Austin Rivers Diary: Championship Week & Big Decisions
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 regular 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.
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What’s up world! Sorry for the delay, but it’s been hectic with all of the state tournament stuff. But I do have good news — we won!
We just won it recently. We beat Dr. Phillips (76-57), a pretty decent team. They were a lot smaller than us, but they were pretty scrappy.
We just put it on ‘em in the second half. We were only up two in the first half, then everybody started stepping up. This was the first state title in our school’s history, so it felt great. It’s a relief because I think it’s important to win and not just to be a good player, ya know?
That’s what makes great players great. You can’t just be a great scorer, a great passer, a great rebounder … That’s not what I wanted to be in high school. I want to be a great player, and the only way to do that is to win. So to win the state title was REALLY big for me.
It’s crazy down here. Everyone is really excited about us winning. We might be doing a parade. We may be doing something with the Governor. Man it’s all gonna be crazy!
Now the season is over and this is actually the best time of the year because you get to work on your game and kind of relax before the AAU season kicks off.
The other thing that I’ve got to start thinking about more seriously is what college I’ll be going to. It’s a very hard decision. Of course you guys know that it’s between Duke and Florida. I’m gonna get things going with my AAU team and by the time school starts next year, I’ll be solidly committed to a school.
I plan on taking an official visit to Florida first, and then Duke this summer for sure. Like I said, it’s gonna be tough to decide between those two quality schools.
I definitely keep in touch with Coach (Billy) Donovan and Coach (Mike) Krzyzewski regularly. I talked to Coach Donovan a few days ago. Actually, Coach K called me after I won my state title, but I missed the call. I need to call him back now that I think about it. I’m gonna do that … But I thought that was really cool because he had just got finished smashing North Carolina and he took out the time to call me.
That’s the only reason I wasn’t there for the Duke/UNC game, by the way: That game was the same night as our state title game. It looks like it worked out good for both of us, but I wish I could’ve been there. I ended up missing the game altogether.
For now, I’m really ready for the AAU season. We’re gonna be straight! We’ve got Trevor Lacey playing with us, Darius Perkins… We’ve got a 7-footer. Yeah, we’re gonna be straight! We’re going to the Boo Williams tournament first, then we’re headed to the Nike Memorial tournament. I’m also doing the Junior Olympics this spring in San Antonio. So I’ll probably be busy all throughout the summer and the spring.
Well, that’s all I’ve got for now. Check back later for my next entry. Until next time…
You’re a great player, Austin. I hope you come to Duke.
Stay home and play 4 florida, u and KB!! It would b a crucial back court, and put florida back on the map!!
Don’t forget to tell Coach K. that you have decided to stick with UF when you call him back
Congrats on last weekend Austin, we need you at UF!!!!
You never know when Billy Donovan might flee for the pros, or when his team might not qualify for the NCAA Tournament. Even with all the talent he’s got, his squad struggled all season long safe for a few last-second heaves.
Then there’s Duke. The model of consistency and excellence, albeit one that has been missing a gamechanger since 2005. Between you, Kyrie Irving, Quincy Miller, et. al., that will all be very different.
And you’ll be more than just a great player. You’ll be a winner.
Austin, you need to come be a part of greatness at an elite basketball school like Duke, not a school where their first love is football. With you Irving and Curry starting in the backcourt, Duke could have one of the best backcourts in decades. If you enjoyed winning a title in high school, just imagine winning one at a school like Duke.
I’ll be pulling for you wherever you decide to go to college. BOL
Congratulations, Austin! Keep up the good work. Hope to see you in Duke blue someday.
Congratulations on the state tournament. Hope you will be joining the talented Duke classe to help bring home a title!
Your diary post pretty much sums it up … Great players want to play on the biggest stage with great team mates against the best competition… Duke offers that and much more.
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Don’t let the Florida fans pressure you. Choose the school that you think you fit with the best. Good luck.
Austin i think your a smart guy, so decommiting from florida is your best decision. Florida might have one player coming in but i think you like winning and being on tv and getting your name out florida will not do that listen to your dad and go to duke.
Is this why Florida had 2 players in the All-Star game this year, and Duke had zero? Because Duke gives you more exposure??
Look, Austin is choosing between 2 quality programs. Florida has 2 championships in the last 10 years, and 3 Final Four appearances in the last 10 years. Florida’s program under Billy Donovan is as capable as any program. Im tired of these arrogant Duke homers.
Duke is a quality school, but there’s no need to trash another good program just because you’re favorite HS target also likes that school. There’s a reason he likes that school. Let Austin make the decision that’s best for him.
If Brandon Knight commits to Florida, I think AR will switch to Duke. If Knight commits elsewhere, I think AR will remain a Gator. That’s just my opinion, but we’ll see. He’ll have a great career @ either school.
All star games? who cares? Florida is garbage. The “reason” for AR’s interest in Florida is that it’s down the street. Other than that….what? Rivers is big time, from pro stock, he belongs on the big stage. Sorry, Gators, it’s over, order has been restored and like AR has said himself, “Duke has definitely got their swagger back.”
austin=duke winning a championship with u we have it especially with the class we have coming in beal is nothing compared to irving
AUSTIN COME TO CAMERON AND JOIN YOUR BOY KIRV AND OTHER GREAT RECRUITS AND PLAYERS THE DEVILS AND K KEEP STACKING UP ON!!!! WE’LL KEEP SENDING GATORS OUR DUKE WAANA BE-S LIKE KBOYNTON WHO ACCOMPLISHED NOTHING AGAIN THIS SEASON. YOU KNOW YOU LOVE DUKE MORE BILLY D. WILL GET OVER IT HE KNOWS YOU NEED K AND SO DOES YOUR DAD DOC WHO ALSO REALIZES K AND DUKE WILL BE BEST FOR YOU. COME ON A.R. YOU REAALY LOVE DUKE AND WE LOVE. GOD BLESS AND GOOD LUCK WITH WHATEVER YOU DECIDE. PLUS YOUR DAD WILL GET TO SEE 100% OF YOUR GAMES AT DUKE EXCEPT WHEN HE’S COACHING CELTICS.
Austin, I have nothing bad to say about Coach Donovan and his program, but do you really want to go to a school where even if you win 4 NCAA titles the basketball team is always going to be second behind the football team?
Hey Austin
Congrats on your state title, your doing big things.
Your a great player, and like you said, the only way to do that is to win.
Come on up to Durham and win some titles. We are all dying to have you wearing blue and white.
Florida is a football school. Come to Duke, Austin.
The Dookies are really pathetic, Austin. It’s pretty easy to see from their pandering posts. Pathetic pandering posts. Go to the place that feels right to you.
Dude drop these zeroes and come play with the heroes at kentucky. YOu playin with the top players of 2011.