Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Duke has its point guard for the 2015-16 season.
After meeting Monday with Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, 6-foot-2 Henderson (NV) Findlay Prep point guard Derryck Thornton opted to reclassify to 2015 and commit to the Blue Devils, sources confirmed to SNY.tv.
Paul Biancardi of ESPN.com first reported the commitment.
“Once Tyus [Jones] declared, Duke came after me hard,” Thornton told Biancardi.
“Last night, Coach K and [assistant] Jeff Capel came in for the visit and they told me how much confidence they have in me to be there point guard next year. They were very prepared about my game and their plan for me.
“They told me they could have went after fifth-year transfers but wanted me instead. I am excited about the opportunity and the challenge.”
Louisville had also tried to get Thornton to reclass for 2015.
Thornton becomes the fourth commit for the reigning NCAA champions, following shooting guard Luke Kennard, power forward Chase Jeter and 6-11 big man Antonio Vrankovic.
Coach K is also slated to meet Tuesday night with 2015 forward Brandon Ingram for the second time in a few days.
Thornton is also close with 2016 Gladstone (N.J.) Gill St. Bernard’s guard Tyus Battle, who visited Duke over the weekend and is strongly considering the Blue Devils along with several other schools. Thornton and Battle have discussed playing together in college.
Kennard told SNY.tv last week that he could play the point and had been told by the Duke staff to continue to work on his ball-handling.
Now he can play more of a scoring guard role and could play the point at times.
Duke had also been involved with Villanova transfer Dylan Ennis, who wants to play the point.
Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
Duke has its point guard for the 2015-16 season.
After meeting Monday with Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, 6-foot-2 Henderson (NV) Findlay Prep point guard Derryck Thornton opted to reclassify to 2015 and commit to the Blue Devils, sources confirmed to SNY.tv.
Paul Biancardi of ESPN.com first reported the commitment.
“Once Tyus [Jones] declared, Duke came after me hard,” Thornton told Biancardi.
“Last night, Coach K and [assistant] Jeff Capel came in for the visit and they told me how much confidence they have in me to be there point guard next year. They were very prepared about my game and their plan for me.
“They told me they could have went after fifth-year transfers but wanted me instead. I am excited about the opportunity and the challenge.”
Louisville had also tried to get Thornton to reclass for 2015.
Thornton becomes the fourth commit for the reigning NCAA champions, following shooting guard Luke Kennard, power forward Chase Jeter and 6-11 big man Antonio Vrankovic.
Coach K is also slated to meet Tuesday night with 2015 forward Brandon Ingram for the second time in a few days.
Thornton is also close with 2016 Gladstone (N.J.) Gill St. Bernard’s guard Tyus Battle, who visited Duke over the weekend and is strongly considering the Blue Devils along with several other schools. Thornton and Battle have discussed playing together in college.
Kennard told SNY.tv last week that he could play the point and had been told by the Duke staff to continue to work on his ball-handling.
Now he can play more of a scoring guard role and could play the point at times.
Duke had also been involved with Villanova transfer Dylan Ennis, who wants to play the point.
