Austin Rivers Diary: LeBron Mania and One-and-Done
Words. Austin Rivers
photo. Bruce Jacks
Going into his senior year, Winter Park (Fla.) point guard Austin Rivers is the 2nd-rated prospect in the HSH Top 50. Previously committed to Florida, Rivers recently de-committed, and now Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky and Kansas are giving chase, making his one of the most captivating recruiting stories in the country.
The younger son of Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers, Austin has agreed to give HSH exclusive access by chronicling his thoughts in this regular diary where he’ll keep everyone updated on everything from his personal life to his AAU season to his recruiting process:
*** *** ***
What’s up world! I know it’s been a little while, but this summer has been so hectic. Let me start with LeBron’s announcement! Wow! I mean, wow!
My dad had actually told me for a while it was gonna be Miami, but I didn’t believe him. I thought he was going to Chicago… Now I owe my dad 100 push-ups. That’s gonna be crazy! Miami games are gonna be sold out every night. Can you imagine how much those tickets will cost! Whew!
Anyway, I wish him all the best.
Now about what’s been up with me. Well, I helped the USA U18 team win the gold medal recently. It was a great experience. I didn’t know what to expect at first. We started with tryouts, which was something new for me. I just put my all into it and made the team, and right after that we went right into it with two-a-days for about 2.5 hours each practice.
It was just crazy to work so hard alongside great players like Kyrie Irving, Quincy Miller and Patric Young day in and day out. We gelled together really well and blew everyone out. Then in the championship game against Brazil, we got a real test. But our coach (Oklahoma’s Jeff Capel) pulled everyone together at the end and we ended up winning a gold medal!
It was cool to be a key contributor on a team with all of those upperclassmen. I felt like it was important for me to show what I could do the first couple of days that I was there. We all know what each other can do, but you’ve got to prove it every time.
My teammates were really the ones who gave me the respect to say, “You’re gonna be our go-to guy.” They really gave me and Kyrie the respect to have the ball in crunch time and we really stepped up and contributed to the team in a big way.
Of course, being there for 17 days meant we had a lot of downtime to just bug out and stuff like that. The weirdest dude on the team was definitely Patric Young. I mean that in a good way. This dude just walks around with his shirt on his head, muscles out and being a bully. In a funny way, though, but he’s just hilarious. Then you’ve got Kyrie … He’s just a clown. I don’t think people expect him to be as funny as he is.
Then the big story at the U18 games was me rocking my Duke gear… LOL… That’s pretty funny. It’s like this: When I went to Duke, I went to their team store and loaded up. I mean that store is just real cool. It’s got a lot of nice stuff in there. So when we won I decided to rock my Duke gear! I didn’t think it would be a huge story like it was, but hey, what can I say? I like wearing basketball shorts and T-shirts.
Since I was with my boy Kyrie the whole time we definitely talked about Duke, but not a lot. He didn’t lay it on too thick. All anyone ever talks about with us is basketball, basketball, basketball. So we kinda just talked about normal things and had a good time together.
But we definitely talked about playing together. I know that he wants to play with me and I definitely would love to play with him. I talked to him about the likelihood of him being there if I came, because you look at the mock drafts and he’s somewhere around a top-five pick! I know, I know it’s just a mock draft, but usually they’re pretty accurate. He kept telling me he wanted to play with me. With a player as great as he is, you just never know if he’ll be there. We’ll see what happens, though; Duke has a lot of really good pieces.
I want to hold off and watch him play next year a little before I decide. I want to see other players develop, too. Not just at Duke. You’ve got North Carolina. I want to see if Harrison Barnes stays, too. There’s a lot I want to take a look at with this decision.
Obviously, that means I won’t be deciding in August like I said before. Sorry about that, guys. I just want to make this the best decision for me and having gone through this once already I have to KNOW it’s the right thing for me. I don’t want any fans to read into this any kind of way. Nothing has changed with me other than time. I just know that I need to take my time with this one. Just look at it like I’m being thorough and making sure I’ll be happy, but don’t read into it deeper.
It’s really just me being thorough. I won’t go as far as Doron Lamb or Josh Selby. Those guys waited until the last second to decide. I’m thinking after about a month into the college basketball season is when I’ll decide. Maybe sometime in December, I’m thinking. That will give me time to see how guys are playing and see who looks like they’ll be around when I’m there and who won’t. That won’t be the only factor in my decision, but it will be a factor for sure.
So with all this time, I can get a chance to do my visits. I think I’m gonna set up visits for the beginning of my high school year. Not when basketball starts, but when school starts. I want to visit Duke, North Carolina and Florida, and Kentucky and Kansas may get into the mix as well. I plan on visiting all five schools before I decide, and of course I’ll be posting diary entries after each visit so stay tuned…
It’s a very important decision, as you could imagine, because I want to win a championship in college. You look at a guy like Michael Jordan who won a ton of NBA titles; he still talks about his college title, too. That’s just how big it is to win that. I will do everything I can to win a title in college. That’s why I want to go to the best situation that will allow me to do that. I would love to be a one-and-done. I think that’s every kid’s goal whether he admits it or not. But my ultimate goal is to go at the right time. If that’s after one year then so be it. If it’s two years then that’s fine too. I’m in no rush. The reason I say after one year is because that would mean that I was playing to my maximum potential and that’s always my goal when I step on the court.
My criteria for leaving early would be being a top-10 pick. I think I can be a lottery pick for sure because I work SO hard and I put in the time to get better.
If it’s God’s will I’ll be able to be reach all of these goals, but if He wants a different path for me, that’s fine too. I’m perfectly fine with that because I’ll be at a great college. Other than that I still keep in touch with Coach K and all of the other coaches, but I haven’t talked to them in a while. I plan on calling them and talking to them before I go to Peach Jam.
Well, that’s all I’ve got for now. As always thanks for reading and check back later for my next entry. Drop me a comment too!
Keep up the good work. There were some great things written about your performance for the USA U18 team. Sounds like you a Kyrie formed a very formiable back court when playing together.
All coaches not coaching at Duke and forget about this Rivers. I wish him all the best but like so many others before him, he is just stringing this process out even though he knows he will be going to Duke. Go Luck with your future in BBall.
Wow, i am shocked at how arrogant this kid appears to be. I can’t believe that this is Doc’s kid! He kinda sounds like he’s doing a LBJ by holding out on his decision. I guarantee that he’s going to try to one up Harrison Barnes with his selection. It is so clear that he is going to be a Dookie. Why is he playing around on his blog? He’s jerkin’ all of the other schools. He says he wants to see what HB is going to do at UNC. Then he foolishly announces that he wants to be a one and done. Somebody please call Doc and tell him to reign in his kid. UNC doesn’t need a primadonna. Duke can have him.
You are an idiot tarhole, you wanna talk arrogance? what did barnes do? yeah, the pathetic skype thing and now he thinks he’s the next Lebron? lmao, how sad. He’s a one and done and he’ll be a bench warmer (like most tarholes) in the NBA.
Rivers is Duke material, he has talent and brains, something not required at the university of no class.
NIT boy, NIT
AMEN! Arrogance is SO much different than CONFIDENCE and that’s what Austin possesses. He is obviously aware of his talent and wants to go to a place where he will become an EVEN more outstanding player. TARHOLEKILLER is absolutely right about Rivers having the talent and the brains!
Man your game is so perfect for coach Roy and unc. Come take us to the top! Being a unc legend is a big deal unlike any other college program! Go put on that Carolina blue and light up the dean dome
The college B-ball season is SO CRAZY. I don’t think there is any situation that constitutes ideal. With the 64 team madness, John Wall & the LOADED Cats didnt even see the Final Four this year. Coach K is awesome & so is Cameron, but his guards never develop to superstar potential (& I know you wouldnt hurt yourself like Jay Williams lol). I like the Gators & their school atmosphere year ’round. But if I was as talented as you, I’d choose SEC; athletes are better on the defensive end (overall). I really think the ACC produces too many similar player types, you’d have 20 from the 2 guard spot easy.
Great ballers comin up in Gainesville
… but enjoy your summer & hopefully I can catch you in action your last prep year…. KEEP BAOLLIN
Hey Austin, great entry im a big fan of your’s from Los Angeles and seen alot of your videos and you are one of the best players in the country as far as I think. I think you should take time to think about the college your going to attend but i would root for you to go to Duke University because Im a devils fan “). But like I said your around my age Im 16 and if I was you I would take time to think about your decision. Have a fun Senior Year and enjoy life in the moment because you only get to live this once in a life time. Well thanks for letting me comment on your entry and I hope you stay healthy as you continue your basketball dreams, ohh yea big fan of your dad’s and Go Duke!!!!!
come to the national champssss, not the nit runner upss
Austin, do you want to win national titles or play for the NIT title? It’s as simple as that, do you want to win it all or get beat by teams like college of Charleston? You wanna play for pathetic, band wagon cry baby fans like those in crapolina? or do you want the smartest most loyal in the country? (Duke).
You belong at Duke, I want to see you put a beat down on that arrogant punk barnes. You + Irving = at least 2 national titles (couple that with the Plumlees, Adams, Curry, Dawkins and maybe 3 titles!).
Go Duke!
2010 National Champs
2010 national jokes and nit losers: the tarholes!
Rivers….Beal…..Young with Billy D !!!!!
Team basketball at its finest. Make yourself a name at UF. The Sunshine State coaches are hoping you stay at home where you have taken hoops to a new level.
Hey! I’m a big fan. I think you got skills, and potential to do great. I’m gonna be a senior this year as well, and i know there is stress. I also know that whatever you decide to do, you will do great. I wish you the best. Good Luck and keep making basketball fun to watch.
I’M A DIEHARD UNC FAN AND THINK YOU AND KENDALL/DREW(More KM bc of his sensational instinks and feel for the gm) WOULD MAKE ONE HECK OF A BACKOURT!
At the end of the day like u said, take ya time b thorough and do whats best for “AUSTIN”!
Last but not least, have no regrets….bc u don’t owe anyone an apology in making a decision on whats best foe austin!
Good luck kid, and have fun with the whole process and your senior year!
“I’M A DIEHARD UNC FAN AND THINK YOU AND KENDALL/DREW(More KM bc of his sensational instinks and feel for the gm) WOULD MAKE ONE HECK OF A BACKOURT!”
What? what crap have you written? you’re post definitely shows your a tarhole fan. Dude, learn proper grammar.
And I’d never admit “I’M A DIEHARD UNC FAN…”, that’s like saying “uh dur, I molest goats, hu hu, dur”.
Sad.
I know i mispelled instints,instinks…..somebody help me with the correct spelling???
I hope this is not the forshawdow of anything! LOL!!!
It’s good that you have a sense of humor man.
I think the word you wer going for was instincts.
I agree that Austin Rivers has sensational instincts and a great feel for the game.
He’s an athlete and has been around the game watching his father Doc Rivers play and coach.
AR’s basketball IQ is more advanced than many players currently in the League now but with a great competitive team, he can take his game to another level and make all the teammates around him play at a higher level of basketball.
I hope you’re looking forward to college life at Duke, meeting top students from around the whole world and developing into a leader, a mature athlete, and your own man.
I was really encouraged by:
“If it’s God’s will I’ll be able to be reach all of these goals, but if He wants a different path for me, that’s fine too. I’m perfectly fine with that because I’ll be at a great college.”
Proverbs 3:4-5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart…
Enjoy the journey Austin Rivers. God bless you and your loved ones.
You and ya All American boys control not only your destinies but those of college ball as a whole. All you gotta do is get three other top 50 players to go to the same school. You guys could pick University of Akron. (Then maybe Dan Gilbert could stop showing his true colors).
Do ya thang man!
He’s coming to UK. If he wants to win a national championship we’ll have a loaded team so he’ll be the one that wins it for us. If he wants to be 1 and done UK’s the best place to do that too.
“He’s coming to UK. If he wants to win a national championship we’ll have a loaded team so he’ll be the one that wins it for us. If he wants to be 1 and done UK’s the best place to do that too.”
LMAO, uh no he’s not going to Kensucky, he’s Duke bound. You say if he wants to win national championships we’ll be loaded??? wasn’t sUKs loaded last year? what happened? oh that’s right they got molested by WVA, which then got beat by a superior team: DUKE.
The only thing he’ll get from sUKs is being part of the most corrupt, NCAA violating school in the country. Wow, that’s the dream of most kids huh? Just today it’s reported that Bledsoe is now under the gun for lying about his high school grades.
Austin is a Dukie, mark it.