Wednesday, August 04, 2004

Recruiting - Hoops

Well, the last thing you want to hear is that Duke and North Carolina hoops are back on top of the recruiting world. After getting burned in this last class, looks like both are setting up for excellent hauls. This story highlights that eye-rolling fact. And check out the "Coach K" effect:

But Duke appears well on its way to securing better depth for the future. Turning down the Los Angeles Lakers' job in July enhanced Krzyzewski's visibility to the point that players get flustered when he walks into a gym.

Rick Isaacs, the coach of the West Coast-based H-Squad AAU team, said he pointed to Krzyzewski in the bleachers at a recent game. He told the players to take a good look and get it out of their system.

Isaacs is amazed at how Krzyzewski affects players. Gibbons said Krzyzewski reminds him of an old rival, and said it's no wonder that he is assembling another highly touted class.

"He is in a position right now that once was said of Dean Smith," Gibbons said. "They don't recruit. They select."