duke staff is about Chet Holmgren, but it is clear that there has been communication in the past. He's the only one I've listed here that hasn't received an offer yet.

DavidBenAkiva
02-08-2020, 11:21 AM
For those that put stock in the Crystal Ball, there have been a couple of picks for Kennedy Chandler from a pair of Duke insiders, Adam Rowe and John Watson. Chandler is considered one of the top PGs in the class of 2021. He is 6'1" and is a native of Memphis, TN. All the big-time programs are after Chandler. There has been some scuttlebutt on twitter that he is also close with top big man Paolo Banchero with the two talking about wanting to play together in college. Might Duke's next super class come from 2021?

Committed: AJ Griffin
Offers: Patrick Baldwin, Jr., Paolo Banchero, Charles Bediako, Kennedy Chandler, Max Christie, Trevor Keels, and Jonathan Kuminga

Of that group, Duke appears to be in great shape with Baldwin, Banchero, Chandler, and Christie. I'm not as sure about Trevor Keels or Banchero. Duke has connections with Keels in that Jeremy Roach is his high school teammate. And with Chandler's interest and Banchero listing Duke among his top choices, things might be looking good there, too. I remain skeptical of the fit with Duke and Kuminga, but he is a talented young man. The bottom line is that Duke is looking to put together a monster class for 2021.

arnie
02-08-2020, 12:11 PM
For those that put stock in the Crystal Ball, there have been a couple of picks for Kennedy Chandler from a pair of Duke insiders, Adam Rowe and John Watson. Chandler is considered one of the top PGs in the class of 2021. He is 6'1" and is a native of Memphis, TN. All the big-time programs are after Chandler. There has been some scuttlebutt on twitter that he is also close with top big man Paolo Banchero with the two talking about wanting to play together in college. Might Duke's next super class come from 2021?

Committed: AJ Griffin
Offers: Patrick Baldwin, Jr., Paolo Banchero, Charles Bediako, Kennedy Chandler, Max Christie, Trevor Keels, and Jonathan Kuminga

Of that group, Duke appears to be in great shape with Baldwin, Banchero, Chandler, and Christie. I'm not as sure about Trevor Keels or Banchero. Duke has connections with Keels in that Jeremy Roach is his high school teammate. And with Chandler's interest and Banchero listing Duke among his top choices, things might be looking good there, too. I remain skeptical of the fit with Duke and Kuminga, but he is a talented young man. The bottom line is that Duke is looking to put together a monster class for 2021.

Chandler looks like a great backup for Sr. Tre Jones as we go for our 1st 3-peat.

lotusland
02-08-2020, 01:11 PM
But won’t Sophomore Jeremy Roach be the backup PG or are we rolling with JR at the off guard?

DavidBenAkiva
02-08-2020, 01:34 PM
But won’t Sophomore Jeremy Roach be the backup PG or are we rolling with JR at the off guard?

My expectation is that Jeremy Roach wants to be a one-and-done. He is, after Cade Cunningham, one of the best PGs in his class. He's a McDonald's All-American and part of the Nike Hoops Summit, Duke's only representative this year. Now he might not be good enough to be a 1st round draft pick. That's another matter, one we'll know more about in about a year from now.

lotusland
02-08-2020, 01:38 PM
My expectation is that Jeremy Roach wants to be a one-and-done. He is, after Cade Cunningham, one of the best PGs in his class. He's a McDonald's All-American and part of the Nike Hoops Summit, Duke's only representative this year. Now he might not be good enough to be a 1st round draft pick. That's another matter, one we'll know more about in about a year from now.

So 4 years from Tre is more likely than 2 from Roach? I don’t know anything about Roach but I don’t think we’ll even get the JWill 3rd year and graduate from Tre much less 4 years.

DavidBenAkiva
02-08-2020, 01:40 PM
So 4 years from Tre is more likely than 2 from Roach? I don’t know anything about Roach but I don’t think we’ll even get the JWill 3rd year and graduate from Tre much less 4 years.

I'm pretty sure Tre is leaving after this season. He's in the 1st round in most mock drafts as the shooting has improved.

2019-20: Tre Jones
2020-21: Jeremy Roach
2021-22: ??? (Chandler, maybe? ...hopefully?)
2022-23: Bronny James???

Dukehk
02-08-2020, 03:01 PM
Recruiting site Rivals has updated their Top 150 for the Class of 2021 (https://n.rivals.com/prospect_rankings/rivals150/2021), which comes a day after the update to the Class of 2020. It must be the update season. Rivals made no changes to its top 5 for the class, sticking with familiar faces. Duke commit AJ Griffin saw his position change, rising up 1 spot to #7 on the list.

Here's a look at a curated list of top players with a focus on Duke targets (change in parentheses, asterisk for players with an offer)

1. Jonathan Kuminga, 6'8" SF, NJ (no change)*
2. Paolo Banchero 6'9" PF (nc)*
3. Patrick Baldwin, Jr. 6'9" SF (nc)*
4. Chet Holmgren, 7'0" C (nc)
7. AJ Griffin, 6'6'" SF (+1)*
10. Kennedy Chandler, 6'0" PG (+1)*
15. Trevor Keels, 6'5" SG (+17)*
16. Max Christie, 6'5" SG (nc)*
24. Charles Bediako, 6'10" C (+29)*

The big rises for Keels and Bediako are interesting. I haven't seen them that high on other ratings. Both are in the 35-39 247Sports Composite, for example. Keels is a current teammate of Class of 2020 Commit Jeremy Roach. He is considered an elite shot maker, as is Max Christie.

I am not sure how serious the Duke staff is about Chet Holmgren, but it is clear that there has been communication in the past. He's the only one I've listed here that hasn't received an offer yet.


Seen Keels play a few times. He is a big time scorer and just a smooth operator.

Reminds me of a young Eric Gordon. He is the real deal! Getting him and/or Christie would set us up VERY nicely for 2021.

Saratoga2
02-09-2020, 08:01 AM
Any recruit who watched the UNC/Duke game has got to have been impresses by the display of the Duke brotherhood when Moore's shot went in.

kshepinthehouse
02-09-2020, 08:14 AM
Any recruit who watched the UNC/Duke game has got to have been impresses by the display of the Duke brotherhood when Moore's shot went in.

Doesn’t every team display brotherhood when they hit a buzzer beater?

superdave
02-09-2020, 06:47 PM
Ask and ye shall...

10112

Oh man.....still so so beautifully awful.

Dukehky
02-09-2020, 07:40 PM
Just realized Jalen Johnson's dad's name is Rod.

Rod. Johnson.

Ha.

Utley
02-09-2020, 09:57 PM
Any recruit who watched the UNC/Duke game has got to have been impresses by the display of the Duke brotherhood when Moore's shot went in.

I saw a tweet showing a positive response from Kuminga to one of the game winning moments :). I'll take any positive sign I can find.

jimsumner
02-09-2020, 10:07 PM
Doesn’t every team display brotherhood when they hit a buzzer beater?

Or two.

DavidBenAkiva
02-16-2020, 01:26 PM
According to Jake Weingarten, Duke has reached out to Suffield, CT C Micawber "Mac" Etienne. Big Mac is a 6'10" 220 lb prospect noted for his high motor and shot blocking. Etienne, a top 75 recruiting in the junior class, is being heavily recruited by Dan Hurley at nearby UConn and many other high major schools. It is unclear how serious the interest is between Duke and Etienne. The young man bears more than a glancing resemblance to Joakim Noah if you ask me.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DuVGKWSXcAI1m3c.jpg

BD80
02-16-2020, 07:32 PM
According to Jake Weingarten, Duke has reached out to Suffield, CT C Micawber "Mac" Etienne. Big Mac is a 6'10" 220 lb prospect noted for his high motor and shot blocking. Etienne, a top 75 recruiting in the junior class, is being heavily recruited by Dan Hurley at nearby UConn and many other high major schools. It is unclear how serious the interest is between Duke and Etienne. The young man bears more than a glancing resemblance to Joakim Noah if you ask me.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DuVGKWSXcAI1m3c.jpg

Or:

10259

Jaks19
02-21-2020, 12:45 PM
It appears that there is going to be some 2021 recruiting updates or news coming.

Banchero and Chandler both high on Kentucky?

Is Duke all in for both Christie and Keels?

DavidBenAkiva
02-21-2020, 01:01 PM
It appears that there is going to be some 2021 recruiting updates or news coming.

Banchero and Chandler both high on Kentucky?

Is Duke all in for both Christie and Keels?

I haven't seen much chatter or posts and there haven't been too many Crystal Ball selections towards Duke of late. Do you have a source on this?

ChillinDuke
02-21-2020, 02:01 PM
It appears that there is going to be some 2021 recruiting updates or news coming.

Banchero and Chandler both high on Kentucky?

Is Duke all in for both Christie and Keels?


I haven't seen much chatter or posts and there haven't been too many Crystal Ball selections towards Duke of late. Do you have a source on this?

Based on his consistent, excellent work in this and other recruiting threads, I'm with DBA on this one.

Thanks, DBA, for all you do.

- Chillin

DavidBenAkiva
02-21-2020, 02:02 PM
Based on his consistent, excellent work in this and other recruiting threads, I'm with DBA on this one.

Thanks, DBA, for all you do.

- Chillin

Thanks, but I am not doubting. I am curious.

Jaks19
02-21-2020, 02:09 PM
No sources. Just what I have been reading from guys like Evans, Daniels and others.

Just curious too about Kentucky and Banchero and Chandler. Those two have said they could be teaming up together in college and if they did, they would be quite the duo.

The other thing I was asking is if Keels and Christie are A and B or is the plan to add both.

DavidBenAkiva
02-21-2020, 02:33 PM
No sources. Just what I have been reading from guys like Evans, Daniels and others.

Just curious too about Kentucky and Banchero and Chandler. Those two have said they could be teaming up together in college and if they did, they would be quite the duo.

The other thing I was asking is if Keels and Christie are A and B or is the plan to add both.

Ah ok, thanks for clearing that up.

Just based on nothing but my own hunch, I doubt much happens for the Class of 2021 over the next couple of months. The coaching staff are focused on the end of the season while the high schoolers are finishing up their own seasons. Then comes the Class of 2020 all star games (McDonald's, Jordan Brand, etc.). And the team usually focuses on finishing up any lingering recruiting battles for the upcoming season in April and May. So I don't think we'll see much about the Class of 2021 until the summer AAU circuit is well underway.

Now it is certainly possible a player like Patrick Baldwin, Jr. or Max Christie makes a surprise visit to campus when Duke hosts UNC. And there have been a few guys - Jalen Johnson, Jeremy Roach, and AJ Griffin come to mind - that have committed out of the blue. So it is always possible that something big affecting the Class of 2021 like a reclass happens. But other than that, I don't think we'll see too much news until May or June.

Jaks19
02-21-2020, 02:53 PM
The 2020 class is all but done except for maybe the reclassification of Jonathan Kuminga from 2021 to 2020. There hasn't been any mention of any other names that have surfaced. With Coleman being the option as the 5 after Williams, it appears the staff is content. Unless someone of the returning guys elects to transfer which is interesting to take a look at too.
Alex, is able to finish his degree over the summer thus he could become a grad transfer. Bot saying this will play out but there have been some whispers out there of this being a possibility.
Joey has not quite developed as expected and he too could pack his bags for another college.
JGold is the only returner I see for sure coking back.

DavidBenAkiva
02-21-2020, 03:00 PM
Speculating about Joey and O'Connell is simply that - speculation. There were rumors that Alex was looking to go elsewhere last summer and here he is. I don't care to engage in speculation on recruiting threads or suggest that a player "isn't panning out as planned." Just look at Goldwire and his development. Perhaps we will thank our lucky stars that we have a few upperclassmen on the team this time next year. If there's one thing I know for sure, it is that recruiting is a state of constant change. A guy going pro or not or an unexpected transfer can change things in a hurry. We shall see.

proelitedota
02-21-2020, 03:02 PM
Alex, is able to finish his degree over the summer thus he could become a grad transfer. Bot saying this will play out but there have been some whispers out there of this being a possibility.
Joey has not quite developed as expected and he too could pack his bags for another college.
JGold is the only returner I see for sure coking back.

Alex is a legacy recruit. I don't see him leaving. Joey appears to be really invested in our program. I doubt he would leave too.
The only potential transfer that I see is Matthew Hurt if he elects not to go to the draft.

UrinalCake
02-21-2020, 03:23 PM
According to Jake Weingarten, Duke has reached out to Suffield, CT C Micawber "Mac" Etienne. Big Mac is a 6'10" 220 lb prospect noted for his high motor and shot blocking.

Sounds like he could become a McDonald’s All-American.

53n206
02-21-2020, 04:40 PM
Alex is a legacy recruit. I don't see him leaving. Joey appears to be really invested in our program. I doubt he would leave too.
The only potential transfer that I see is Matthew Hurt if he elects not to go to the draft.

Why would Hurt transfer? He gets lot of playing time.

pfrduke
02-21-2020, 05:09 PM
Please stop posting transfer speculations. It’s not fair to the players on the team and, more importantly, against the posting guidelines of the boards.

Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15
02-21-2020, 05:49 PM
Alex is a legacy recruit. I don't see him leaving. Joey appears to be really invested in our program. I doubt he would leave too.
The only potential transfer that I see is Matthew Hurt if he elects not to go to the draft.

So Hurt would either go pro or sit out a year?

proelitedota
02-21-2020, 07:47 PM
So Hurt would either go pro or sit out a year?

I don't think transfers would need to sit out a year next season.

JasonEvans
02-21-2020, 08:18 PM
I don't think transfers would need to sit out a year next season.

Yeah, it is increasingly looking like the wild wild west of free transfer is coming. It is fairly likely to be pass this April. It will completely change the landscape of college sports and could really upend team building.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/multiple-hurdles-remain-before-ncaa-can-relax-transfer-rules-for-revenue-sports/

Imagine a disgruntled five-star freshman dissatisfied with his dorm accommodations leaving after a season for a softer bed. Imagine two of the biggest dates on the college football calendar becoming the end of spring practice and end of fall camp. That's when a potential glut of quarterbacks (or wide receivers or running backs or defensive backs) would hit the market after losing position battles.

Basically, imagine the transfer portal times 10.

-Jason "I truly fear that the multi-year player at a school is going to become a thing of the past" Evans

PSurprise
02-21-2020, 08:39 PM
-Jason "I truly fear that the multi-year player at a school is going to become a thing of the past" Evans


We can expand the "Hot stove" thread to college basketball.Free agents?? Ugh.

arnie
02-21-2020, 08:59 PM
Yeah, it is increasingly looking like the wild wild west of free transfer is coming. It is fairly likely to be pass this April. It will completely change the landscape of college sports and could really upend team building.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/multiple-hurdles-remain-before-ncaa-can-relax-transfer-rules-for-revenue-sports/


-Jason "I truly fear that the multi-year player at a school is going to become a thing of the past" Evans

I think the plan includes a one time transfer without sitting out a year. So the kid hoping for the upgraded dorm room better make the perfect transfer decision.

UrinalCake
02-21-2020, 09:42 PM
Yeah, it is increasingly looking like the wild wild west of free transfer is coming. It is fairly likely to be pass this April. It will completely change the landscape of college sports and could really upend team building.

This would certainly affect the top programs, as some of our bench guys would leave to get more playing time at other schools. But the reverse is true too; top players at smaller schools would have an opportunity to leave and get more exposure at bigger programs. Can you imagine if K had free reign to pluck players off of other schools' rosters? I honestly think this will hurt the smaller schools more than help. Someone made this point a couple years ago when the transfer rule was first behind discussed - yes it hurts Duke to lose their 7th or 8th best player. But it hurts Elon or Wofford even more to lose their BEST player.

DavidBenAkiva
02-22-2020, 03:06 PM
This would certainly affect the top programs, as some of our bench guys would leave to get more playing time at other schools. But the reverse is true too; top players at smaller schools would have an opportunity to leave and get more exposure at bigger programs. Can you imagine if K had free reign to pluck players off of other schools' rosters? I honestly think this will hurt the smaller schools more than help. Someone made this point a couple years ago when the transfer rule was first behind discussed - yes it hurts Duke to lose their 7th or 8th best player. But it hurts Elon or Wofford even more to lose their BEST player.

With grad transfers, isn't this already the case? Some of the top teams in college basketball this year feature grad transfer that didn't have to sit out before playing their final year at SDSU, Kansas, Kentucky, etc. Duke and Coach K haven't taken advantage of that situation yet and, frankly, I don't see it changing all that much. Most of the top players at a Wofford or Elon are upperclassman that, with minimal planning, already go the grad transfer route.

My guess is that guys like Rodney Hood that were at high major programs or schools where the coach leaves will get the biggest benefit from this rule. When a high major recruit has to cope with the coach getting fired or taking a bigger job, the former McDonald's All-Americans aren't going to have to sit out a year. It will be open season on players from programs going through a coaching change. Those players aren't going to have the sit-out penalty anymore. And frankly, I think that's great news for the players. Why should they have to stay at the school anymore when the guy that recruited them is already out the door?

DavidBenAkiva
02-22-2020, 09:15 PM
No sources. Just what I have been reading from guys like Evans, Daniels and others.

Just curious too about Kentucky and Banchero and Chandler. Those two have said they could be teaming up together in college and if they did, they would be quite the duo.

The other thing I was asking is if Keels and Christie are A and B or is the plan to add both.

Credit to Jaks19! There is some 2021 recruiting news tonight. Top forward prospect Patrick Baldwin, Jr. is in attendance for the game tonight against Virginia Tech.

Here's a long write-up of Baldwin from the Chicago Tribune (https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/ct-patrick-baldwin-northwestern-duke-milwaukee-20200219-tgjq5obywzdatnkdjig4zwv7hy-story.html?outputType=amp&__twitter_impression=true). I was not aware that Baldwin Sr. was an assistant at Northwestern under Chris Collins before he took over at UW Milwaukee. Also of note, Baldwin Jr. is not just good friends with Jalen Johnson, he is also close with Max Christie.

budwom
02-23-2020, 11:46 AM
Credit to Jaks19! There is some 2021 recruiting news tonight. Top forward prospect Patrick Baldwin, Jr. is in attendance for the game tonight against Virginia Tech.

Here's a long write-up of Baldwin from the Chicago Tribune (https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/ct-patrick-baldwin-northwestern-duke-milwaukee-20200219-tgjq5obywzdatnkdjig4zwv7hy-story.html?outputType=amp&__twitter_impression=true). I was not aware that Baldwin Sr. was an assistant at Northwestern under Chris Collins before he took over at UW Milwaukee. Also of note, Baldwin Jr. is not just good friends with Jalen Johnson, he is also close with Max Christie.

Yes, these guys need to know about our popular Friends and Family Plan....(I think they do, fingers crossed).

Nugget
02-23-2020, 12:21 PM
Credit to Jaks19! There is some 2021 recruiting news tonight. Top forward prospect Patrick Baldwin, Jr. is in attendance for the game tonight against Virginia Tech.

Here's a long write-up of Baldwin from the Chicago Tribune (https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/ct-patrick-baldwin-northwestern-duke-milwaukee-20200219-tgjq5obywzdatnkdjig4zwv7hy-story.html?outputType=amp&__twitter_impression=true). I was not aware that Baldwin Sr. was an assistant at Northwestern under Chris Collins before he took over at UW Milwaukee. Also of note, Baldwin Jr. is not just good friends with Jalen Johnson, he is also close with Max Christie.

My understanding is that AJ Griffin's dad, Adrian, was also an assistant coach for the Bulls for a number of years, so that while for the past few seasons AJ's been in the New York area, he mostly grew up in Chicago -- thus, I'd imagine he would also know Baldwin and Christie fairly well.

BandAlum83
02-23-2020, 12:25 PM
Just realized Jalen Johnson's dad's name is Rod.

Rod. Johnson.

Ha.

Thanks, Beavis!

jimsumner
02-23-2020, 03:35 PM
Baldwin did sit with the Crazies last night.

devildeac
02-23-2020, 03:53 PM
Baldwin did sit with the Crazies last night.

WTH? And no scoldings?

:rolleyes:;)

DavidBenAkiva
02-23-2020, 05:42 PM
My understanding is that AJ Griffin's dad, Adrian, was also an assistant coach for the Bulls for a number of years, so that while for the past few seasons AJ's been in the New York area, he mostly grew up in Chicago -- thus, I'd imagine he would also know Baldwin and Christie fairly well.

Griffin played for the Bulls for a short time and coached from 2010-2015. As a lifelong Bulls fan, I was extra excited to see his youngest son commit to Duke.

As for his son, he would have been in middle school when he left the Bulls. Chicago is a big city. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Baldwin, Christie, and Griffin have known each other for a long time. But I wouldn't be surprised to hear that Griffin doesn't know the other two as well.

Let's just hope they form a tight bond one day, like brothers.

Jaks19
02-25-2020, 01:25 PM
Baldwin attended the Duke game and the next day also went over to see UNC.
Although many feel that Baldwin will end up at Duke, this is not a done deal.

It would be great to have the Chicago area connection with Griffin, Baldwin and Christie all in a Duke uni

Jaks19
02-26-2020, 10:21 AM
Also, looking at the potential roster for next season, if more than one of Stanley, Moore and Hurt return, one of or more of these 2021 recruits will go else where

kAzE
02-26-2020, 11:33 AM
Also, looking at the potential roster for next season, if more than one of Stanley, Moore and Hurt return, one of or more of these 2021 recruits will go else where

Either you're in the wrong recruiting thread, or you're talking about 2 of Stanley/Moore/Hurt staying for 2 more years. Those guys would have to be juniors to play with the high school class of 2021.

sagegrouse
02-26-2020, 12:05 PM
Also, looking at the potential roster for next season, if more than one of Stanley, Moore and Hurt return, one of or more of these 2021 recruits will go else where

Honestly, I have no idea what you are talking about. I would be pleased if two of Stanley, Moore and Hurt did return for the 2020-2021 season. But the 2021 recruits will play in the 2021-2022 season. If you are talking about 2021-2022, I would be ecstatic to have two of them available. Wow! Three seasons at Duke for Stanley, Moore and Hurt.

Perhaps you are talking about the 2020 recruits, who already have signed their letters of commitment, and the 2020-2021 season?

Kindly,
Sage
'If "they" would only move New Year's Day to November 1, we basketball fans wouldn't have to deal with these confusing hyphenated years. Heck, November 1 is already a holy day (Touts-Saints Jour -- All Saints, etc.) like New Year's Day (Feast of the Circumcision)'

Jaks19
02-26-2020, 12:51 PM
My mistake. I did mean 2020.

Yes, the players have signed NLOI's but that doesn't mean that they can't request to get out of it. See Boogie Ellis once Tre came back and Stanley committed. I feel that in this day and age of recruiting and the players (and their family or trusted persons) egos, that players will opt to leave if they don't see a means to achieve what they want. Carter stayed when Bagley committed, but look how vocal his mother has been since and how negatively she became.

For many of these kids, the roster and positional overlapping and/or potential impact on game minutes are criteria for selecting a college program. Agree with it or not.

Bluedog
02-26-2020, 01:01 PM
Also, looking at the potential roster for next season, if more than one of Stanley, Moore and Hurt return, one of or more of these 2021 recruits will go else where


My mistake. I did mean 2020.

Yes, the players have signed NLOI's but that doesn't mean that they can't request to get out of it. See Boogie Ellis once Tre came back and Stanley committed. I feel that in this day and age of recruiting and the players (and their family or trusted persons) egos, that players will opt to leave if they don't see a means to achieve what they want. Carter stayed when Bagley committed, but look how vocal his mother has been since and how negatively she became.

For many of these kids, the roster and positional overlapping and/or potential impact on game minutes are criteria for selecting a college program. Agree with it or not.

As long as Carey is gone after this season, we'll have scholarships available for all 6 players who signed LOIs. Buckmire would go back to walk-on status to bring it to 13 total. So, Stanley, Moore and Hurt can ALL return next season and we'd be okay from a scholarship perspective. But your point of positional overlap is true, and who knows what would happen in that case. Our recruiting class is very balanced across positions. The frontcourt seems to be where the need likely will be.

Jaks19
02-26-2020, 01:25 PM
Listen, I am just stating my opinion.

It would be ideal for Hurt to return, to add some more muscle/weight and work on his agility. But as others have mentioned, he has been OAD or wants to be since he was a high level HS recruit.

As a long time coach myself, I don't question how other coaches build their teams or who they recruit. But for me, I'd like to have an upperclassmen come in that can play the 5 and I like to have a 4 star type wing that is athletic, hard working and touch to be added. Neither AOC or Joey defend well and both of their inconsistencies are issues as far as their contributions game in and game out. Granted both bring a lot or talent and ability to score. A player like Stanley would be good even if a 3 star that K could develop.

Also, it would be very interesting to see a roster where Hurt & Moore returned and Kuminga reclassed and committed to Duke because in that situation would K go small with Hurt at the 5, Kuminga and Johnson as the 2 forwards, Moore and the 2 and Roach as the PG... Again, would that team be able to defend in the post?

DavidBenAkiva
03-05-2020, 08:48 PM
Prolific recruiting tweeter Jake Weingarten tweeted out a couple of days ago that top SG prospect Trevor Keels will be in attendance for Duke's matchup with UNC as part of an official visit. He will be joined by his high school teammate and Class of 2020 commit Jeremy Roach.

Keels is a high level shot maker and has rising up the recruiting rankings. He's been offered by just about everyone and has interest from several ACC and Big East teams. Keels seems to be favorable towards Duke from what I can tell, but so is Max Christie, another 5-star shooting guard from the Chicago area. It will be interesting to see if Duke could somehow convince both to consider the Blue Devils.

Here's a highlight video of Keels from over the summer.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcMgK9cisxc

bullettoothtony
03-05-2020, 10:58 PM
^ Yeah, anyone know if Keels and Christie are mutually exclusive?

Not sure who I like more, both are very impressive.

Jaks19
03-06-2020, 08:26 AM
I am sure Duke would take both and they could play off one another much like Jon and Gerald did.

Christie is a better ball handler and could be the secondary facilitator whereas, Keels is the better rebounder and gritty defender.

DavidBenAkiva
03-06-2020, 08:28 AM
^ Yeah, anyone know if Keels and Christie are mutually exclusive?

Not sure who I like more, both are very impressive.

I don't know. Duke could be thin or overloaded on the perimeter/wings heading into 2021.

Jordan Goldwire and Alex O'Connell will be seniors next year.

Joey Baker appears to be on a 4-year college track, so he will be in play as a wing.

I am assuming that Wendell Moore, Jr. will be a sophomore next year but hoping for a big year from him. He could be off to the NBA or could be a 3- or 4-year guy. It's tough to tell with him as he has obvious skills but a few critical limitations right now. If he figures out how to improve on a few things, like the handle and jumper, he could be very good.

Jeremy Roach and DJ Steward are both 5-star recruits and McDonald's All-Americans. I assume every one of those types of players has an eye on being a one-and-done even if the freshman season doesn't pan out that way. It is possible that Steward could go pro after his freshman season.

If Goldwire, AOC, Moore, and Steward all depart after next year, Duke could still have Joey Baker and is bringing in a wing in AJ Griffin as well as being all in on another wing/forward in Patrick Baldwin, Jr. PBJ is good friends with Christie and I could see Christie, Griffin, and Baldwin being a great combo on the floor together. I'm not sure Keels fits into that group unless he is fine being a guy that shares time with Christie or if Duke feels fine with Baldwin at the tallest guy on the court. My guess is that Christie and Baldwin commit this summer or early fall and Keels looks elsewhere. But who knows?

Jaks19
03-06-2020, 01:20 PM
Duke has done this before with overlaps with players that could play the same positions. RJ, Zion and Cam were all small forwards and each had different role and were all on the floor together. Keels at the 3 and Christie at the 2 would be very dynamic. I said it before... like having Jon and Gerald on the floor together

DavidBenAkiva
03-06-2020, 01:26 PM
Duke has done this before with overlaps with players that could play the same positions. RJ, Zion and Cam were all small forwards and each had different role and were all on the floor together. Keels at the 3 and Christie at the 2 would be very dynamic. I said it before... like having Jon and Gerald on the floor together

It's not that I don't think Keels and Christie could co-exist on the floor together. It's everyone else Duke is recruiting for the class. I don't see a scenario where Duke gets all 4 of Baldwin, Christie, Griffin (already committed), and Keels. Duke already has one stud wing committed in Griffin and appears to be in great shape with Baldwin and Christie. Unless Keels can or wants to play the point or Baldwin can or wants to be the big man on the floor, I don't see it happening.

Pghdukie
03-07-2020, 03:03 PM
Which recruiting prospects will be in attendance tonight ? And more importantly - who will make the trip across the court to sit with the Crazies!

DavidBenAkiva
03-07-2020, 05:31 PM
Which recruiting prospects will be in attendance tonight ? And more importantly - who will make the trip across the court to sit with the Crazies!

There will be 4 recruits at Cameron tonight, including 2020 commits Jaemyn Brakefield and Jeremy Roach. From the Class of 2021, Trevor Keels will be on an unofficial visit. From the Class of 2022, MJ Rice (6'5'" SF, top 25, from Durham Academy).

BD80
03-07-2020, 06:09 PM
There will be 4 recruits at Cameron tonight, including ... MJ Rice (6'5'" SF, top 25, from Durham Academy).

Wow, talk about an emotional roller coaster. My first thought was that, a major recruit with roots in the triangle, he could be the son of King Rice, starting PG for the heels in the late 80s and early 90s. Age is about right.

How could I root for King Rice's son?

Then I thought: stealing a legacy from ol' roy? How delicious. King was a darn good player and is a D1 coach - good bloodlines. Since King would be busy during the season, we'd get mom Summer in the stands - bonus.

Alas, all we'd get with MJ is a great kid with lots of bounce and skills who quickly rising up the charts - with a very unfortunate nickname.

Saratoga2
03-08-2020, 07:13 AM
There will be 4 recruits at Cameron tonight, including 2020 commits Jaemyn Brakefield and Jeremy Roach. From the Class of 2021, Trevor Keels will be on an unofficial visit. From the Class of 2022, MJ Rice (6'5'" SF, top 25, from Durham Academy).

Couldn't have been a better game for them to experience. The team played an outstanding game and the crowd was at its best. Had to make a favorable impression.

Bluedevil114
03-26-2020, 08:56 AM
Alan Griffin transferring from Illinois. It has been reported that Duke has reached out to Griffin. It would be nice to have AJ and Alan playing together in 2021.

superdave
03-27-2020, 08:29 AM
Alan Griffin transferring from Illinois. It has been reported that Duke has reached out to Griffin. It would be nice to have AJ and Alan playing together in 2021.

Any new news on Alan Griffin? I have not seen anything since the initial Duke consideration from a few days ago.