Duke’s Coach K shows up in Atlanta to welcome back Tony Parker from UCLA visit (UPDATED)
Loading ...Tony Parker had a special visitor waiting for him when he returned from his official visit to UCLA.
It was Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski.
Coach K made a personal appearance at Miller Grove High School on Monday for the second time in two weeks to visit with Parker, the 6-foot-9, 270-pound power forward who is ranked among the nation’s top 25 overall college prospects.
“Coach Krzyzewski just reaffirmed that he’d like have Tony in a Duke uniform,” Miller Grove coach Sharman White told the AJC. “Colleges are allowed to see a player three times in the NCAA contact period. [Krzyzewski] said he rarely uses all three of them but he did with Tony because he’s a top priority.”
It was just another day in recruiting for Parker, who has taken recruiting trips to Ohio State and UCLA within the last month, and will travel to Duke on Oct. 28. Parker has also made an unofficial visit to Georgia Tech.
“It was great to see Coach K; he has been recruiting me since the ninth grade,” Parker said. “He’s one of the most powerful names in college basketball, and I appreciate him visiting with me and my parents.”
Coach K stayed for nearly three hours. What did they talk about? “Not much basketball,” Parker said. “We just talk about life and things like that. We’ve developed a pretty good friendship.”
Parker took an official visit to UCLA over the weekend and paused when asked to rate it on a scale of 1-10. (Note: He gave Ohio State a “10”).
“It’s really hard to say,” Parker said. “Whenever you go on a visit, they really roll out the red carpet for you. You can’t help but love it. Every school is a 10 on your visit. UCLA was a lot of fun. It’s in LA, great weather, and a lot of history with that basketball program.”
Tony Parker returns from his official visit to UCLA and is greeted by Coach K (AJC photo)
UCLA also has another big factor in its favor – the Bruins hired Korey McCray, Parker’s longtime AAU coach with the Atlanta Celtics, as an assistant over the summer. Jordan Adams, who played with Parker on the Celtics, has already committed to UCLA.
“I’ve known Jordan for a long time, and it does affect my feelings about UCLA a little bit. It helps them. But ultimately I’ve got to make the decision that is best for me.”
What about the presence of McCray? “He’s a great guy. He was my AAU coach and I enjoyed playing under him. I think that was a great hire for UCLA and he will do great things there.”
Will one of those things be landing his commitment for the Bruins? “It’s great to have a Coach McCray there. He really is a good guy. I know there are rumors that I’m going to sign there only because he’s there but that’s not true. He would be one of the reasons to go there, if I pick UCLA … but right now, all the schools are even.”
Parker still has Memphis and Georgetown in his top five but has yet to set up an official visit to either school, while Kansas is making a late charge. Kansas coach Bill Self stopped by Miller Grove last week.
Parker said he was unsure if he would make an official visit to Kansas or anywhere else, other than Duke later this month. He is also undecided if he will sign in November’s early period.
- CORRECTION: Parker confirmed on Monday night that he is still considering Memphis and Georgetown in his top five. Parker has not scheduled an official visit to either school yet but said they are among his favorites.
BIG STORIES OF THE DAY
- Vanderbilt (yes, Vanderbilt) is recruiting Atlanta in a way that would make Lane Kiffin proud. Vanderbilt’s coach cruised to a pair of high school games on Friday in a helicopter (click on story link)
- Will OL Brandon Kublanow commit to UGA after getting his “dream offer” this weekend? (click on story link)
- Steve Spurrier gets commitment from Columbia HS defensive end Jhaustin Thomas (click on story link)
- Twin sons of ex-NBA point guard Mookie Blaylock are headed to Kentucky — but to play football (click on story link)
– By Michael Carvell, AJC Recruiting Blog
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19 comments Add your comment
what are you afraid of?.....
October 3rd, 2011
4:52 pm
Coach K? What a sleaze…Parker, blow em all away and stay in state. The future is now at UGA.
If your talent is that good your dreams can be realized staying here.
Steve
October 3rd, 2011
5:17 pm
No, Krzyzewski doesn’t get everyone he wants…bending a kid’s ear for three hours when he gets off a plane won’t help.
Parker will be a BRUIN.
3rd Comment
October 3rd, 2011
5:41 pm
@Steve, I’m not saying that Parker will be a Blue Devil, but it is kind of looking that way. If Parker was really in love with UCLA or OSU he would have committed soon after. Tony has already seen the campus at Duke anyway, so it’s not like he’s waiting for that opportunity. On top of that, a third visit from K might mean a lot more to Parker than it does to you. You still never know, just look at Mcgary right now.
ormewood
October 3rd, 2011
6:36 pm
K is putting the full court press on, that’s for sure. Very unusual for him to personally make this many visits. Typically, Wojo and Chris Collins are the ones that make the multiple visits.
Worm
October 3rd, 2011
8:24 pm
How many visits does he get?..Chris Collins is the Coach in waiting.
FormerCoach1
October 3rd, 2011
8:44 pm
Hope Sharman is learning loyalty and how to take care of his people like Coach K does.
Paul in NH (formerly RDU)
October 3rd, 2011
10:12 pm
Wow – K must really want Parker.
GTECH
October 3rd, 2011
10:48 pm
@FormerCoach1, why do you say that?
'12 GA PF Tony Parker (Official Offer) - Page 4 - BuckeyePlanet Ohio State Forums
October 3rd, 2011
11:21 pm
[...] Duke?s Coach K shows up in Atlanta to welcome back Tony Parker from UCLA visit October 3, 2011, by Michael Carvell
Kentucky Fan says...
October 3rd, 2011
11:56 pm
Go to Duke because if you do your freshman year you will get to play against UK in Phillips Arena in the Champions Classic. This year it’s in NYC with UK vs Kansas and Duke vs Michigan St. Next year in Atlanta it’s UK vs duke and kansas vs Mich St. The year after it’s in Chicago with UK vs Mich St and duke vs kansas. Thing I can’t figure out is it’s called the Champions classic but UK is the last the team on the logo for event but we have more Titles than any of the other schools in the event. Don’t matter cuz we going to be NASTY this year!
F.S.U. Fan
October 4th, 2011
12:49 am
Greenville High School has to brothers Jamil (11th grade) and Jamal (9th grade)both are superstars they play AAU with LaGrange Wolverine in LaGrange Ga keep your eyes on them,start recruiting early.They will put Greenville High back in the playoffs.
'12 C Tony Parker (Official Offer) - Page 8 - ScarletBuckeye - Ohio State Forums
October 4th, 2011
12:53 am
[...] [...]
marcus
October 4th, 2011
6:14 am
coach k is hoping this kid has elton brand written all over him. he wants him because he would probably stay at least 3 years, in that he needs work.
marcus
October 4th, 2011
6:17 am
he won’t get him because the deal has been made, can anybody spell brentwood? does beasley to kansas state and wall to kentucky ring a bell?
ACC Morning Five: 10.04.11 Edition « Rush The Court
October 4th, 2011
8:01 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution: Mike Krzyzewski has his nose to the grindstone recruiting Atlanta native Tony Parker, showing up to meet the senior after he returned from his official visit to UCLA. Parker is a 6’9″ power forward that Krzyzewski has been recruiting since the ninth grade. As to his relationship with Coach K, Parker said, “We just talk about life and things like that. We’ve developed a pretty good friendship.” That sounds like good news for the Blue Devils, who certainly could use some more bulk up front. [...]
ACC Morning Five: 10.04.11 Edition
October 4th, 2011
11:43 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution: Mike Krzyzewski has his nose to the grindstone recruiting Atlanta native Tony Parker, showing up to meet the senior after he returned from his official visit to UCLA. Parker is a 6’9″ power forward that Krzyzewski has been recruiting since the ninth grade. As to his relationship with Coach K, Parker said, “We just talk about life and things like that. We’ve developed a pretty good friendship.” That sounds like good news for the Blue Devils, who certainly could use some more bulk up front. [...]
Duke Reigns
October 4th, 2011
2:53 pm
“Coach K? What a sleaze”
Big words coming from a Georgia Bulldyke fan. Tell me you little moron, what have the nobody’s from uga done in basketball? yeah exactly, now shut your pie hole and go back to huntin’ and fishin’……..redneck.
mike perry
October 4th, 2011
4:37 pm
If the kid”Parker” is as smart as he seems he will go to the top program in the country.That is Duke of course.He will get the instruction and defensive coaching he needs to play in the NBA.That is the final goal isn’t it.Stick with Coach K and go all the way.
Skeezix
October 4th, 2011
9:12 pm
Tony Parker: If you have an opportunity to go to a one of the best academic institutions in our country and then also get to learn from one of the greatest coaches of all time (in any sport) — you go. By the way, one more benefit–you will have a real shot at winning an NCAA title.