Duke Blue Planet BLOG

Galleries: Phone-A-Thon | CWC Banquet

Since the season ended, our players have remained busy catching up on school work, getting back on the court in workouts, hitting the weight room, and meeting with coaches to plan for the spring and summer.  This past week, most of the guys did all of the above, along with dedicating some time to connect with our Sixth Man and say thanks.

First, on Tuesday, the team participated in the annual Iron Dukes Call-A-Thon, where they joined other Duke student-athletes in making surprise calls to Iron Dukes members.  “It is important for us to recognize our supporters,” said Kyle Singler.  “I just wanted to thank them for giving us opportunities we would not have had without their support.  They are an important part of our team.”  The Iron Dukes development group supports all 26 Blue Devil varsity teams by raising money for scholarship endowments, facilities, and annual budgets.

The Call-A-Thon was also a productive networking and public speaking experience for our players as they were able to connect with individuals involved in unique fields and occupations.  Our teams’ call lists included owners of pro sports franchises, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, and CEOs from all over the nation.

Yesterday, the team engaged with another group of our greatest supporters at the second annual Crazies Who Care Banquet. The Duke women’s team, children and staff from the Emily K Center, representatives from Duke Children’s Hospital, and friends of Duke Basketball and the Crazies also attended the event celebrating the 2008-09 season. Crazies Who Care, a group of diehard Crazies, has raised over $15,000 for charity over the past two years while also volunteering regularly at the Emily K Center.  At many of our home games, CWC representatives can be seen asking Crazies attending our games if they would like to donate $1 to support the Emily K Center and the Duke Children’s Hospital (given that attendance is free for students).

Said Lance Thomas, “We wanted to thank the Cameron Crazies and everyone who has supported our team this year and had our backs.  We wouldn’t be able to do it without them.”

Like many other college seniors, Greg Paulus has spent much of April exploring opportunities for the next stage of his life.  Unlike other college seniors, this process for Greg has included a whirlwind of media interest, travel, workouts, and football tosses.

A few weeks ago, the Green Bay Packers lead southeastern college scout reached out to Greg to gauge the point guard’s interest in football.  Said Greg, “When the Packers communication came through, that was when I started to throw the football again, and I found that it was a lot of fun.”

Since then, Greg has worked out for the Packers, received calls from other NFL teams, talked to football coaches in the Big East and Big 10, and taken a trip to Michigan.

“I’m looking at some different opportunities,” Greg told the media today.  “There’s a few different opportunities out there involving football, involving basketball.  Right now, I’m just trying to gather information and take it step by step to figure out the best thing for me to do in the future.”

The national media has taken a strong interest in Greg’s current situation.  The two-time Academic All-American has been discussed at length on sports talk shows, held a well-attended press conference yesterday at Duke after fielding a national teleconference call, been featured in over 600 news articles, talked to Dan Patrick and appeared on ESPN’s PTI.

“I’m a little surprised,” Greg said about all of the media interest.  “There have been some really great opportunities that have come up and I am very appreciative.”

In the meantime, Greg will continue to research his options to determine what he wants to do next.  “I have to do my homework,” he said.  ”Is this a good situation?  Is there a chance for me to do what I want to do?  Do they have, most importantly, a chance for me to progress academically?”

April 11, 2009

DeMarcus Nelson is heading back to the NBA with help from a former Blue Devil.  Quin Snyder, the head coach of the NBA D-League’s Austin Toros and a former Duke player and coach, mentored DeMarcus during a productive recent D-League stint.  The Chicago Bulls signed DeMarcus for the rest of the year on Thursday after the California native played 13 games for the Golden State Warriors, nine games for the D-League’s Bakersfield Jam, one game for a pro team in Croatia, and then 11 games with Snyder in Austin.

“I was hopeful that DeMarcus would decide that the D-League could be an opportunity that he could build on and that he would choose to enter the league’s pool,” said Coach Snyder.  ”Prior to his decision to do so, Coach K and I talked a number of times about the fit.  When we had Pops Mensa Bonsu called up to the Spurs, now signed with the Raptors, we moved to the top of the draft pool, and DeMarcus was the player that we wanted.  Dell Demps, GM and Spurs director of pro player personnel, had known DeMarcus since he was young, having grown up in the same neighborhood.  It was a no-brainer for Dell and me.”

The decision was a no-brainer for DeMarcus as well.  Coach Snyder, yesterday named the D-League’s Coach of the Year, has guided Austin to a 31-18 record this season and a spot in the playoffs despite having a league-best 10 players called up to the NBA.  Last season, Coach Snyder’s Toros reached the D-League Finals after winning the Southwest Division with a 30-20 record.  Playing in Austin allowed DeMarcus to play for a proven coach and a supportive friend, leading to impressive results.

In his 11 Toros games, DeMarcus averaged 23.0 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 4.2 APG and 1.2 SPG in 41.4 MPG.  He shot the ball extremely well, hitting 53.8% from the floor, 45% from downtown and 80.3% from the charity stripe.  In his final Toros game, DeMarcus scored 30 points (11-19 FG) and added 10 boards and six assists.  He scored at least 25 points in six games for Austin, including a 39-point outburst on March 22nd, and Dime Mag labeled him one of the D-League’s top three players.

Coach Snyder told us, “DeMarcus was great.  He is growing as a player which is a credit to the foundation he built at Duke and his own willingness to accept coaching.  I tried to be hard on him and I am really excited for him now.  A half hour ago, having already been called up to the Bulls, he sent a text to our director of PR to ask how our game was going.  That is the kind of person he is.”

In addition to DeMarcus’ great attitude, work ethic and desire to improve, Coach Snyder was excited to coach the 2008 Duke All-American because of their obvious shared passion for the Blue Devils. “We were out of town for the Duke/Texas game and DeMarcus was upset,” said Coach Snyder.  “He wanted to visit a sports bar in Austin and take on all comers.  I should have known on the Sunday of the ACC tourney finals he would be upset with me for our practice spilling over, making him miss some of the game against FSU. We knew Coach K would have wanted us to practice, and he went to work like he always does.   That’s why he is playing in the NBA and I am happy to be his coach.”

G helped the Blue Devils to a 30-7 record, the 2009 ACC title and a trip to the Sweet 16.  The PA native was tied for the team lead in scoring at 16.5 PPG, while also ranking second in rebounding (4.9 RPG) and assists (91).  The high-flying All-ACC First Team choice scored in double figures 31 times in 2008-09, including 11 games with 20 or more points scored.

All-America Selections, 1985-2009

1. Duke: 31

2. UNC: 23

3. Kansas: 19

4. Arizona: 16

5. Syracuse: 15

Individual All-Americans by Active Coaches

1. Coach K: 20

2. Roy Williams: 12

3. Jim Boeheim: 11

4. Jim Calhoun: 8

5. Rick Barnes: 7

Coach K’s All-Americans

Gerald Henderson (2009)

DeMarcus Nelson (2008)

JJ Redick (2004, 2005, 2006)

Shelden Williams (2004, 2005, 2006)

Chris Duhon (2004)

Carlos Boozer (2002)

Mike Dunleavy (2002)

Jason Williams (2001, 2002)

Shane Battier (2000, 2001)

Chris Carrawell (2000)

Elton Brand (1999)

Trajan Langdon (1998, 1999)

Grant Hill (1992, 1993, 1994)

Bobby Hurley (1992, 1993)

Christian Laettner (1990, 1991, 1992)

Danny Ferry (1988, 1989)

Tommy Amaker (1987)

Mark Alarie (1986)

Johnny Dawkins (1985, 1986)

Gene Banks (1981)

Note: Included are the All-America honors recognized in the NCAA Records Book (Sporting News, AP, USBWA, NABC and Wooden)