Ferry has now secured verbals for a PG & SG, I now think he needs to get a Soko type player who can block shots, chase down rebounds, lead the fast break, beat his man off the dribble, make free throws, take it outside as well as hitting the mid range jump shot, and strong offensive put backs.

On the target list these three guys below look to fit the bill. Fulkerson, Konate, Ekiyor appear to have eliminated DU from their final list. 

http://verbalcommits.com/players/nathan-knight

http://verbalcommits.com/players/cyril-langevine

http://verbalcommits.com/players/isiaha-mike
 

FYI about Mike Lewis, II.  Sounds like his head is screwed on petty well!! From Craig Meyer at the PPG2016 G Mike Lewis discusses his commitment to DuquesneWritten by Craig Meyer on Monday, 14 September 2015 11:00 am.(Photo: STL Today)Last week, Duquesne secured its second pledge of the 2016 recruiting class, landing a verbal commitment from Chaminade (St. Louis) guard Mike Lewis.I caught up with Lewis a few days ago to discuss his commitment and what ultimately sold him on Duquesne. He also held offers from Illinois-Chicago, Central Michigan and Illinois State, among others, and was receiving interest from Saint Louis and Xavier.Below is a transcript of our conversation, but, before we get going, some background. If you look at Lewis' stats, they aren't exactly overwhelming, but there's a reason for that -- he plays on a loaded high school team and a powerhouse program that last season featured four Division I prospects, including Lewis. Among those players was forward Jayson Tatum, a 6-foot-8 Duke commit who Scout.com ranks as the No. 3 player in the 2016 class. Why Duquesne and why now? What really compelled you to pick them?"I just felt really comfortable with their coaching staff. They had everything. They have the right coach and all the facilities."With Jim Ferry's background, being someone whose offense is obviously pretty guard friendly, was that something else that kind of sold you?"Of course. As a guard coming from a high school where we like to get out and run, I wanted to get out and run with the ball in my hands a lot. He really trusts his guards and lets them go and make decisions on their own. That's one thing I really liked."Given your height [he's 6-foot-1], do you consider yourself more of a point guard or more of a shooting guard?"It's kind of weird because I can score as any two-guard can, but with my size, I played the one, directing my teammates and helping them out with different things. I kind of consider myself both, a combo guard more than anything."When you're talking with the coaches during the recruiting process, what kind of role do they envision you having on the team?"They really have me as a leader, first and foremost. Then they have me as a guy who's going to have the ball in my hands a lot of the time, directing everybody, kind of a free range guy who can score when I need to and find my teammates, kind of the main guy to get things going for them."You're someone who obviously plays on a stat-studded high school team where you're not necessarily the main focus. Do you see yourself, once you get to college and to a place like Duquesne, who can be leaned on a little bit more, like someone who can assume a star's role?"Yeah, I think I will. If you look at being a star and the team being on your back, it really comes from respect and preparation. I know I'm willing to work hard and not try to act like I know everything and listen to them. I think I'd be fine with putting the team on my back, if you want to call it that."What has playing with guys like Jayson Tatum and some of these other high-profile players at a storied program like Chaminade taught you?"Mostly, it has taught me that no matter what you do, you're going to have to work hard, no matter who you are or how much success you have. It's all about the team and all about the program, not individual stats. One thing I've learned from Jayson, who I've known since the fourth grade, is no matter what, you never change who you are as a person. You never let all of the fame and people recognizing you and everything get to your head. You have to stay humble and keep working hard because there's a next man who wants to show he's just as good as you."What do you think defines you as a basketball player? And are there any guys who you try to model your game after at all?"One thing that drives me the most is that my whole life, I've been doubted. Some people, when I first got to high school, said I wouldn't go Division I or even Division II. Going through high school, they always said I was too little and had to put on weight. I guess you could say I try to model my game after Chris Paul, with the way he played this year. When it comes to scoring, I try to model it after Steph Curry a bit and Kyrie [Irving]. Steph can obviously shoot the ball and Kyrie can get to the rim. And ball-handling wise, both of those guys are excellent on pick and rolls."What was it like earlier this week when you saw a guy like Bradley Beal [a Chaminade alum] tweet about your commitment?"It was a nice feeling. Brad's one of those guys who is an NBA superstar, but he's also like a big brother toward all of us, not just me. It was exciting to see him tweet about it and acknowledge my accomplishment, but at the same time, I'm kind of used to it. No matter what, when he comes back, he still runs in games and open gyms with us or works out with us when he has the chance." Is that kind of how things work at a program like Chaminade, where you have a bond with guys, even if you didn't play with them, who come back and mentor you?"It's not even about basketball at our school. It happens with football and soccer, too. Everybody forms a brotherhood. Everybody at our school, we always have our stories to come back and tell. It brings us together as a whole. Chaminade in general is a grand brotherhood and people don't really know that until you go there." 

At 6-1, he'll have a shot at playing the three.

Mike Lewis signed today.  One down two to go.

Last edited by CLK (11/11/2015 12:22 pm)

Best of luck to young Mr. Lewis welcome to the newest Duke!

Phildog wrote:

No doubt coming from a winning program is helpful, it's a mindset and he seems used to playing with really good teammates. Let's wish him well.

 Lewis​' Chaminade team's game against Oak Hill Academy will be broadcast by ESPN on Thursday, 12/3 at 7:30 pm.
 

levon1975 wrote:

Purduke wrote:

Phildog wrote:

No doubt coming from a winning program is helpful, it's a mindset and he seems used to playing with really good teammates. Let's wish him well.

 Lewis​' Chaminade team's game against Oak Hill Academy will be broadcast by ESPN on Thursday, 12/3 at 7:30 pm.
 

 Thanks for the programming note; I'll try and get a look at Mike Lewis.  I understand he sets the table for three other D-1 recruits, two of which are rated very highly.  I say this because he probably doesn't get the ball back a lot when he passes; so his scoring numbers are probably not great.  It will be a nice opportunity to see one of our guys before he arrives on the Bluff.

Agreed on the stats thought. However, playing on what's basically a college team will hopefully help him be ready for the college level. Too often, D1 recruits are the only show in town and put up ridiculous numbers but don't learn how to play as a team. Looking forward to seeing mike play this week

Ken, actually the Dukes are out of scholarships now so too late for Kobe, but hopefully I think Ferry may have found that Soko type of player in Mike. He is a mobile big that has many of those raw Soko type skills that I mentioned in my wish list.   

Steve Keller ‏@SteveKellerNRR Oct 27 Trinity's 6'8 Sr Isiaha Mike is committed to Duquesne & his lift, handle & long range jumper make him a flat out steal for the Dukes.

Craig Meyer ‏@CraigMeyerPG   Nov 13 From talking to a few people about Duquesne's 2016 class, announced this afternoon, you get the sense Isiaha Mike is the potential star.

Last edited by CLK (11/30/2015 6:48 pm)

currentstudent wrote:

CLK wrote:

Ken, actually the Dukes are out of scholarships now so too late for Kobe, but hopefully I think Ferry may have found that Soko type of player in Mike. He is a mobile big that has many of those raw Soko type skills that I mentioned in my wish list.   

Steve Keller ‏@SteveKellerNRR Oct 27 Trinity's 6'8 Sr Isiaha Mike is committed to Duquesne & his lift, handle & long range jumper make him a flat out steal for the Dukes.

Craig Meyer ‏@CraigMeyerPG Nov 13 From talking to a few people about Duquesne's 2016 class, announced this afternoon, you get the sense Isiaha Mike is the potential star.

I really hope so. There really not much out there compared to our other two recruits. Im scared he may be to weak to compete with A10 forwards. Also the lack of competition up in Canada could make him look better. Our last two Canadian prospects didn't pan out so well. But I hope im proved wrong!

If he's weak, you get him in the weight room. It's worked wonders for Gill. Wayne Smith came from Canada, and he was a fantastic player for the Dukes. You might also remember Andrew Nicholson from St. Bona.
 

Just a reminder that mike Lewis will be running the point in what's essentially a college-level game at 7:30 on ESPN against Oak Hill. Looking forward to seeing the kid play

WashPaRick wrote:

Lewis with 14 on 5 for 9 from the floor with 4 plus to go.

Looks like we're getting a pretty good player. Nice jump shot and had a nice drive to the hoop. Playing good D too against a team that has a top 100 player at every position

i liked what i saw from the kid. he has the intangibles…good hoops IQ. coachable, a leader, he is long and athletic.
i think he will be a very mature freshman having played with and against some of the top players in HS.