Travis Branham said I believe yesterday that it was between Duke and Tennessee now. He felt like a decision could be coming soon. Not sure if he mention soon as because draft and portal decision should be made in the next week or so.
Nate Ament
- Thread starter dukecorey
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I don’t think Jon just takes talent that doesn’t fit, of course players have to gel. There isn’t a coach in America that says no to a top 5 talent.
Wow…did Tennessee come out of nowhere? Writing on the wall says he really wants Duke but money will be a factor. I know Louisville was really putting together a nice deal for him…
And that is fine. I just don't want Evans recruited over.
I think Evans returns . He can play at the sg spot and would be a modern NBA sg in length and size .
I agree 100%, especially if Proctor does leave. Evans & Ament would be very nice 2/3’s combo.
I see your point, but I mean when you already have a good guy and then go after a higher rated guy. A guy like Brown or Sion is an example of not recruiting over. I think Power and Stewart were already disgruntled. You cannot have a whole team of 5 stars. 99 did, but a guy like Nate James is not going to wait years to start today.
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Ament seems like a really gifted offensive player but a really poor defender as of now. Does this seem right to others who’ve seen him? Very lackluster on D from the full games I’ve watched.
I loved how Scheyer constructed this year’s team with elite defense. Henderson seems like he fits that mold. Cam Boozer seems serviceable on D but is very strong and Maliq/Pat can complement. Just don’t know what to think of Ament given his lack of strength and defense. Struggling to see the fit.
I loved how Scheyer constructed this year’s team with elite defense. Henderson seems like he fits that mold. Cam Boozer seems serviceable on D but is very strong and Maliq/Pat can complement. Just don’t know what to think of Ament given his lack of strength and defense. Struggling to see the fit.
Coach K just called Cooper the best Duke freshman ever, and I think J Will too. He had a very mature game for a freshman. Him and Kon were not your typical OADs. Even a guy like Tatum, who is mentioned as one of the best NBA players, struggled a bit at Duke. I saw him in person at Florida State, a game we lost in early Feb. Tatum got his points but did not really have a big impact on the game, which was very physical. Not picking on Tatum, just using him as an example. That team did not respond well to a physical game, so South Carolina beating us was not that surprising. I call that the Chase Jeter getting repeatedly dunked on game. It was brutal, watching from the 10th row with my dad.
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Cooper was the best freshmen I’ve ever watched at Duke, and that goes back to the mid 80’s. Every other oad close to his size had some weak parts to their game. Some were really noticeable. Paolo is the closest comp to him. I liked him a lot, but I'd take Cooper at 80% healthy over him.
Flagg was everything the experts said he was then some.
yup. Coop played like an upperclassman all year. Same with Kon. Their IQ/bodies were ready for the college game and the adjustment was minimal.
This is why I don’t personally get too caught up in classifications. For example, Cam Boozer is going to come in as a freshman but is built like a senior and is extremely skilled/polished, especially for a big. Ament I would expect will be more of what you would see out of freshman/sophomore.
This is why I don’t personally get too caught up in classifications. For example, Cam Boozer is going to come in as a freshman but is built like a senior and is extremely skilled/polished, especially for a big. Ament I would expect will be more of what you would see out of freshman/sophomore.
Every Duke recruit should expect to compete for PT and earn it. I don't want guys who expect things to be handed to them. Being "recruited over" is a myth.
Agreed Dattier, I've seen some pencil Cayden as a starter in the backcourt. I'm not on that boat, especially if Foster, Proctor, Evans, and Harris return (guys who have all been in the program for some time). Cayden is really good, but I'm not one to solidify him as a starter. Coach Scheyer is Recruiting guys who are not afraid to Earn their minutes. Proctor, Foster, Evans, and Ngongba have all Experienced playing very limited minutes to finding their way into the rotation during their time at Duke.
I am recruiting over the both of you.
If Cayden starts it’s cuz he separates himself. I don’t expect that but I’d take it
I know it's only an All star game, but in last night's game, Cayden looked pretty good but at least twice his man drove right past him. Either he lacks quickness or he has a lot to learn about moving his feet.
Agreed. The issue I’m seeing with next year’s team is a bunch of “serviceable” guys on D. Cam, Cayden, Evans, Khamenia, etc. Also with Jai gone, idk maybe I’m being pessimistic because of the makeup of the previous team and how perfect the roster construction was. I could be underselling Cam and Khamenia a little but still.
This is why I think Tyrese and Maliq are vital for next year and any portal guy needs to be an excellent defender. I’m sure Evans will clean up his shot selection if he returned but he has to break some nasty habits or those bad shots could lead to easy offense for the other team. And I keep saying it but again, Ament playing on the wing will mightily struggle getting blown by or against the physicality of the Houston/Tennesee/Texas Techs of the world. Open to any thoughts if I’m looking at this wrong.
I think getting Proctor back is key. If not I think we take a big step back defensively. He set the tone on defense. It also would mean we lose all 5 starters, which is never a good thing even if you reload. We should be able to pay him good NIL and he is projected as mid second round. If he leaves or tests the waters we need a portal guard, but will it be too late by then? The frontcourt is set assuming we get Pat and Brown back. The big Boozer kid seems like a Banchero type sure thing. I am hearing mixed things about the smaller Boozer after last night, seems a step slow. I'm sure he will be good but maybe not an instant starter.
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Cayden is projected as a second year break out star. If he starts it’s like Pisgah said , he separated himself . I noticed Duke is also looking at the Sarr kid from overseas that played last night . He’s 6’5” and thinking about playing one year of college ball.
Decided to look at the box score of the hoops summit and noticed that Ament got 0 shots up. I wonder if his camp told him to not go all out playing and to not get injured in any way. Isn't he the last recruit that hasn't decided yet? Just find it odd how supposedly looked good all week during practice and did nothing last night.
Just a thought 🤷♂️
Just a thought 🤷♂️
I watched a good bit of it and he really didn’t have the ball at all hardly.
Scheyer has to know who is coming and going.
It’s too important for Duke for him not to know.
It’s too important for Duke for him not to know.
Definitely in the camp Cayden isn’t a for sure starter. He will have to beat out Foster to be the starting 1. Foster is a Dog.
So you would have rather had Powers than Kon, Brakefield vs Coop or Reeves over Mal. In today’s game even the 4 stars don’t want to sit and wait - you have to recruit them from the portal but you can’t turn down elite talent to hope some 4 star materializes in year 3 or 4
Games I seen Ament play he needs to get stronger
As does every player we’ve had the last decade+
Have to think we will know a lot more this week on who’s leaving and staying. A lot of movement last week and chatter for Ament to Duke so have to think we know we’re losing a large chunk of the production.
And I'd rather keep folks for consistency than gain a string bean.
