NEW YORK — Entering the Jordan Brand Classic last week, Jayson Tatum, Harry Giles and Frank Jackson had never been in Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
The game gave the Duke-bound trio a glimpse at the arena where the ACC Tournament will be played for the next two years.
Tatum went for 18 points on 6-of-14 shooting with 8 rebounds in the East’s 131-117 victory over the West. Jackson played only 5 minutes in the became before he hit his head on the floor and was taken off with concussion-like symptoms. Giles watched from the bench for the East as he recovers from ACL surgery.
“I don’t think it hurts, being here before and being familiar,” Tatum told SNY.tv after the game. “It’s basketball, if you find a court I think you should always be able to play.”
“I guess it will help playing in the gym once getting used to it,” Giles said.
Asked if he was looking forward to playing the ACC Tournament in the building, Giles said, “Oh yeah, it’s an NBA arena, always. Always”
Both players said they expected to have family and friends following Duke North for the ACC event.
“My family always travels so I’m pretty sure they won’t miss that,” Tatum said.
“Oh yeah, I have people in New York, too,” Giles said.
Giles said he expects to be ready for the start of the season, meaning he would be on display for the Champions Classic on Nov. 15, where Duke is set to face Josh Jackson and Kansas while Kentucky meets Michigan State at Madison Sguare Garden.
“We play Kansas up here too so we’ll be at Madison Square,” Giles said.
The big man said his main goal is to help Duke — the likely preseason No. 1 — win a national championship.
“I’m trying to win a national championship, there’s no need for me to sugar coat anything or act like I’m not,” he said. “That’s my goal going in. I’m going to work hard and I’m willing to do anything to get it.”
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