Austin Rivers Diary: Planning UNC, UCLA, Kansas visits
Words. Austin Rivers
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, Texas, UCLA 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:
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What’s up world! The biggest thing that’s happened lately is that we went 4-0 at the second session of the Elite Youth Basketball League in Houston last weekend. We really played well out there.
I didn’t need to score 30 and 40 points a game because all of our guys were really playing well and hitting shots. I averaged about 20 points a game for the weekend, but I was getting a lot of assists and finding the open man. It was a lot of fun. Of course after the games I have to do a lot of interviews. Most of the questions were the same, but I don’t mind answering them. They mostly ask about recruiting and what visits I have coming up and things like that.
I’m headed to Los Angeles this weekend for session three of the EYBL. I know I’m gonna be going against a lot of good players out there and I’m definitely ready!
My dad’s team is doing really well. Last time I told you guys that I was gonna be going to see them play against Cleveland and of course they won that series. The atmosphere was great! Hopefully we’ll beat Orlando and get going to the next series and try to win another championship.
As far as my recruiting, I had originally planned to visit UCLA while I was in L.A., but I have to get back because I have exams. If the Celtics get to the next round and play the Lakers, I’ll probably take a visit while I’m out there watching the game. Either way, I’ll definitely visit UCLA at some point this summer. Same for North Carolina. I know a lot of people want to know when I’m headed there, but I haven’t set a date yet. I’ve just been real busy lately, but I’m definitely gonna get there. They’re one of those schools that you have to visit if you’re a player, like Duke and Kansas and all those schools. You’ve got to see what it’s like there.
I only get five official visits so I want to definitely go back to Duke. I’ve got to go to UCLA, Kansas, North Carolina and Florida, too. It doesn’t really matter to me what school I visit last or the order I visit schools. That stuff doesn’t matter to me at all. Whatever is best for me is what I’ll go with. That’s it. I do want to get my visits out of the way before August because I’m still planning on having a decision at some point in August. That’s my plan.
I still keep in touch with Coach K at Duke and Coach (Billy) Donovan at Florida. I haven’t talked to Coach (Roy) Williams at North Carolina, but he’s talked to my coach a few times. It’s cool just to talk to those guys. I like that they’re not very pushy at all. We don’t only talk about recruiting and why I need to come to their school, we also talk about life and what’s going on with the world. It’s really interesting.
I hear a lot of different things from the different schools. Some of them tell me how I can fit into their program, of course, and how they can see me being an All-Star and how they can see me having the same impact that Tim Tebow had in football. I hear a lot of stuff, and I really enjoy talking to those coaches.
I don’t really talk to any of the players at the schools that are recruiting me besides Kyrie Irving at Duke. I don’t really know the players at the other schools. But Kyrie and I talk about everyday things like when he’s going to Duke and what’s going on with him. We’re pretty tight.
Other than that, I’m just focusing on winning with my team this summer and getting better every game. Thanks for reading everyone! I appreciate it. Check back for my next diary.
Cameron Indoor Stadium is the Mecca of College basketball. And a River(s) runs through it…hopefully.
I agree david, Austin would have the crazies going nuts
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN RIVERS……wider than a mile, I’m crossing you in style, some day. Oh dream maker, you heart breaker, whereever you’re going, I’m going your way. Old schoolers remember Andy Williams, not Roy Williams singing it, although it does mention my “Huckleberry” friend. And at last, we’re after the same rainbow’s end, waitin’ round the bend…..Coach K and DUKE UNIVERSITY.
This young man is going to special at Duke.
Imagine a backcourt of Irving, Rivers and Curry. We could play two cheerleaders at forward and still win most games.
Honestly, Irving isn’t staying more than one year at Duke. It would be a Curry, Rivers backcourt.
They are already playing two cheerleaders at forward- they are called the Plumlee brothers.
AR stop all the window dressing and just go ahead and make the final call. Ray Charles can see where this is headed!
Great Tarheel teams have great guards. While he might look nice in Dark Blue, he could be remembered with the greats in CAROLINA BLUE.
Come join the team that you will make a difference on.