In a statement issued Friday afternoon, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said he is excited about Andre Dawkins' early entry into the Blue Devils' program.
"He is a very talented player and an excellent student," Krzyzewski said. "He worked hard throughout his high school career and this summer to put himself in this position. He will be an outstanding addition to the university and our basketball team."
As reported this morning by the News & Observer's Robbi Pickeral, Dawkins had been scheduled to join the Blue Devils in 2010. But he has completed the English 12 course necessary to enter Duke a year early and plug a glaring hole in Duke's backcourt.
Elliot Williams' unexpected transfer to Memphis had left Duke with only two true scholarship guards - Jon Scheyer and Nolan Smith. Dawkins, who made the all-star team at the prestigious NBA Players Association camp earlier this summer, was regarded as a top-25 player in the Class of 2010.
After playing as a freshman at Deep Creek High in Chesapeake, Va., he transferred across town to Atlantic Shores Christian Academy, where he repeated his freshman year. After realizing he had all the core credits required by the NCAA and realizing that he needed only to pass English 12 to graduate, Dawkins decided to forgo a fifth year of high school.
He averaged 20.5 points and 4.8 rebounds last season, leading his team to a 32-2 record.
Ken Tysiac
Friday, August 14, 2009
Krzyzewski 'excited' about Dawkins
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4 comments:
Count me in as being excited too. I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do.
I'm confused at how a kid that repeats the ninth grade can be considered an excellent student?
I understand he repeated the 9th grade to allow more time for him to improve his basketball skills not for academic reasons.
Correct, Henry. The same way Tyler Hansbrough's dad had him repeat a grade in elementary school so he'd always be the best athlete in his class.
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