Power forward Jon Brockman is down to a pair of possible college destinations.
Brockman, one of the Blue Devils’ top remaining targets in the class of 2005, eliminated UCLA as an option after taking his official visit to Duke last weekend. The Snohomish, Wash., native will now choose between head coach Mike Krzyzewski’s Blue Devils and the Washington Huskies.
“It’s 50-50 right now,” Brockman said Wednesday. “[Duke’s] got it going there, obviously, and Coach K is one of the most well-known and most successful coaches in basketball.”
Krzyzewski and the Blue Devils wowed Brockman on his visit, which included a trip to the bowling alley and a barbecue at Krzyzewski’s house Saturday. It was at that gathering that Krzyzewski made his pitch to the star power forward.
“We watched some tape of some former players,” Brockman said. “We just envisioned me being on one of those tapes someday.”
Brockman would be the fifth member of Duke’s recruiting class of 2005 should he commit to the Blue Devils. He would likely be the final piece of a large and important Blue Devil class that already includes point guard Greg Paulus, power forward Josh McRoberts, combination forward Jamal Boykin and center Eric Boateng. Brockman, however, would bring badly-needed physical play and versatility to Duke.
“He said that they have a lot of big guys, and they have a lot of guards, but they don’t really have anyone who can go in and out,” Brockman said.
One obvious disadvantage for Duke, however, is its location. Washington, Brockman’s hometown school, is much closer to home. The Huskies, on the other hand, have not enjoyed the success the Blue Devils have had in recent years.
Brockman will take an official visit to Washington Oct. 8, and many, including his coach, believe he will commit either to his hometown Huskies or the powerhouse Blue Devils shortly thereafter. Brockman, however, said that he does not have a timetable for his decision.
“I think I’m just going to go by how I’m feeling and I’m not really sure when I’ll know,” Brockman said.
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