COACH K TARGETS FIRST-EVER JUCO KID (MU Target as well)

[77ncaachamps]

From Fox's Goodman:

Mike Krzyzewski has never recruited a junior college player – until Carrick Felix.

"He's a trailblazer," Southern Idaho coach Steve Gosar said of the athletic 6-foot-6 Felix.

The story goes like this, according to Gosar. Duke assistant Nate James was up to watch 7-footer Aziz Ndiaye, who is out for the season following a torn ACL in May, go through an individual workout.

James loved Felix, an Arizona native who broke his wrist just three games into last season, and Duke began its recruitment by requesting virtually every game tape in which Felix played last year and this season.

Then Coach K called and let Gosar know that a scholarship was on the table.

"He's really long and athletic and can put it on the deck," Gosar said. "He's a good defender and has great timing as a shot-blocker."

Gosar said that Felix, who is averaging 15 points and five rebounds per game this season and will have three years of eligibility left in the Division I ranks, dispels many of the stereotypes that go along with junior college players.

"Aziz and Carrick aren't your typical junior college guys," he said. "They bust their butts in class and are as good a kids as you'll find."

Gosar said that Arizona State head coach Herb Sendek was at the school to watch Felix today – and that schools such as Colorado, New Mexico State, Idaho, Kent State and Marquette are all in the mix.

Gosar said that Felix intends to visit Duke after CSI's season ends.

"From what I've been told, Duke is trying to play more up-tempo, and they need guys that can get up and down," Gosar said. "That's exactly what Carrick does well."

Gosar said that Ndiaye, who will sit out the rest of the season, has already visited Oklahoma and will visit Washington this weekend. Kansas is also trying to set something up in early March. Ndiaye also visited Oregon State and Loyola Marymount last fall.

"He's a next level guy," Gosar said. "No question in my mind."

http://community.foxsports.com/goodmanonfox/blog/2010/02/16/coach_k_targets_first-ever_juco_kid

- DUKE Forum thread on Felix: http://www.dukebasketballreport.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18566

- The reason why Duke recruited him? Jordan-like...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqDpO8AG4rE

[Thomas' Danish Delight]

Heh...well, technically he's already a Golden Eagle