Mason Plumlee

Duke Recruits and a Walk-on Ready to Save the Depleted Blue Devils

Words. Jason Jordan

Mason Plumlee. Photo. Courier-Journal.com

Former Christ School (N.C.) forward turned Duke freshman Mason Plumlee was named to the McDonald’s All-American team in February because of his athletic ability in the paint, but it wasn’t a major surprise to see Plumlee, all 6-feet-11-inches of him, bringing the ball up the court like a point guard.

Same with former Ravenscroft (N.C.) standout Ryan Kelly, a 6-9 freshman forward for the Blue Devils. Kelly, who was also a McDonald’s All-American, played more of a point forward and floated around the perimeter, similar to what Dirk Nowitzki does with the Mavs. MORE >

Star Recruits Give John Wall the Hard Sell

Words. dimemag

From North Carolina coach Roy Williams‘ phone call from the Final Four to John Calipari ditching Memphis for Kentucky to Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski putting on the full-court press, the recruitment of Word of God Academy (Raleigh, N.C.) point guard John Wall has been a true made-for-TV-drama.

But as talented as these head coaches are at selling their schools, often times it’s the recruits and signees that have the biggest impact on a player’s decision. We caught up with recruits from each of the schools that are perceived favorites for Wall’s signature and had them give their best sales pitch to land Wall… MORE >

Swine Flu Invades AAU Basketball

Words. Jason Jordan

Prep players around the country are making hygienic changes in wake of the swine flu pandemonium.

Don’t get him wrong, Reggie Bullock has never been mistaken for a germaphobe or an obsessive compulsive or being socially awkward, but in lieu of the recent swine flu mania, Bullock readily ‘fessed up to being all of the above.

“I do a lot of things different these days,” says Bullock, a junior shooting guard from Kinston (N.C.) High, who is rated the No. 13 prospect in HighSchoolHoop top 50. “One of the biggest things I do now is wipe the ball off every deadball during games. Every little bit helps. This whole swine flu stuff is crazy.” MORE >