As Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski coaches his last home game on March 5, against North Carolina, one Westchester native will be among Coach K’s players. Duke freshman AJ Griffin is already making an impact on the team, last month hitting a game winning 3-point shot against Louisville.
During the press conference after the game, Coach K praised Griffin, who played his Westchester high school basketball at Stepinac. “How many 74 year old guys get to do this with an 18 year old? He (Griffin) is our best shooter and one of the purest shooters in the country,” said Coach K. “He is a rising star, and all of our guys realize that. He’s never nervous.”
Griffin said he is very comfortable taking the big shot for Duke because of “having the confidence from my coaches and teammates. You can’t get too high or too low, enjoy all glory to God in helping me stay mentally strong.
“What AJ has brought to our program a great belief in God. Because of him, the team has started a Bible study, and it’s because of him. He asked the guys to do it. He’s not nervous, he has it together more than most of us and I’m proud of him for it.”
Coach K said that the Duke program, “is bigger than any one person.” Griffin’s success has been so great at Duke in his freshman year that he is projected to be an NBA top 6 draft choice if he decides to leave Duke after this year. He could be the #1 pick if he stays another year.
Look for Coach K and AJ Griffin to make some noise in the upcoming March Madness.
