Originally Posted by
mike88
On a Saturday morning in May 2002, I headed over to Cameron with my then not-quite-1-year-old son to watch the Bob Gibbons tournament. The stands were mostly empty, and we sat down to watch a team from Southern California play a Michigan team that was loaded with Div I prospects. The California team won that day, in large part because of the play of a strong wing player from Sacramento who seemingly could not miss. I happened to be sitting next to his father who remarked "You may be seeing alot more of my son in the future." I believe it was a few days later that DeMarcus Nelson committed to Duke.
We have been so fortunate to have Markie here for the past 4 years. He has always played hard, even when fighting off injuries, and has grown into a great leader his senior year. It is always a little bittersweet when our players have their last game in Cameron, but I hope we can send #21 off with a victory tonight.
Thanks for coming to Duke, Markie, and good luck vs UNC!
When I really think about it, Nelson's career arc (except for the injuries) has been so much like the last #21 to play at Duke. A highly rated recruit who struggled a little bit early (particularly with his outside shot), only to develop into the most valuable player and lone senior leader on a young and very talented team. Nelson, in my opinion, holds a place right next to Chris Duhon in the annals of Duke basketball. Duhon had the signature moment of his senior season come against UNC (the coast-to-coast game-winning layup in OT in the Dean Dome), and I can only hope DeMarcus gets to pull off some similar heroics tonight. Regardless, I know I'll have just a wee bit of a lump in my throat watching Nelson take the Cameron court for the last time (what can I say - I'm a softie).
Just be you. You is enough. - K, 4/5/10, 0:13.8 to play, 60-59 Duke.
You're all jealous hypocrites. - Titus on Laettner
You see those guys? Animals. They're animals. - SIU Coach Chris Lowery, on Duke