Coach K and company set to visit Kenny Boynton Jr.

The Duke Men’s Basketball staff will be more than just a little busy this week.  On the first day that they can be back out on the road, which is tomorrow evening, Coach K and company will have an in home with Kenny Boynton Jr. and his family.

Boynton is one of the nations top guards, arguably the best in the class of 2009.  Duke has been recruiting him consistently for a long time.  He reminds most Blue Devil faithful of Jason Williams.  Williams won a national title, was named national POY which led to him being a lottery pick in the NBA draft.  Like Boynton, Williams was a offensive scoring machine that could play both guard spots, but he settled in on the point at Duke where he learned the trade from Coach K.

Long the buzz of various basketball crazy Duke message boards, Boynton is a prospect that fans dearly want to see rock Cameron.  There is a heated battle for his services and he’s maintained all along that he would take his five official visits. 

Florida has really turned it up for Boynton, attempting to make a move while Krzyzewski was coaching Team USA to the Gold Medal.  Boyntons friend, Eloy Vargas is already a Gator and he is of course from the sunshine state like his friend.

If Boynton were to choose Duke he would remain in the constant media spotlight of a team which has every game televised and one which is in the basketball fanatical ACC.  He could very well be the focus of any school he chooses in a list that includes USC, Memphis, Georgia Tech and Texas along with Duke and Florida.

Florida will come in the night after the Duke staff, but you can bet that there will be a lot to think about in the Boynton household.  While UF has a wonderful basketball program, they sometimes play second fiddle to Gator Football.   Still, the local allure might be as attractive as the national spotlight and playing for a living legend in Coach K.

In the end, the decision should come down to where can he better prepare for his goal of the NBA and which school will continue to support him once he is in the league.  College will be nothing more than a temporary stop for the talented Boynton but his choice will go a long ways in defining him as a future player.

Make no mistake that the Blue Devils covet and care about young Boynton.  They want him to be a part of what looks to be a very talented team.  Duke will always compete for national prominence, but the addition of Boynton would be another step towards a national championship.

The staff has layed it on the line and Blue Devil fans have followed his every AAU move.  Now all they can hope for is that Boynton sees the golden opportunity available for him in Durham.

Blue Devil Nation Premium has covered Kenny Boynton from the very start and you can follow the process even closer by becoming a member.  You can subscribe here.  We will be moving to our new home very soon!

Athletic prospect, Dontae Aycock looking to trim his list

If you go to Central Florida and mention the name Dontae Aycock, you’ll be hard pressed to find anyone who hasn’t heard of him.  Aycock plays for quarterback Chamberlain H.S. in Tampa, Florida and is often reffered to as a human highlight reel. He is rated the 65th best athlete in the class of 2009 by ESPN and projects by most scouts as a running back at the college level.

“Georgia Tech is the only team that’s recruiting me to play quarterback in that they run the option and that’s what I run in high school,” said Aycock during last evenings interview with BDN.  Aycock recently visited the Georgia Tech campus and was rumored by some to be a heavy lean towards the Jackets.  “I like the visit a lot, but as far as almost committing, I never said that.”

According to a recent article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Tech Coach Paul Johnson had little contact with Aycock of late and they are rumored to have their eyes on another prospect.  Another recent AJC article feels that Duke and Tech are running even for the talented young mans services.

Aycock was first offered by Kansas, but 22 schools have now offered.  Among those are Duke, Rutgers, UCF, Illinois, West Virginia, North Carolina, Louisville and the aforementioned Georgia Tech.  Aycock said that Georgia Tech, West Virginia, Louisville and Duke were the most active schools regarding his services.

He then mentioned that Coach Johnson of West Virginia was the lead recruiter for the Mountaineers and different coaches from Tech and Louisville had called. 

When asked of Duke, Aycock replied, “I know they’re a great academic school and they’re a team coming up.”  He continued, “I actually just heard from Duke.  It was the first day they (teams) could call and I just got off the phone with them,” said Aycock. 

Aycock seemingly had high regard for the Blue Devils saying, “I’ve talked to all their coaching staff and I think all the coaches are nice … I like them.”  He also mentioned that Coach Jim Collins was the lead recruiter for Duke.

BDN asked one of our staple question in that we asked Aycock to describe himself in three words as a person.  “Fun, outgoing and determined,” he answered, while never hesitating.  When asked to describe his game in one word for those who haven’t seen him play, he said, “I would say exciting.”

His Chamberlain HS team won their recent Jamboree (exhibition) game and will kickoff the season this week.  He gained 1155 yards on 155 carries.  He passed for 941 yards last season connecting on 65 of 162 passes.

Aycock looks to narrow his long list to five schools he’d like to visit by the midway point of his high school season.  When asked of the most important factors that would go into his upcoming collegiate decision, Aycock replied, “The school environment, the academics and the coaching staff.”

Scouting Report – Aycock is a very shifty runner capable of breaking one any time he touches the ball.  Aycock will likely be a running back in college but has the tools to be a top notch safety as well.  Has the frame to carry about 210 pounds at the college level.  Has been clocked last season at 4.5.  His height will likely keep him from playing quarterback at the college level.  He was not very consistent with his passing last season and needs work on his mechanics.  Aycock is a solid student.    In short, he is an athlete who will make his way onto the field with his talent. 

If he ultimately chooses Duke – Should Dontae choose the Blue Devils, he will be attending one of the best academic institutions in America.  Aycock would be in a position to compete for immediate playing time on team that is clearly an up and coming program under first year Coach David Cutcliffe. 

Visits scheduled – None at this time.  He is expected to narrow his final list of schools in October.

Notes – His brother is is NFL veteran Dwight Smith, who is currently playing safety for the Detroit Lions.  Smith was the MVP in Super Bowl XXXVII.  His family was originally from Illinois before moving to Florida.  Aycock was also born in Atlanta where his Dad still resides, but moved to Detroit at a very early age.

Currently on Blue Devil Nation Premium

We’ve just put up the latest on commitment Andre Dawkins of Atlantic Shores who talked about Coach K and the Olympics and the desire to play with prospects Josh Hairston and Tyler Thornton.  Speaking of Josh Hairston a player Duke covets, we have an in depth interview with the prep star where he discusses his upcoming visit to …  You’ll get that and much more as a member where BDNP brings you the latest skinny.  Also up is and extremely in depth interview with another prep sensation Harrison Barnes.  We are in the process of moving the site, but if you want to join BDN Premium and read the lates offerings simply e-mail me at watzonebdp@gmail.com.

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Boynton, Knight lead Team Breakdown to Reebok Title

Kenny Boynton Jr. (2009) scored 26 points leading his team to a win in the open division championship game of the Reebok Summer Championships just outside of Las Vegas.  Breakdown lost the second game of the tournament to D-One Sports, but this game was never in doubt as indicated by the 81-64 score.

Brandon Knight (2010) chipped in 24 points.  Team Breakdown (Florida) avenged an earlier loss to D-One Sports which features John Wall who averaged 23.6 for the tournament and Ryan Kelly (16.6).

It was Knight that helped his team in the two prior games where he scored 25 and 22 which was a key to advancing.  Team Breakdown finished the event 8-1.  Boynton and Knight told the Blue Devil Nation at an earlier event that their goal was to win the title and both mentioned coming close wasn’t the way they wanted to close out the summer.  Their team lost in the final to Belmont Shores last year.  Kenny Boynton, of course is being heavily recruited by the Blue Devils and has long been their top target in the class of 2009.

Weekend scoring totals –

Kenny Boynton – 33, 21, 26, 26, 25, 17, 12, 14, 26 – 22.2

Brandon Knight – 26, 24, 2, 19, 22, 20, 25, 22, 24 – 20.4

Friday Morning Links

Starting off with AAU Basketball and Las Vegas, Kenny Boynton and Brandon Knight have scored 33/26, 21/24, and 26/19, respectively over the past three days.  The two have combined to make 17 three point shots.  Jody Demling has an extensive update from Las Vegas posted on his blog at the Louisville Courier-Journal.

The Las Vegas Review Journal has written a positive article on the ability of lesser known athletes to achieve exposure via the AAU circuit.  Adam Zagoria and Dick Weiss also have updates on their blogs.

Turning to Duke football and Desmond Scott on his decision to play for Duke University: “I wanted to play in my backyard.”  WRAL.com has more here.

Finally, here is Coach K with more thoughts on USA Basketball.

Vegas links buffet – Boynton wows many!

Here is your daily platter of links from Las Vegas where the nation’s top basketball prospects are gathered.   Let’s start with the local paper the Las Vegas Journal Live.  Then there is this link at NBADraft.net followed by one of the better blogs around in Zags Blog.       

Let’s not forget Jeff Goodman of Fox and then there is the LATimes-Thompson says tournaments not so good  for prospect’s inflated egos.   Lastly, Jody Demling of the Louisville Courier has as a good report up.

Peach Jam Update, Xavier Henry and John Wall impress

Top Scorers – Xavier Henry 24.8, D. Richardson 22.0, Gary Franklin 21.8, Tommy Mason-Griffin 20.8, Terrence Boyd, 18.5, Carl Tankson 18.3, John Wall 18.3, Andrie Coleman 18.3

Top’s in rebounds – Keith Gallon 44, Alex Oriakhi 42, Colley 36, Wall 32, Hamilton 31, Noack 31, Stinson 30

Top’s in assists – John Wall 25, Phil Pressey 24, C. Payne 22, Marshall 20, Mason-Griffin 18, Selby 14

Blocked Shots – Oriakhi 10, Spencer 8, Riley 8, Noack 7, Ratliffe 7, Wilson 7, Johnson 6

There are no stats on the 16-U teams, but some of the best ball of the tournament is going on in this bracket.  Albany City Rocks went to 4-0 defeating Boo Williams, in a game with two loaded teams.  BDNP will have interviews with three of the players from these teams in the coming days.

Some of the U-16’s who’ve played well as I watched are, Travis McKie, James McAdoo, a 2012 kid named Justin Anderson, all from Boo Williams.  Jason Morris who pulled double duty for the New York Gauchos and Team Playaz played well.  Morris took a nasty fall after a dunk and fractured both cheekbones and got six stitches.  He then played in the next game.  More details on BDN Premium.    Then there was Michael Gilchrist of Team Final, Taurin Buie, Will Regan and Tibias Harris of Albany City Rocks.

The top players I viewed in in the 17-U division were Xavier Henry (pictured), a physical speciman who never quits.  We will have a brief talk with this national prospect this week along with his teammate Daniel Orton who is close to a decision.  Henry will take four official visits to Kansas, Memphis, UCLA and Texas before deciding.

John Wall really revved it up in his last two games, but his team was eliminated going 2-3.  He is a serious talent worth the hype.  Keith Gallon of Houston Hoops is an absolute load and plays hard on the blocks.  Alex Oriachi looked very good down low as well.  Gary Franklin continued his torrid play, where he pretty much does it all.  And there were several Boo Williams and other kids which impressed as well.  Recardo Ratliffe and Steven Pledger rose to the top for Boo in their win today.  Pledger, who is not listed in the top 100 in Prep Stars has been consistent all summer.  He is, IMO, top 75 for sure.  Kammeon Holsey, who committed to Georgia Tech played two really solid games, scoring in the high 20’s to lead his team the Georgia Stars to a 4-0 record.

The play offs begin today and the finals are tomorrow.  Complete coverage of the Duke prospects is available on Blue Devil Nation Premium.

Nike Peach Jam Day One (afternoon)

The Nike Peach Jam kicked off this morning with several of the nations top prospects trying to impress college coaches.  Daniel Orton and Xavier Henry led their team to a win over California Supreme, who was without star center Jeremy Tyler, a no show.

UNC prospect Leslie McDonald was also missing with his duties with the national U-18 team.  Still, there are many stars from John Wall to Josh Selby and more.  The majority of the prospects are unsigned and some have even opened their recruitment back up after committing.  One of those players is Marshawn Powell who had originally said Arkansas was his choice.

Powell plays for AAU power Boo Williams, but even with the help of eight Division I futures, the tournament favorite went down to defeat in their first game.  In fact, it took a three point shot at the buzzer to knock them out 67-64 after blowing a sizable lead. 

The winner, Team Texas was led by Gary Franklin.  Of course, Boo Williams features Duke’s first 2010 commitment Andre Dawkins.  Dawkins didn’t disappoint.  He came into the game with 8:33 left in the second half and immediately drained two jumpers.  He has 12 of his 14 points in the first half in the aforementioned allotted time.  He was 5 of 9 from the field and 4 of 8 from the three point stripe.

Duke Assistant Steve Wojciechowski watched from the sidelines.  Also watching the game were Roy Williams, Billy Donovan, Seth Greenberg and a multitude of assistant coaches.  All watched as a cast of Tristan Spurlock, Steven Pledger, Kendall Marshall, Deshawn Painter and the aforementioned Powell and Dawkins couldn’t will their team to victory.  An aside, Marshall and Dawkins are the only 2010 players on this veteran team.

Peach Jam Alum include – Amare Stoudamire, Carmelo Anthony, Shelden Williams, Kevin Durant, Brendan Wright, JJ Redick, Dwayne Wade, Greg Oden, Baron Davis, Elton Brand and Dirk Nowitkzi.

Blue Devil Nation Premium will take in Jamil Wilson’s 6:00 game and and Boo Williams following that.  John Wall and others are on tomorrow’s schedule and we’ll try to make a later afternoon game where Nate Lubick and Jason Morris are in action in Aiken, S.C.

Blue Devil Nation Premium members will continue to receive updates as the weekend goes on.  Members will also get to hear interviews with the prospects and in depth scouting reports.  You can subscribe by going to the paypal links in the left menu in this link.

Hear Boynton and Knight for yourself

If you would like to hear a dual interview with Kenny Boynton and Brandon Knight, then go HERE.  Maggard hits the AAU circuit hard and has a cool pod show going on.  Tell him BDN sent you!