This week, I interviewed Brian Whitfield. He is a 6’5” Shooting guard that has the most unique situation of all the players I have interviewed. He is coming off of a season that was cut short due to injury. He averaged 15 PPG, 4 RPG, and 5 APG. He is from Atlanta, and has played at the NAIA and JUCO levels.

First off, Whitfield started off by talking about his beginnings and his inspiration. 

Growing up in Atlanta was dangerous, you really gotta stay focus. My motivation is my mother just seeing her struggle everyday. Her not eating everyday and making a way for her 3 sons to eat. Also, my cousin passing due to gang violence really motivated me to move alone and focus on my craft. My biggest influence is my trainer Cam Davis. He has worked and molded my whole game from the ground up. He gives me advice and keeps my mental on track when I get down on myself.

Q1-You have recently played for La Sierra University at the NAIA level. Why did you decide to go that route and what should people know about the NAIA level?

I went to an NAIA because out of JUCO I had D1 offers.  However, had to step away from the game due to personal issues. At that level you’d be surprised as to how many high major division 1 transfers we played against.

Q2-This past year, you got injured and were limited to 6 games. What has helped you stay focused while rehabbing?

The thing that helped me with rehabbing my body is going on a strict diet. No meat, all water and fruits vegetables and grains and nuts. You have to learn different ways to make protein and food taste good for yourself .While I rehab, I am focusing on total body strength . Increasing my vertical back and even higher by time the summer over.

Q3-You are currently in the recruiting process and have 2 years left of eligibility. What can you say about your next move? 

I plan to go to D2 Paine college in Augusta Georgia and play under Coach Beard. Coach Beard has connections to the NBA. He has had a rough season last year and I plan to turn that around. Every player in college will be on notice division 2 and 1. I’m coming for everyone.

Q4-You have also played at the JUCO level. How would you compare the talent and overall experience of NAIA vs. JUCO?

The talent in JUCO is its top tier. There is nothing but dogs in JUCO. You really have to focus on your work and basketball. You are competing against your teammates and opponents for a scholarship.There are talented players in both divisions. You have to play everyday and night and really work on your craft.

Q5-Finally, your goal is to declare for the 2021 NBA Draft. How do you plan to do this coming from smaller schools and what advice would you give others trying to play professionally without going D1?

With me planning to declare from a division 2 school I really have to take care of what I can control. Focus on myself and my game. I Work on my craft everyday, I can only focus on the work because all the results will come from my work. I plan to do something impossible and something that never has been done in this day and age…a D2 guard getting drafted. I also plan to get POY in my conference, be first team all defense, win a conference ship and make the D2 tournament

Whitfield’s trainer Cameron Davis with EYA sports training also had this to say about him.

Brian has been working with me since the summer of 2016. He lives and breathes this game. Anytime I’m in the gym, Brian is in the gym. Paine is getting a kid that will work his butt off and help the Paine program reach new levels. If everything works out, Brian can play at the next level. He is a 6’5 guard that can do anything you need. He is a player that wants to be pushed and challenged, and I believe Paine is the right school for him to embrace that challenge.

Big shout-out to Brian for the Interview. I can’t wait to see what he does in the future!

May 8, 2020

A couple of days ago, I had my followers ask me some questions about the 2020-2021 Duke Men’s Basketball Team! Below, I will answer each question with a full analysis on why I feel that way.

How many points will Jordan Goldwire average per game?

Jordan Goldwire will average around 6.0 points per game. From his Sophmore season to his Junior season, Goldwire averaged 3.8 more points per game (0.9 –> 4.7), 15.5 more minutes per game, his field goal percentage increased by 21.4%, his three point percentage increased by 23.4% while taking 2.5 more shots per game. While I do expect Goldwire to get about the same amount of playing time as he had last season (24.1 MPG), he will (most likely) be a Senior captain next season which means he will be relied on more than ever. Because of the leadership Goldwire will bring to the team next season, I believe his points per game will slightly increase from 4.7 to about 6.0

What is your projected starting lineup?

My projected starting five is Jeremy Roach, Wendell Moore Jr, Jalen Johnson, Matthew Hurt, and Patrick Tapé. Although I believe there will be many different starting units throughout the season (similar to 2019-2020), I think this is the best starting 5 in terms of a mesh with experience/skill. The obvious first question many will have is: why are you starting Tapé over Mark Williams? I would start Tapé because he would bring experience to the starting unit. Although I would start Tapé, I would have Williams play starter minutes off the bench with Tapé playing about 10-15 minutes. Another question I could see many people having is: what about D.J. Steward? Similar to how I would give Williams starter minutes, I would give Steward similar minutes. I believe Steward could have a similar impact off the bench that Devin Booker brought Kentucky in the 2014-2015 season. Although I don’t have Mark Williams, D.J. Steward, Jordan Goldwire, or Joey Baker in my starting 5, I fully expect that they will all at least start one game. The only player that I would call a starter lock for every game is Jalen Johnson.

What are your stat predictions for the Freshman?

Jalen Johnson: 16.0 PPG, 3.5 APG, 6.0 RPG, 46% FG, 30% 3PT

Jalen Johnson will be the Blue Devils go to scorer next season. Although he isn’t a great perimeter shooter, Johnson is an excellent slasher and is magnificent finishing through contact. Johnson is also a sneakily good passer. I expect him to play some point forward throughout the season and pick up additional assists by grabbing defensive rebounds and immediately taking the ball coast to coast. Additionally, Johnson has excellent length and is extremely athletic which will help him be a key rebounder for the Blue Devils.

Mark Williams: 7.0 PPG, 0.5 APG, 7.5 RPG, 60% FG, 15% 3PT

Mark Williams is one of two players that is capable of playing center so he’s due to get a lot of playing time. While Williams is extremely talented, he most likely won’t have the type of interior scoring that Vernon Carey Jr brought to Duke last year. Williams will most likely get most of his points on lobs and a few interior touches but I doubt that he’s going to be a first, second, or third option on the court due to the talent of the returning players and that Johnson, Steward, Roach will likely see the ball in their hands more than Williams. Although I don’t expect Williams to have a huge role on offense, I expect him to still rack up about 7 points per game. Williams isn’t much of a playmaker but he should still pick up a few assists here and there. Where Williams should be phenomenal, is on the boards. Williams will be by far the best rebounder on the team next year due to his elite size, strength, and athleticism. Williams should be a force on the glass gaining the Blue Devils additional offensive possessions and keeping the opposing team’s best rebounders off the glass.

D.J. Steward: 12.0 PPG, 3.0 APG, 1.5 RPG, 47% FG, 40% 3PT

DJ Steward will be one of the Blue Devils’ most important offensive players next season. Steward’s unique combination of athleticism, finishing through contact, perimeter shooting and playmaking will be a vital piece of Duke’s success next season. Due to the depth that Duke posses for the 2020-2021 season, I expect Steward to be a reliable shooter from the perimeter and get buckets around the rim. Although Steward is a combo guard, I see him mainly playing shooting guard but still being a capable ball handler/facilitator when on the court. Steward most likely won’t be much of a factor on the boards but due to his athleticism, he might be able to snag a few rebounds every game.

Jeremy Roach: 11.0 PPG, 5.5 APG, 2.0 RPG, 49% FG, 42% 3PT

Jeremy Roach will be the Blue Devils lead guard next year. Roach is a phenomenal three point shooter, has a high offensive IQ, and most importantly is durable. Durability is exactly what the Blue Devils will need next season due to Tre Jones’ departure to the NBA. Last season, Jones averaged the most minutes per game (35.4) and Roach is certainly capable of filling in for Jones. Roach will be one of Duke’s most dangerous three point shooters which will help him drive to the rim as well as dishing to open teammates to pick up assists. As well as being a good three point shooter, Roach is an underrated finisher and is very capable of finishing through contact. Roach will most likely be the primary ball handler and by constantly putting the ball in his hands, he will definitely rack up assists. Because he’s a point guard and isn’t overwhelmingly athletic, I don’t think Roach will be a huge factor on the board but could see him getting a couple of boards per game.

Henry Coleman: 2.0 PPG, 0.5 APG, 2.5 RPG, 55% FG, 15% 3PT

Jaemyn Brakefield: 3.5 PPG, 1.0 APG, 2.0 RPG, 45% FG, 37% 3PT

At the moment, it seems as if Coleman and Brakefield will either be fighting for minutes or sharing a limited amount of time which is why I don’t have them posting any crazy stats. Coleman’s strengths are slashing/rim running, while Brakefield’s main strengths are perimeter shooting/slashing. I feel Coleman will get slightly more playing time because he’s a better rebounder and defender. Duke has many players that are threats from beyond the three point arc which doesn’t help Brakefield’s case because he might just be buried on the depth chart. Once the season starts and we know about how many minutes Coleman and Brakefield are each playing, I will be able to make a better projected stat line for them; but at the moment, I’m just taking an educated guess.

What are your expectations for Duke next year?

My expectations for the 2020-2021 team is at the very least, an Elite 8 appearance. Instead of relying on mainly Freshman the past couple of seasons, Duke has a great mix of returning players and incoming recruits. I’m expecting Matthew Hurt and Wendell Moore Jr to take major strides in their second years; Jordan Goldwire, Joey Baker, and Patrick Tapé to provide great leadership and production; and that the incoming Freshman are going to be successful players. Although it has been fun to watch extraordinary one and done prospects come through Duke, it has been very rare to see Freshman carry a team to a National Championship. Due to the overall talent of the roster and the leadership/experience that the returning players will bring, I fully expect Duke to be one of the best teams in the country and definitely make a run for a National Championship.

Who will be Duke’s x-factor next season?

Next season, Duke’s x-factor will be Matthew Hurt. In his Freshman year, Hurt averaged 9.7 PPG, 0.9 APG, 3.8 RPG on 48.7% FG, and 39.3% 3PT. Although Hurt put up solid numbers, you could argue it was a disappointing season for him and there was no doubt that he was extremely inconsistent. Hurt will be Duke’s x-factor because if he is able to take the next step in his game by becoming confident, taking smart shots, and adding muscle; he will be one of the best players in all of college basketball. As his three point percentage from last year indicates, Hurt is an excellent stretch four who has the ability to create excellent floor spacing which results in better shots for himself and the team. If Hurt is able to improve his game over the offseason and become consistent, it will propel next season’s Duke team from good to great.

Who was the most underrated signee?

The most underrated signee was Jeremy Roach. Although Roach isn’t underrated as a player, what he’s bringing with him to Duke is exactly what the team needs. Roach is a durable, smart, good all around player which is a great addition to any team but an especially great addition to a team that just lost their starting point guard. If you’ve watched a Duke game the past two years, you would know that Tre Jones played virtually the whole game (unless it was a blowout) and Roach is the perfect point guard to fill Jones’ shoes. When talking about Roach, nbadraftnet.com states, “Roach is a true lead guard with advanced play-making skills. He plays with his head up, has great penetration ability and excels at finding his teammates.” From this description and watching his highlights, Roach’s playstyle reminds me of Jones’ playstyle which is exactly what Duke needs in their point guard for the 2020-2021 season.

Follow me on Instagram @dukembb.report for more Duke Basketball content!

Featured image via starnewsonline.com

3 Star Guard Ryan Conway has announced via Instagram that he will be suiting up in the Pirate Blue starting in the 2021-2022 season. Ryan is ranked 133^rd in the class of 2021 and he attended Dulaney HS in Cockeysville, Maryland this past season.

Ryan had a career high game this past season in which he scored 55 points, had 8 steals and shot 11/12 from beyond. He is a pure scorer as well as a worthy playmaker at the PG position.

As stated previously, he will be joining Seton Hall next season in 2021, looking to push for the starting point guard spot with then to be sophomore Jahari Long.

This is a huge add for Coach Willard and the Pirates and from what I am being told, the recruitment in the state of Maryland for the Class of 2021 is just beginning as the Pirates are heavily linked to Jakai Robinson and Jordan Hawkins. More to come as the offseason continues on. #HALLin

Article written by Domenick Mazzaferro, @pirates.mbb

UNC landed far below expectations last basketball season. 14-19 is about as disappointing as it gets for a blue blood such as the Tar Heels. A team can’t possibly turn it around that quickly, can they?

UNC comes in with the third ranked recruiting class for 2020. 5 stars Caleb Love, Day’ron Sharpe, and Walker Kessler lead the way with Puff Johnson (brother of former player Cam Johnson) and RJ Davis as 4 stars. 2 star Creighton Lebo committed as a walk-on as well. Kerwin Walton plans to make his decision between UNC and Arizona on April 25th. If they land him, it will add all the more depth to the team.

Caleb, Walker, and RJ all won Player of the Year for their respective states. After being bombarded with injuries this past season, the Tar Heels have a lot of depth. If the team can stay healthy, what’s keeping them from making a final four? Caleb Love, Anthony Harris, Jeremiah Francis, Creighton Lebo, Puff Johnson, RJ Davis, and Andrew Platek are the main guards. Leaky Black can play anywhere from PG to SF also. Armando Bacot, Garrison Brooks, Walker Kessler, Day’ron Sharpe, Sterling Manley, and Leaky Black if they need, can play the 4 and 5 positions. With all this depth and a healthy team, UNC can be scary next season.