Austin Rivers Diary: The Intro
Words. Austin Rivers
Although just a junior, Winter Park (Fla.) point guard Austin Rivers is the 5th-rated prospect in the HSH Top 50. He’s been verbally committed to Florida for over a year, but this fall, Rivers decided to open things up and let Duke recruit him as well, making his one of the most captivating recruiting stories in the country.
The younger son of Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers and younger brother of Indiana University PG Jeremiah Rivers, Austin has agreed to give HSH exclusive access by chronicling his thoughts in this bi-monthly diary where he’ll keep everyone updated on everything from his personal life to his high school season to his thoughts on Duke and Florida.
What’s up world! I’ve decided to keep my diary here on HSH to keep everyone updated on what’s going on with me.
Basically, we’re well into our high school season, and at this point we’re just trying to get all of our pieces on the same page and playing well together. Everything is going well for me in the season because my shot has really been falling. Most of you guys saw what happened at the City of Palms tournament because it was on TV. I kind of got in the zone and really I haven’t looked back since then. I had 45 points in one game at the City of Palms, and the best way to describe that was that it was a feeling of alternate energy. It’s like everyone’s just a step slower than you and you can’t see anybody. I didn’t care who was guarding me, my mindset was “I can’t see you!” The shots were falling, the basket was bigger and my eyes were getting wider. That’s pretty much what happened there.
I ended up winning the MVP award, and that was cool because I think I’m the first player to win that back-to-back. So now my goal is to win it for a third time when I play in it next year. That and to step up and win a championship. We won third-place the first year, second this year, and hopefully next year we can win it all.
Other than that, we’ve got some big games coming up this year. One game that everyone is talking about is our game against Brandon Knight (Pine Crest, Fla.). My Facebook has been blowing up with people asking me about this game because ESPN is showing it (Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. on ESPN 2) and everything like that. Basically, people want to see us go at it. We were teammates this summer and now people want to see us play against each other. I don’t look at it like this, but I know that people think this game will show who the best guard is in Florida.
We’ve got a great team and he’s got a great team, so it will be fun playing against him. You guys know Brandon, he’s amazing! It will definitely be fun playing against him, but I think we’ll get the W. I think we can beat them. I know Brandon is gonna come right out of the gate and try to put it on us, but I’m gonna be right there with him, too. I know that I’m gonna be guarding him a lot. I’m the most athletic on my team and he’s really athletic, obviously. I’ll be checking him, but I’ll take some breaks.
I’m sure for the fourth quarter we’ll probably be checking each other the entire quarter. I’m looking forward to that game for sure.
Other than that, our big goal is to win a state title. Last year we lost to Olympia. They had a lot of athletic players, but I think y’all will be seeing a state championship from us this year because I don’t think anyone can mess with us when we’re playing our best.
Just to touch on the recruiting part, because I know you guys want to hear about that, most know that I committed to Florida early. I just felt like that was the best place for me, then I went to visit Duke and I really got interested in them. It really opened my eyes to see that there are other things out there.
So basically right now I’m still committed to Florida, but I’m letting Duke recruit me because I like them a lot. It’s just those two schools. I’ve kind of put the recruiting stuff on the back burner for now with my season going on and all. I’m just playing basketball and not worrying about anything. I’ll pick it up more heavy when I start AAU, when things start to get crazy again.
I do keep in touch with the coaches. I just talk to them when I feel like I need a coach to talk to. I talked to Coach (Billy) Donovan when Chandler Parsons hit that full-court shot on N.C. State. Man, that shot was just ridiculous! I called Chandler and congratulated him after that. Then I talked to Coach K after their big win over Connecticut. So ya know, I just call them when I need to and they keep in touch with me as much as they can within the rules. I’ve gotta admit, it’s pretty cool to have both of those guys available to talk. I mean you’ve got Coach K obviously, then Coach Donovan…. They’re two of the greatest college coaches ever! It’s a real honor to have such great relationships with both of them.
I’m definitely looking to get to some games this year, too. My season has been so hectic that I haven’t even gotten a chance to go to any of my brother’s games at Indiana. I definitely plan on getting down there to see him play either Ohio State or Wisconsin. I want to support him because he just had the big win over Michigan! I also want to get out and see my dad.
So I want to do that and I’m also going to be going to see Florida play Kentucky, I think. Then I’ve definitely got to see Duke play North Carolina, and then when Duke plays Wake Forest, I’ll probably get out to see both of those. I really want to see that environment.
Well, that’s all I’ve got for now. Stay tuned for my next diary entry.
Cool post Austin. Good luck against BK, but I agree, I think you all will get the W.
Oh yeah, come to Duke!
DUKE is where its at
Do you think you love yourself enough?
Austin, I watched your game against Patterson,N.J. I was very impressed with your all around ball handling since they tried double teaming you and also how well you shot the ball, good luck and we hope to see you in Durham 2011.
Go Duke !!! WhOEVER IS s.d. King, sounds like sour grapes , the kid is only giving those interested in him what thet’re wanting to know, if you don’t like it don’t rerad it,ok.
Hey I’m a big fan. But to go to duke you’ll have to drop some of the attitude when your team isn’t doing so well. And pick up the Defense. All DUKIES can play D. Well for the most part you are the athletic JJ of the 2011 class. Keep up the good work………. Ps. Wouldn’t your jersey look good along side the banners???
Are you cocky enough? Give me a break. You are a gunner, of course you are going to get 45 sometimes. BK is twice the overall player you will ever be.
FLORIDA is where its at! billy os a heck of a guy/coach!
oh austin this is brandon from facebook.. from GSN.. i want to get out and see u play, i play for lake weir in ocala, florida. maybe we could talk if you go to the gator/kentucky game?
Visit W3Schools!
It’s all about the Gators!!
You could be the greatest Gator ever! Help to build the Gators tradition… Duke isn’t what they used to be… Go Gators!
Ignore the haters… They live to bring down the achievers, because the only way they’re happy is when everyone is miserable.
Great work, Austin. You have an amazing shot, keep up the good work!
Oh yeah… It’s all about DUKE! You’d be much more appreciated at Duke than in Gainesville!
I have degrees from both Universities. Florida is a football school. That will never change. Duke would be the best preparation for the NBA and life.
Rivers, Irving and Dawkins in the same backcourt? That’s a banner for sure. Austin’s a future pro, go and be coached by the legend selected to coach the best pros in the olympics. Coach K.
Yo austin your game is dope and I will def watch your guys game against Brandon. Good Luck the rest of your guys season. And I think that Duke is the school for you. Peace
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