[UNCbasketballbumParticipant]

I just read an article that Andre Dawkins might red-shirt next year or transfer.  I remember his sister was killed in a car accident at the end of 2009 that hurt him obviously.  Dawkins is a great catch and shoot player and can fill it up from deep.  Anyone know any inside information on this situation?

[akhan786Participant]

The initial rumors were that he was actually kicked off the team. These rumors escalated far enough that Duke had to make an official statement that Dawkins remains part of the team but is considering red shirting next season to deal with personal issues.

His father reaffirmed this statement and said that his son never really had time to grieve for his sister who was killed in a car accident on the way to go see Dawkins play. Dawkins was 17 when she died so you can imagine the kind of guilt he had that his sister died on the way to go see him play a game.

Ever since his freshman season you could tell a change happened in him. He kind of closed up and his consistency was shoddy. Just this last season he dropped 26 against FSU then goes on a 4 game slump where he only hits 3 out of 25 shots.

Kid needs some time for himself and get away from basketball. Really hope he can sort things out and come back better than ever.

[BleedingBlueParticipant]

 I always felt that the accident was a turning point of Andre’s freshman year, or even his college career, since his season basically went downhill after that St. John’s game. And I think his father’s statement confirmed my thought.

Andre has always been one of the quieter players on the team, probably the most introverted among them all. I’m not sure whether that’s a consequence of the accident or just his nature but he really wasn’t vocal at all whether on or off the court. Moreover, rumor around the school says that he has struggled in school work — which is a huge surprise considering he was an outstanding student in high school and had a very high SAT score entering Duke. I would definitely attribute that to the accident.

I really wish the best for Andre and the rest of his family. Losing an older sibling could be a devastating event at this age. Hope he’ll recover from the grief and get his career, both on and off the court, back on track. I’m sure that’s what his sister would want to see, too.

[Johnny Chill]

I pretty much have always given Dawkins a pass despite his inconsistent play. Coming to Duke a year early when the team was thin in the backcourt, then hitting a huge shot against West Virginia in the final four. Without him, Duke doesn’t win the championship in 2010.

[MalcolmxParticipant]

 He didint really come a year early. He had reclassed back to his regular class. But also we have to cut him some slack.He has been produces for duke with a way to heavy heart at such a young age.May the lord be with Andre

[surveParticipant]

 All of the above is true about the situation, but what it boils down to is, they believe his play has suffered to a point to where it may not recover.   I felt that Dawkins shouldve transfered out last year, but he decided to stay.  He ended the season horribly, going scoreless in 4 of the last 6 games.  

I hate to burst some of you Duke fans bubble, and dont take this personal….but the team has been "using" him out of the fact of necessity.  They REALLY needed him his Freshman year, and they needed him the following 2 seasons.  He couldve taken a break by now….he also couldve transfered.  

Duke doesnt really have any frontcourt depth…and hasnt for a while now but have been stacked in the backcourt.  Well, this year, they dont need all those backcourt players….because Sulaiman has to play, then you have Curry, Cook, and Thornton.  Dawkins makes 5…and they would rather hold him over til next year because once again….they will really need him and will "use" him for that purpose.  So I believe this redshirt talk is due to the fact that they will need him much more next year than this year coming up.

Obviously, Dawkins is a good kid and he loves Duke, because he was and maybe still is a promising player, but with the revolving door of guards, and his family tragedy….his development has been hindered.  That however has not stopped him from putting his team first.  I dont expect to see Dawkins in a Blue Devils uniform this season…whether he is a member of the team…or not.

[UNCbasketballbumParticipant]

Dawkins is so inconsistent it’s crazy.  He could go 6-7 in 3’s one game and then go scoreless the next 2.  He’s a great shooter, but his inconsistent play always puzzled me. 

[akhan786Participant]

He’s too one dimensional. If his shot is off he just tries to chuck up more threes. He hasn’t improved his ball handling ability at all in his three years at Duke so that makes me question his commitment to playing basketball.

If he drives it into the lane I know he is either going to throw up a very bad layup or a turnover.

He only really shows up for 5 games a season.

[uknationParticipant]

So that was really his right class that he reclassified too?  I ask because he was still a year younger than that class so he either started shool early or that wasn’t his right class

[UNCbasketballbumParticipant]

akhan, I know that Dawkins is one-dimensional.  I just didn’t want to sound too biased bashing the guy being a unc fan, but the dude can’t do anything but shoot threes.  He has not improved in his 3 years at Duke at all, which is surprising.  I think he’s pretty good athlete.

[surveParticipant]

oh yeah…he is a very good athlete with length, he has shown flashes of it at Duke…but sparingly.  You would not know how athletic he is by watching him at Duke because you are right….he hasnt improved.  I thought when I first saw him that he had the potential to be a big time scorer…but being that he has had to play with so many other guards…it just hasnt happened.  Look at how close his head gets to the rim on that last dunk.

 

[UNCbasketballbumParticipant]

Yeah, that’s crazy, I haven’t seen Dawkins do any of that at Duke, he camps behind the line and jacks threes all day.  I dunno why he hasn’t developed any sort of handle and strength to attack the rim.  With his jumper, his first step would be that much more lethal.

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