2014 Basketball Recruiting thread

[jnastasi]

I know it's very early to be talking about this but the top freshman in the nation will be visiting Duke today...Theo Pinson...

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-bask...ing/onthetrail

Ok, here is the table for the 2014 recruits. Info is for various Duke sources on Twitter, along with Rivals and ESPN. The current rankings shown are from Rivals. (I will change that to RSCI once available in June of 2013)

Position        Name             Measurements        Stars   "Overall Rank (247Sports.com)"     Offer?           Comments
PG               Tyus Jones        6'1, 171lbs             5                        5                               Signed        Excellent passer. Makes others better. Unique player
PF/C            Jahlil Okafor      6'10, 280lbs           5                        1                                Signed       Great around the rim, great hands and footwork
G                Grayson Allen    6'4, 189                 5                       31                               Signed       Very Athletic/Lengthy kid with good jumper, and good handle
SF              Justise Winslow  6'6, 210lbs             5                       13                               Signed       Super athletic lefty small forward, highly skilled, good defender
C                Myles Turner      6'10, 223 5            5                        4                                Yes           Lengthy, Athletic, good shooter

[Krzyzewskiville]

Starting early, can't hurt.

[DevilWearsPrada]

I know it's very early to be talking about this but the top freshman in the nation will be visiting Duke today...Theo Pinson...

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-bask...ing/onthetrail

WOW! Seeing 2014, and thinking that is along ways off. It is not! Recruitment starts so much earlier now, than a few years ago. AAU teams and social media (FB, Twitter) really push the recruitment process up. Have to reach out to these kids earlier!

Never to early to recruit! Thanks for the updates and DBR keeps us in the loop of all things, DUKE!!

[PADukeMom]

Are we talking freshmen in high school???

[BD80]

Are we talking freshmen in high school???

In a few days they'll be rising sophmores ...

[Indoor66]

Are we talking freshmen in high school???

Yeah, doesn't it make you feel a little dirty?

[JasonEvans]

Wasn't this around the time that Demarcus Nelson committed to Duke? Right between his freshman and soph seasons of high school. That one worked out ok, and Markie wasn't nearly the prospect that Pinson is.

-Jason "my bet is that this is a long-term process for Pinson" Evans

[airowe]

Just an FYI, Theo is a lifelong Duke fan. And just so happens to be a very good basketball player...

[Turtleboy]

Just an FYI, Theo is a lifelong Duke fan. And just so happens to be a very good basketball player...

Am I missing some irony here? Wouldn't being a good player go hand in hand with being rated number 1?

[PADukeMom]

Yeah, doesn't it make you feel a little dirty?

Nah...it just makes me feel old...very old. Geeze Louise...I just did the math. If this kid stays 4 years I would be able to use AARP & not feel guilty.

[Bob Green]

Wasn't this around the time that Demarcus Nelson committed to Duke?

Nope, you are off by 12 months. DeMarcus Nelson committed to Duke in May 2002 toward the end of his sophomore year of high school.

[uh_no]

DBR Summertime!

Making me think so far into the future that my head hurts...lemme get past breakfast tomorrow first :P

[BD80]

So we have high interest from:

2012 #1 Andre Drummond

2013 #1 Julius Randle

2014 #1 Theo Pindle

after having enrolled:

2011 #1 Austin Rivers

2010 #1 Kyrie Irving (yes, in retrospect, but clear cut).

If he can keep this up, I think Coach K could turn out to be a pretty good coach!

[superdave]

What does one talk to a rising sophmore about?

Hey, buddy you're going to hit puberty soon. You'll notice some changes in your voice and your apetite will double. Hang in there!

Or maybe you talk about how cool it is when you get your license in a year!

I just hope this kid does not get burnt out from too much too young.

[airowe]

So we have high interest from:

2013 #1 Jabari Parker and #2 Julius Randle

2014 #1 Theo Pinson

after having enrolled:

2011 #1 Austin Rivers

2010 #1 Kyrie Irving (yes, in retrospect, but clear cut).

If he can keep this up, I think Coach K could turn out to be a pretty good coach!

Made a few changes, but you've basically got it. Duke is recruiting at a very high level right now...

[PADukeMom]

Made a few changes, but you've basically got it. Duke is recruiting at a very high level right now...

I thought Duke always recruited at the higest level or am I missing something???

[Huh?]

I've been waiting on this thread...

[roywhite]

I thought Duke always recruited at the higest level or am I missing something???

Not really; just even better
A+ vs A

[DukeGirl4ever]

What does one talk to a rising sophmore about?

Hey, buddy you're going to hit puberty soon. You'll notice some changes in your voice and your apetite will double. Hang in there!

Or maybe you talk about how cool it is when you get your license in a year!

I just hope this kid does not get burnt out from too much too young.

The sad part is (although I don't really think it is sad), this is the reality, and it was the reality 15 years ago when I was being recruited in high school to play women's ball in college. I started receiving letters during freshman year and the recruiting process gets pretty hot and heavy during the sophomore year.

Honestly, though, the recruiting process is lengthy, and some kids need that time to figure out what they are truly looking for in a school/program and to weigh their options. Others get tired of the process and commit early to be done with the constant phone calls. I do like the restrictions for the contact period so it's not as draining on the kids (although I must admit, I'm out of the recruiting process loop after graduating in '01).

Seeing a "2014 recruiting thread" doesn't bother me - it's part of the process, but I'm not going to get all pumped up about a possible recruit that's a freshman in high school - a LOT changes in 3-4 years.

[Krzyzewskiville]

Jay Williams has good things to say about Theo Pinson on his twitter