Allen is the first commit in the class of 2014

Here is my earlier post with video.

Committed!!! twitter.com/GraysonJAllen/…

— Grayson Allen (@GraysonJAllen) April 24, 2013

Duke Recruit 6’2″ Tyus Jones of Apple Valley, MN, Photo by Andrew Slater

I take a look back at the Nike EYBL Session 2 and give my thoughts on prospects and how they may have improved from a season ago.  Here is my take on some of the key Duke prospects with some added tidbits -

 Justise Winslow - The thing that most impressed me about Justise Winslow was his court vision which makes him a really good passing wing. Winslow plays on a very talented team which is interchangeable at some positions. There are times when he  brings the ball up the court which is a testament to his getting better with his overall handle since a season ago. Winslow is a team oriented player who seems well versed in what he can and cannot get away with in that he is in touch with his capabilities. He can take his man off the dribble an moves strong to the rack when he gets his man on his hip or a screen is set. Winslow can also battle inside due to his strength. I can certainly understand why Krzyzewski and the staff prefer him over Theo Pinson. IMO, Winslow has done a better job of harnessing his skill set and it certainly doesn’t hurt that he’s a high character kid on and off the court, valuing education and showing a wise mind when dealing with media and teammates alike. Duke is in sold shape here and Winslows’ brother probably prefers the Blue Devils but he glows when talking of Arizona too, so there is work to be done and this one will likely come down to the wire.

Theo Pinson - The athletic wing has moments where he seems to lost his focus and that does not always allow for a consistent effort. But when he is on, he’s a very talented young man who plays at a high level. Pinson still needs work on his stroke and finishing better on drive. Actually, he would be better served kicking out more often when he finds traffic on drives instead of trying to create a sensational shot. Duke is still recruiting Pinson but it is clear that he is their second choice to Winslow at this time but as we know in recruiting, things can change in a days time.

Tyus Jones - Jones is a flat-out competitor and a cool customer. I have said in the past that he’s a silent killer at times and this season he demands the ball even more when the game is on the line. And his Howard Pulley teammates want the ball in his hands for he always seems to come through at crunch time. Pulley seems to always play in close games and they overachieve due to Jones play. I joked with him during an interview that he was “Jack Frost,” in that he is so cool in the clutch, almost always coming through. In fact, it would be story worth and draw attention if he flopped when the game is on the line for it is so rare it happens. Jones has a shifty speed which is not jet like but is effective in that he changes speed well. His handle is solid and he can get shots off even when everybody in the gym knows a shot is coming often getting to the line. He’s also a deadly three-point threat even when not open and he can find the seams in the defense making him a ridiculous stat stuff with concerns to assists. Jones maintains that he will be a package deal with Jahlil Okafor and Coach K and Izzo among others were at all of his games.

Devin Booker – Duke is still recruiting or staying in touch with Booker despite getting a verbal from Grayson Allen. Booker has good defensive footwork and likes playing on ball defense. He has a nice stroke from the outside or can break you off the dribble. He also hustles non stop or at least he did in my views. He seems well versed in the game of basketball and plays with a quiet, cool confidence.

Elijah Thomas - He is not a super flashy big man, just one who gets the job done, defends well and can throw down dunks with ease. Thomas is still getting use to his frame and he can intimidate opponents. He plays with enthusiasm and confidence and is alight hearted kind of kid off the court, whose Mom plays a huge role in his life. He is a big time prospect in next seasons class that likes Duke a lot but he has other schools who are right there as well. Thomas will draw more and more attention, so strap yourself in for a long recruitment on this one.

Harry Giles - Coach K really, really like this kid and was the first coach in the gym to see him in his opening game. Giles? He’s a long, lean, sure-fire talent who is incredibly coordinated for his height and age. Potential. He’s oozes in it and he was one of the few kids playing on the 16U teams which drew a bevy of major college coaches, Giles mentioned that he is already tiring of the media process, so stay tuned. He seems a bit shy off the court but not so much so on it. While he can not always be super vocal, he does talk on the court and directs teammates for he understands spacing well at his age. He took it the length of the court for slams, made sweeping hook moves where he kissed the ball off glass and attributes his handle to wanting to be a guard when he was growing up. Ridiculous upside.

The best prospect I have ever seen in this regard was former Duke PG Kyrie Irving, now an NBA stud.  Irving, though, was special and that made you want to watch all of his games.  Jones may not be in Irving’s elite class, but he’s not far from it, for he has that gift of squeezing out the best from his teammates, even when they are not the most talented bunch.

More so than ever this EYBL season, Jones has had that special presence.  He wants the ball when the game is on the line. Whether it is scoring the ball, getting off a tough pass to a teammate, or finding a way to get to the line, Jones thinks on the fly with the best of them. And he demonstrated all of that this past weekend in Hampton.

Another thing I noticed is that Jones is starting to get his opponents’ best shot every time out, as players try to prove themselves against the best, in front of the various talent evaluators at these events, and boost their own rankings in the process.  One such game where Jones stood out was a match-up against Wisconsin Elite and star guard Rashad Vaughn, a fellow Minnesota standout being recruited by the likes of UNC and others.  The two went at it all game long in front of a bevy of America’s best coaches, including Duke head man Mike Krzyzewski, who never missed a minute of any of Jones’ games.

In a close, high-scoring game, Jones once again took over down the stretch. It started on the defensive end with a key steal, leading to his drawing a foul which helped Howard Pulley tie the game.  With a minute left in the game and the score tied, Jones wiggled free for a three-point dagger.  A game Wisconsin Elite team answered, cutting the lead to 81-80, but Jones iced the game with another three-pointer, giving his team an 84-80 win in one of the session’s better games.

“Up and down, more of a motion offense and style,” Jones stated post-game when asked what kind of team he wants to play for in college. It was easy to see from his performance that this is a kid who could man the controls with ease for a program like Duke.

As you have seen in our other interviews, Jones is saying he wants to make a Fall decision, but if you are looking for a tip on where he is leaning, you are unlikely to get it from the many interviews he does.  Jones is quick to crack a smile but he has a serious poker face as well. He knows how to navigate the unsteady waters of recruiting and the recruiting media just as effectively as he does a defense when he enters the lane.

“In the college game, I just try to watch all the point guards and take bits and pieces from each one.  In the NBA, I love watching Chris Paul and how he takes apart the game,” said Jones post-game.

It’s no wonder why Krzyzewski has taken such a liking to Jones and wants to coach him, for he is a good Duke fit and a player the Blue Devils would like to grow even more.

When asked what he would work on as the summer begins, Jones said, “Just overall speed and strength.”

Jones is a cool customer on the court, never out of control and an assist machine.  In the past, it’s amazed me how much he stuffs the stat sheet in that his smooth performances are not choppy in nature but almost like a silent, steady killer.  In other words, you think he has 16 and 5 only to find out he has 28 points and 12 assists.  He just blends in without being overly flashy like some players try to be in an effort to be noticed.

I joked with Tyus, whose mom liked the name from having heard of former UCLA guard Tyus Edney, that he was like “Jack Frost” on the hardwood, cool and deadly.  That earned a little smile for he is not the type to pound you with cocky assertions while being interviewed.

“I’m just trying to make plays, that is what I am always trying to do.  My teammates have been playing great this weekend, so I feel I owe it to them to make a play down the stretch and that’s what I’ve tried to do the last two games,” said Jones, always one to defer to his teammates after a win.

Jones is a competitor.  He just finds ways to help his team win.  He’s a young man well aware that not all the teams playing now will end up in a steamy Augusta, South Carolina come July for the Nike Peach Jam.  If you get the opportunity to see Jones in person, look at the determination on his face as he drives a crowded lane and watch how he finds the best opportunity presented him, taking advantage of any little weakness by his defenders.

“Definitely, definitely.  Peach Jam is the ultimate goal, so every win you can get whether it’s by one point or fifty points, each one is key,” said Jones when I asked him of his drive and the importance he seemingly placed on every game.

“Competitive game, overtime, it was a great game,” I said to Jones.

Jones agreed. “It was. It was a great game. Going back and forth all game long, there is nothing better than good competition, so it was fun.”

And it is becoming fun to watch Tyus Jones and how he finds ways to help his Howard Pulley team win.

For the Duke Blue Devils, they've experienced an inordinate amount of success on the recruiting trail that has spanned for decades. Year after year, highly coveted recruits have viewed the Duke basketball program in Durham, N.C. as a preeminent step towards paramount player development, major national media coverage and above all else, excellence.

With that being said, how do you go about selecting five Duke recruits that exemplified greatness while being attached with an excessive amount of hype and expectations to succeed?

That is an extremely tough question to answer. Nevertheless, it has to be done.

Without further ado and through careful consideration, these are the five most heavily hyped recruits in the storied history of the Duke basketball program. 

Agree or disagree? Be sure to express what you think in the comments section. Also, to add to the debate, include your five most heavily hyped Duke recruits.

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Dahntay Jones joined the Blue Devils in 2001 after transferring from Rutgers and went on to become an All-ACC player during his senior season. Then, Seth Curry transferred to Duke in 2009 after spending a year at Liberty and became one of the most proficient scorers in school history. Curry also earned All-American honors from Sporting News during his senior season.

Now, the Blue Devils are hoping for big things from Rodney Hood, a talented transfer from Mississippi State.

The question is whether or not Hood can handle the pressure and expectations at Duke.

In his freshman season at Mississippi State, Hood averaged 10 points and four rebounds per game while shooting 44 percent from the field. He was an important part of the team and averaged 32 minutes per game while being named to the SEC's All-Freshman team.

At Duke, he'll be in a situation where he has more talented players around him, but many are expecting his productivity to also increase.

There have been rumors around the program that Hood was the best player in Duke's practices last season, and his teammates are expecting his skills to be on full display this coming season.

According to the Duke Chronicle, teammate Alex Murphy stated, "The best thing about playing against Rodney everyday is I think he is as good of a player as there is in the country."

At 6'8", 210 pounds, Hood brings an intriguing mix of size, athleticism and skill that makes him a very valuable weapon for Krzyzewski. He can knock down perimeter shots, but he also brings the ability to create off the dribble and get to the basket. His length and leaping ability also provide him the tools to be an outstanding defender.

After having a year to practice with the team and learn from Coach K and the rest of the Duke coaching staff, Hood should be able to make a relatively seamless transition to playing in the ACC.

He's also fortunate to be playing in a lineup that will include Quinn Cook, Rasheed Sulaimon, Jabari Parker and Amile Jefferson, which means he won't have to worry about carrying the team, and he can pick his spots in the offense.

In many ways, Hood's game has many similarities to Grant Hill, one of the greatest Blue Devils of all time.

The threat to score from anywhere on the floor and the ability to guard multiple positions on defense made Hill an extremely effective player, and Hood can be used in the same way.

During Hill's second season of college basketball, he averaged 14 points, 5.7 rebounds and four assists per game. Look for Hood to put up similar numbers in what will be his second year of college basketball.

And if Hood's second season ends the same way Hill's second season ended, the Blue Devils will be cutting down the nets in Arlington at the Final Four.

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Read more Duke Basketball news on BleacherReport.com

Bobby Hurley and Chris Collins are just two of the numerous guards Coach K has had on his team in the past. Their paths to a D1 head coaching job might be different, but both will get a shot to make their mark at schools with very little basketball tradition. This means that they will get a shot to make their own legacy, and possibly land a bigger payday down the road.

Despite entering the coaching game late, Hurley can lean on both his dad (Bob Hurley Sr.) and his coach at Duke when he settles in for his first season at Buffalo. It will also help him on the recruiting trail that just about any college basketball follower, or fantasy basketball player, will know who he is. As one of the most decorated players in the history of the sport, he appears to have the energy and desire to begin competing right away in the MAC.

Collins has taken the much more traditional approach to coaching, as he has been on the Duke sidelines for quite a while learning directly under Krzyzewski. There have been rumors and offers thrown his way in the past, but the Chicago-area native felt Northwestern was the right fit for him.

Despite the Wildcats having very little success in basketball throughout their history, Collins feels like success can happen there. The Big Ten is certainly a grinder, but the right recruiting philosophy and scheduling out of conference could finally get them in the tournament.

Both coaches certainly have their work cut out for them, but the D1 Duke coaching connections continue to grow. They are going to have the chance to prove they can turn things around at historically bad schools, which means the chance for advancement (if they win) could be high.

Duke has shown interest in Memphis transfer Tarik Black, as reported earlier, so have a multitude of schools. Duke also showed interest in Rutgers transfer Eli Carter at the guard spot.

Here is some behind the scenes footage of Duke commit Matt Jones (@matt_jones8) courtesy of USA Today.

Duke fans are pondering all these questions over the painful period that is the offseason in college basketball.

Unfortunately, it's impossible to know the answers to any of these until we see the Blue Devils take the court next season. However, that doesn't prevent us from enjoying the speculation of what we hope the answers will be.

As we continue to look forward to next season, let's look at the five most burning questions for Duke's offseason.

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There are numerous storylines surrounding Duke’s 2014 recruiting. Each one not only has it’s own interesting narrative, but it speaks to the Blue Devils’ future plans.

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Quinn Cook will suit up for Duke as a junior this coming year and will most likely get the lion’s share of minutes at the point. Here is an article by accbasketball.com ranking ACC point guards included is Duke’s Quinn Cook.

In the East:

Defending world champions Miami Heat have former Duke great Shane Battier. An integral part of their rotation Battier brings a lot of the same qualities he did at Duke to the Heat. Including his stellar defense and adept 3 point shooting. His in-game intelligence is also off the charts. Matching up against the Miami Heat are the Milwaukee Bucks who have a couple of Dukies on their roster. Small forward Mike Dunleavy and shooting guard J.J. Redick can both light it up from the outside and Dunleavy, as Dukies know, can get to the rim and back down his defender by posting up. There is plenty of information for the casual and hardcore fan alike.

The Chicago Bulls look to make some noise in the playoffs and if they can get to the Eastern Conference finals, may be the best chance for a team to unseat the Heat. The Bulls have a strong Duke contingent in Luol Deng, the do-everything small forward and power forward Carlos Boozer. Deng was a one year wonder at Duke but was probably the most versatile player since Grant Hill to wear Duke blue, Deng was a precursor to players like Ryan Kelly who create match-up problems for typical small and power forwards. Boozer was an important piece in Dukes title run in 2001 and is averaging nearly a double-double for the Bulls this season.

The Boston Celtics have 6-10 forward Shavlick Randolph on roster and he has seen some playing time this year at the power forward spot. Shav never really got his Duke career to match up with expectations but he is quietly building a journeyman resume in the NBA and overseas leagues. The Indiana Pacers drafted Miles Plumlee in last years draft and have shuffled him in and out of the NBA Development League. This thinking is a good way for Plumlee to gain experience and not languish on the bench. Plumlee has put on muscle in his time in the NBA and has legit power forward size. He is still in the early stages of his career but I like what the Pacers are doing in terms of his development time-table. The Atlanta Hawks boast 9 year veteran Dahntay Jones on their roster, the undersized small forward is one of the most athletically gifted players to ever come out of Duke and had become a lockdown defender in the league.

In the West:

Out west conventional wisdom says the Lakers have very little chance of making it past the first round without Kobe Bryant, but one never knows and that’s why they play the games. The Lakers did end the regular season on a winning streak and Pau Gasol seems to have regained whatever we all assumed he lost and is assuming a leadership role on the team in Kobe’s absence. Chris Duhon has been a key reserve for LA and with Steve Blake and Steve Nash battling nagging injuries at times this season Duhon has been an important cog at the point guard spot. His experience and shooting touch is a piece of the puzzle that could propel the Lakers forward should Blake and Nash continue to have issues.

The other team residing in LA employs Duke royalty. Grant Hill at 40 years old is still going strong and prepping to help his Clippers in their 2013 playoff push. Grant is a steadying influence, and is still a viable go to guy on offense and a defender who can shut you down. Grant does not play like a 40-year-old and is as spry now as he ever has been, still quick to the ball and with bounce he has rewritten his injury plagued story to one of physical redemption and success.