Kyle and Nolan to Train With US Team

Seniors Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith were selected as two of the ten USA Select Team members to train against the USA Men's National Team in New York City for the World Basketball Festival.

See the rest of the list here.

This is quite an honor and should cap off an extremely busy Summer for both team captains. Kyle has attended the Chris Paul Guard Skills Camp, the Amare Stoudemire Skills Camp, the USA Training Camp, played a few games in the NC Pro-Am, and now will travel to New York to help send the USA Team off with a bang. Nolan participated in all of the above as well as the Deron Williams Camp.

Congratulations to both of our Senior Leaders!

The Festival concludes Sunday, Aug. 15, when the USA squad takes on France at Madison Square Garden, 1 p.m. (EDT), in the first game of an exhibition doubleheader. China will meet Puerto Rico at 3:30 p.m. (EDT) in the second contest. Tickets for the exhibition doubleheader, which start at $15, are available on the Web via www.Ticketmaster.com and www.thegarden.com, by phone at 1-800-4-NBA-TIX, and at the box office at Madison Square Garden.

Duke Coaching Staff Heading to Vegas

Photo credit about.com

Fresh off winning his fourth National Championship, Duke Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski heads off to begin the defense of his other recent title, the Olympic Gold he won in Beijing in 2008.

Starting July 19th, Coach K, Coach Chris Collins, and Coach Steve Wojciechowski (Nate James will stay behind in Durham) will all head off to begin their second jobs, as coaches of the USA Olympic team. The following players are confirmed to be on the court from the 19th to the 24th:

Confirmed to be on the court in Las Vegas are Chauncey Billups (Denver Nuggets); Chandler; Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors); Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder); Tyreke Evans (Sacramento Kings); Rudy Gay (Memphis Grizzlies); Eric Gordon (Los Angeles Clippers); Danny Granger (Indiana Pacers); Jeff Green (Oklahoma City Thunder); Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia 76ers); David Lee (Golden State Warriors); Brook Lopez (New Jersey Nets); Robin Lopez; Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves); O.J. Mayo (Memphis Grizzlies); Lamar Odom (Los Angeles Lakers); Rondo; Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls); Amar’e Stoudemire (New York Knicks); Gerald Wallace (Charlotte Bobcats); and Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder).

During the USA Training Camp, there will be daily practice sessions from noon to 3 PM (PDT) at UNLV's Cox Pavilion. The five-day event will end with a "Blue-White" Intrasquad Scrimmage at 7 PM (PDT) on July 24th at the Thomas and Mack Center, also on the UNLV campus. If you're in the area, you can get tickets either by calling 866-388-FANS or visiting www.UNLVtickets.com.

August 12th, selected members of the USA Team reconvene in New York City for the very exciting World Basketball Festival. If you're in New York, you absolutely have to check this out: http://www.slamonline.com/online/news-rumors/other-news/2010/06/nike-usa-basketball-debut-world-basketball-festival/

WBF tips off with a showcase featuring members of the 2010 USA Basketball National Team on an open-air court in Times Square (Broadway between 47th & 48th), along with an unprecedented performance by a surprise musical act. (Yes, they’re laying down the hardwood in the center of Times Square.) From there, the next two days will feature games at the legendary Rucker Park in Harlem, where open-air practices and scrimmages by the National Teams from Brazil and Puerto Rico, and training by France, will be mixed with a grassroots youth tournament serving as the championships for some of New York’s top summer basketball leagues.

The Festival will conclude with an exciting exhibition double-header featuring the United States taking on France (1 p.m.) and China meeting Puerto Rico (3:30 p.m.) at famed Madison Square Garden. The exhibition games are being utilized as part of the teams’ preparation for the 2010 FIBA World Basketball Championship in Turkey, which runs August 28 to September 12.

WOW! Can Coach K defend the Olympic Gold while defending the 2010 National Championship? If there's a coach out there that can, it's him...

FIBA Men's U-18 - USA vs. Mexico

U.S. vs. Mexico
San Antonio, Texas – 7:41 pm CST:

Mexico was overmatched and undersized the entire game, but after getting the jitters out in the first quarter (only scoring 6 points), they ended with a respectable 32 points in the last three quarters. It looked like Team USA had gotten used to the smaller FIBA ball (only 29” in circumference) after their shooting performance. Coach Capel was also able to spread out the minutes with a comfortable lead the whole game, only one Team USA player (Amir Williams) played under 10 minutes. Amir looked a step slow tonight with a large wrap around his knee, no word on an injury though. After allowing USVI to score 63 points, Coach Capel’s bunch locked down their defense, only allowing 38 points and holding Mexico’s leading scorer (Pereda Quintero) to only 7 points.

The United States sends starters of 5-Kyrie Irving (Duke commit), 6-Vander Blue (Marquette commit), 11-Austin Rivers (Duke, Florida, and UNC recruit), 12-Josh Hairston (Duke commit), and 15-Pat Young (Florida commit) to meet Mexico. Young gets the tip back to Kyrie who gives it off to Austin, then runs around a screen to the corner and knocks down a 3. Kyrie looks much more comfortable shooting the ball tonight as he steps into the shot, in rhythm, and knocks it down. After a 24 second violation (FIBA rules have a shot-clock of only 24 seconds unlike the NCAA whose is 35) by Mexico, Josh Hairston hits a fade-away jumper after a nice post move, 5-0 USA. Mexico commits 24 second violations on three straight possessions and a after a steal and dunk, followed by an and-one dunk from Josh, Team USA’s lead is 16-0. More of the same, as the Mexico team looks nervous in the opening minutes of the game, committing careless fouls and rarely even getting a shot off on the offensive end. The first quarter closes with back to back 3-pointers from Syracuse commit Trevor Cooney, Team USA leads 36-6.

Amir Williams starts the second quarter for Young, but is quickly replaced by Young who joins Kyrie, Austin, Quincy Miller, and LeBryan Nash on the floor. Two layups on straight possessions for Quincy after air balls, on fall away 3-point attempts, by Mexico; Team USA leads 44-8. Great chemistry between Kyrie and Austin as Kyrie finds Austin in opposite corners for two open threes. A third three in under 1:30 for Austin followed by a post-move and layup from Josh and the USA lead is now 59-13. At half, Team USA leads Mexico 61-13 with Duke commits and recruits represented very well. Kyrie, Austin, and Josh are each 4/5 from the field for a total of 30 points; Kyrie also with 3 assists and 3 rebounds.

The third quarter begins with a quick drive and layup by Kyrie. The Mexican team is overmatched in every aspect of the game: size, strength, speed, and ability. Austin takes the ball to the rack on two straight possessions, one for an easy layup and he draws a foul on the other. Austin has absolutely no wasted movement in his smooth game. He plays the game effortlessly, much like his NBA idol Dwyane Wade. Kyrie stretches Team USA’s lead to 72-17 after a pull-up three from the top of the key. Great effort by Duke commits Kyrie and Josh as they continue to dive for loose balls even though Team USA is up 55 points. Mexico sends a rotation to the floor that includes three players under 6’ tall, with one guarding 6’7” Lebryan Nash. Nash quickly thanks them with a turn-around dunk and smile toward Coach Santos. The lead is 61 at the end of the third: Team USA 84, Mexico 23.

No starters play for Team USA in the fourth quarter, but Quincy Miller, Cooney, and Nash are still dominant. After a flurry of deep threes from Mexico cuts the lead to 58, Quincy answers with two flushes off misses by Cooney and Jereme Richmond. A Quincy Miller 3 from the corner puts USA up 99-38 and Richmond follows on the next possession with a layup. The final is Team USA 114, Mexico 38. Team USA finishes with 7 players (Irving, Cooney, Miller, Richmond, Nash, Rivers, and Hairston) in double-figures led by Rivers and Cooney with 16 a piece. Team USA shoots a staggering 62% from the field and holds Mexico to 21%. Duke commits play very well with Kyrie Irving finishes with 14 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists, while Hairston finishes with 11 points and 4 rebounds. Between them the missed a total of 3 shots and neither played in the fourth quarter.

Interviews with Coach Jeff Capel, Coach Paul Hewitt, and Kyrie Irving coming soon.

Written By: Big Pappa

USA vs. US Virgin Islands - Post Game Interviews

POST GAME INTERVIEWS

Duke Commit Josh Hairston:



You've said many times in past interviews that Coach K wanted you to work on your perimeter and ball-handling skills during your Senior Year so you will be able to play multiple positions when you get to Duke. With the return of Kyle Singler, do you anticipate playing more of a Small Forward role or more in the paint next year?

"I see myself playing the role Kyle plays now. One thing Coach [Krzyzewski] has told me is that I'm going to be one of those guys who backs Kyle up, so when I get down there I want to get to know him, get to know the game with him, because Kyle is a contender for National Player of the Year next year and I just want to be able to do everything Kyle can do. He is a guy who can post guys up or take guys out on the perimeter and I want to be able to do the same thing."

He's obviously a great leader, but those around him know that Coach K has a great sense of humor. Was it easy to relate to him during the recruitment process because of this?

"Oh yeah, whenever I go down there or talk to him on the phone, he's a completely different guy than what people see on TV. People see him and they think he's mean because he's got this look on his face, but he just wants the best for his players. When I'm around him off the court he's a normal guy, he's funny, he jokes around with us and he's a great guy to be around."

What former Duke player do you think your game resembles the most?

"I've heard a lot of comparisons to Shane Battier and I can see that a lot, but there are so many great Duke players from the past and for me to even put my name up there with them is crazy for me to even think about. So I'm just trying to make a name for myself and play the best Josh Hairston can play."

The Cameron Crazies are notorious for coming up with nicknames for Duke players. Do you have a nickname now or is there something you want to be known as?

"I just got one from Kyrie [Irving]. He calls me 'Jiggy' when we are on the floor. If you pay attention tomorrow you will hear him call me 'Jiggy'. I think that may be the name, but as of right now that is the only one I have."

Playing with guys like Kyrie and Austin, are you excited about the chemistry and the possibility of playing with them at the next level?

"This is actually the most time I've spent with Kyrie and we have become like brothers. We talk all the time and we're always with each other and I can see the chemistry there. Even though he hasn't committed I'm still with Austin all day and I think Austin knows what's best for him. We would definitely love to have him at Duke"

The million dollar question for all the undergrad coeds at Duke, do you have a girlfriend?

Laughing - "No I do not"

How was the feel of tonights game? It looked like the refs were calling the game pretty tight, but what did you think?

"One thing playing with teams like the U.S., you have to be able to go outside yourself and not have to play the position you normally play. All of us on our high school teams were big time scorers, and that is one thing I kind of had to adjust to. I’m used to coming down the floor and touching the ball at least every play, but I don’t have to do that here. I’m just expected to play defense, rebound, you touch the ball score it. There are times when the game can get a little hectic and you can get down on yourself, and one thing you need to do is keep your head up with a team like this. You’re playing with a USA jersey on. That’s big time! I was sitting on the bench and thinking about it, and I looked down and saw everybody, and thought this is a big time thing. And looking at the score board, we just beat a team by 68 points…we are pretty good. You just gotta go outside yourself and know it’s bigger than the last name on the back of the jersey. It’s for all the people and this great country; that’s what we are out there playing for."

Duke Recruit Quincy Miller:



"Hola senor, chicas and chicos. I'm Quincy Miller."

How did you manage to pull down so many rebounds while you were playing on the perimeter tonight?

"I just went in harder than everyone else and made plays."

You grew so fast after your Freshman year, and have the height to play PF but the skills to play shooting guard, what position do you see yourself playing in college and the pros?

"I just play mis-matches, like if I got somebody small on me I'm gonna go to the post and if I got someone big on me I'm gonna go outside."

What kind of system do you see yourself playing in - a more uptempo style or a more halfcourt setting?

"Uptempo, but I play a little halfcourt too."

After being around guys like Kyrie, Josh, and Austin, have you been able to develop chemistry with them?

"Oh yeah, those three guys are some of the greatest guys I've ever been around. Off the court and on the court."

Is Kyrie good at getting you the ball in the right spots on the floor?

"Kyrie is definitely one of the best point guards I've ever played with. He and John Wall are the two best I've ever played with."

Could you see yourself playing with them in the future?

"Most definitely"

Duke Recruit Austin Rivers:



What are some things that have made Duke one of your top choices?

"Their success in winning and getting their players to the league and of course the coach, Coach K. I think it's only right to look at a school like that."

Who is the most influential person in your life regarding your decision of where to play college basketball?

"My older brother. I see him going through a tough college experience after picking the wrong school in Georgetown, nothing on Georgetown, it just wasn't the right fit for him. Now, he is having a tough time Indiana, so he has had a really tough time in college so I listen to him the most, because you only really get one chance to do it right."

Does your dad's decision to coach the Celtics next year play a role in your college decision?

"No, he has his own career so I let him do whatever he needs to do. Whatever he does has more to do with my little brother than me, because I'm almost out of high school anyway."

What are you looking for in a school?

"A school that plays fast-paced and a place that will let me flow a little bit; where I can get a rebound and push or catch it on the wing and drive. A school that gets up and down a lot and likes to shoot. I also really like guarding man to man press defense and playing defense full court."

What position do you see yourself playing in college?

"I see myself playing the 1 or 2. I've been playing mostly point in high school and tonight I played mostly 2, but I think I will get more time at the point tomorrow and the next few days. I want to be a combo guard, but I'm always a scorer."

Do you see yourself staying in college more than one year?

"No, that's not a goal of mine, but it's whatever is best for me. I'm not a guy that says 'I'll only be there a year' I could be there three if that's what's best. My goal is one and done and I think I can do that with my work ethic."

Do you have a leader right now?

"Not really, if I had to pick Duke would be the leader right now, there is nothing wrong with that school. Carolina is coming up and I just started getting a relationship with Coach Roy Williams, but it's kinda tough because whatever school I pick the other one is going to hate me."

Growing up around the NBA, who do you pattern your game after?

"I try to pattern my game after a little of Deron [Williams] and Dwyane [Wade]. Those are my two favorite players and I record all their games. I go on youtube all the time and watch D-Wade and try to copy him. I really like the way Deron is so smooth, so I try to be a combination of the two."

Interviews Conducted and Written Up By: Big Pappa

FIBA USA U-18 Basketall - USA vs. U.S. Virgin Islands

Pre-game:

I was able to catch Doc Rivers in the stands for a quick pre-game interview. I didn't want to bother him with the same old, "Will you be coaching the Celtics next year?" questions, so I decided to inquire about Duke alum Shelden Williams:

How is coaching and being around Shelden Williams, on and off the court?

"He's terrific, he was great for us. Big Baby [Glen Davis] gets hurt early and he steps in for us. Then, Glen came back and he lost his minutes, but he kept doing his job everyday. He showed up, there were games where we put him in, but he always stayed ready and that's all you can hope for. I know he would have rather played more, but as far as being a professional, he's as good as I've had."



After a handshake and a short chat with his wife (Kristen), I went back to my seat on press row to begin watching the opening ceremonies. Each team was paraded out onto the floor led by their countries flag. The amusing part was that immediately after the ceremony ended, every team that wasn't playing (all except the USA and USVI) went to the stands to take pictures with Doc.

Game:

The starters take the floor for both teams with Duke well represented. Team USA starters were 5-Kyrie Irving (Duke), 6-Vander Blue (Marquette), 11-Austin Rivers (Duke, Florida, and UNC), 12-Josh Hairston (Duke), 15-Pat Young (Florida). The story of the first quarter is defense. USVI looks very nervous and it is easy to see that they haven't encountered a man to man press defense like Team USA plays. Great team defense from the USA - switches, helps, and backside blocks. USVI is undersized inside and is attempting to make up for it with quickness, but obviously didn’t count on the quicks of Kyrie, Austin, Washington's Gaddy, Blue, and others. Coach Capel is not content to sit back and watch his guys play though, as he is constantly out on the floor directing and instructing.

Big Pat Young is too much to handle inside for the USVI team, but after 4 quick points off two dunks, he has to sit with two fouls. Quincy Miller comes off the bench and plays very well, notching 7 points and 5 rebounds in the first quarter alone. After a deep 3 from Austin in the corner, Kyrie rips the USVI PG and sends a long pass to Mizzou commit Tony Mitchell who lobs up an alley-oop for LeBryan Nash. The USA lead now stretched to 24-6 with 2:25 remaining in the 1st. More of the same as the USA goes on another quick run to close the 1st quarter up 35-8.

The 2nd quarter begins with a flurry of threes from the USVI team and Coach Capel calls a quick timeout. Out of the TO, Capel sends the starters back. Austin answers the call with a 3 from the wing and the next possesion Pat Young overpowers his defender for an easy dunk. After going 0-4 from deep in the first quarter the USVI team shoots 4-6 in the 2nd. Team USA still with a big lead as the half closes 62-28. Quincy and Austin lead Team USA in the first half with 11 points each, while Quincy also pulled down 8 boards. Leading the USVI is Merwin Potter Jr. with 11 points.

After ending the first half with a strong drive and two free throws, Kyrie picks up right where he left off with a quick move by his defender and an uncontested layup, and follows it up with a jumper from the corner on the next possession. Pat Young is again relegated to the bench following his 4th foul, Capel doesn't look worried as he glances at the scoreboard to see his team up almost 40 points halfway through the 3rd quarter. After two more free throws from Kyrie, Quincy enters the game and immediately makes his presence felt with a bucket and a foul. A few minutes later, following two made free throws from Austin, Kyrie swats USVI's Jones' layup attempt and takes it coast to coast for a beautiful reverse layup. The 3rd quarter ends with Team USA up 95-48.

Pat Young back in the game to start the 4th quarter and delivers a no-look pass to
Richmond for a dunk to hit the 100 point mark for the USA. Syracuse commit Trevor Cooney coming alive in the 4th with back to back 3 pointers and shortly thereafter Rivers rips Jones for a quick layup followed by a deep 3 on a great look from Kyrie.
Josh Hairston makes a great move in the post with a power dribble and a dunk with two USVI defenders hanging on him; he then sinks the free throw. After yet another 3 from Austin, Team USA attempts to let up and finishes the game 131-63.

Austin ends the game as Team USA's leading scorer with 18 points followed by Quincy, Cooney, and Nash with 15. Kyrie finished with 11 points, 6 boards, and 3 dimes, while Quincy broke the USA Basketball record for rebounds with 17.

Written By: Big Pappa