Despite being projected to go as high as third in the NBA Draft, Duke commitment Shaun Livingston is still weighing his options, according to high school coach Chuck Buescher.
"I think he's very strongly considering going to Duke," Buescher told The Chronicle Wednesday. "I really do not know what he's doing, but I think it's no worse than 50/50, and I think it's better off than that."
Buescher also confirmed that Livingston, the nation's consensus No. 2 prep player, would be meeting with the Duke coaching staff later this month, and that Blue Devil fans could expect a decision shortly thereafter.
With ESPN.com's latest NBA Draft predictions pegging the star point guard at fourth in the draft and NBADraft.com projecting him at third, Livingston faces an intriguing dilemma: Should he honor his Duke commitment or bypass college for NBA riches?
Many, including Oak Hill Academy coach Steve Smith, have speculated the 6-foot-7 floor general would choose the latter.
Not so fast, however, according to Buescher and Livingston's grandfather, Frank Livingston.
"Everybody around here knows where I stand on that," said Frank Livingston, who has made it clear that he wants his grandson to attend Duke. "As far as I'm concerned, he's going to Duke University."
Livingston, who will go on spring break next week, has kept mum on his impending decision. In the past few months, Livingston led his Peoria Central team to its second consecutive state championship and was named co-MVP of prep all-star game EA Sports Roundball Classic, logging 12 points and seven assists, adding fuel to the speculation that he would go straight to the NBA.
Livingston, however, was unimpressive at last Wednesday's McDonald's All-American Game, totaling just one point and three assists as his West team suffered a 126-96 rout.
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