[McDunkin]

CHATHAM, Va. — P.J. Hairston said he seriously considered committing to Florida, Georgetown, Wake Forest and “I hope people don’t hate me when I say this, but Duke” before signing with North Carolina

The field was narrowed once the Greensboro native and former Dudley star determined it was important for him to stay close to home.

A recurring mistake helped him decide.

“The thing about Duke was, every time they sent me a letter, they wouldn’t spell my name right,” Hairston said. “They would have ‘T.J. Harrison’ or something like that. And I’m like, ‘OK. How can I go here? You can’t even spell my name right.’ It’s only two letters and HAIR and STON. I’m trying to figure out how that’s so hard.”

The 6-foot-4, 216-pound guard-forward played his senior season at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va., and graduated Saturday. He’ll report to Chapel Hill for summer classes beginning in mid-June.

“Don’t get me wrong. Duke is a great school,” Hairston said. “It wasn’t just because they couldn’t spell my name right why I didn’t go there. I don’t feel that I’m a Duke-type player, because they have a crazy system. It’s like mechanical.

“I couldn’t see myself playing at Duke …” he said. “I realized North Carolina is where I wanted to be.”

http://www.news-record.com/content/2011/05/15/article/unc_basketball_signee_pj_hairston_duke_couldnt_spell_my_name_right

[speedevil]

Duke never offered him a scholarship, plus Austin Rivers is better than PJ.

[surveParticipant]

They were never serious about him because he was never serious about them.  PJ committed to UNC almost 2 years ago.   He never showed real interest in Duke even though they recruited him.  The only teams he seriously considered were Wake, Memphis, Florida, and Georgetown.  So when you tell the story be sure to include both sides.

Now…whats that got to do with Rivers?  Rivers committed to Florida, then when he decommitted, UNC was right there in the running with Duke.  Rivers finally committed to Duke MORE than 1 year after PJ committed to UNC.  On top of that, PJ is 6’5" 220 plus and plays SG/SF….Rivers plays PG/SG.

[Sports Tears In Our BeersParticipant]

Dear TJ Hurstring,

Hi, writing you on behalf of all Duke fans. We are sorry that the University in which we cheer didn’t get your name correct in recruiting mailings. We are sorry that you chose to attend UNC over Duke in your final decision.

Here is the thing though AJ, we really don’t care.

Mr. Hairspray, you wouldn’t have seen much court time at Duke next year, that’s the big thing. Duke landed Austin Rivers and any way you spell it…he is better than you PJ Stonhair. So while your a good SG (Rivals #13 2011 prospect), Duke got the best SG (and overall) prospect. Work on your defense there CJ so you can, if you get in to games while Rivers is in, attempt to slow him down.

RJ, you also wouldn’t have seen the court because Duke prior to landing Rivers already had Seth Curry and Andre Dawkins fighting for the starting spot at SG. So BJ, while I understand your frustration with the recruiting mailings not spelling your name right. I am guessing the fact you wouldn’t play much played into your decision more.

A little advice for you Mr. Durston, make sure you stretch your shoulder and arm next year prior to handing out Gatorade to Zeller and Harrison. After a long game on the bench I’d hate for you to pull something trying to help out the Tar Heels that will actually matter next year.

Sincerely,

Duke Fan

 

As posted on our website.

[bjcart53Participant]

@ duke fan he is definitely a better prospect than dawkins or curry….Heck i think gbjine is better than dawkins….but this is just a kid talking because he loves his school…he is just having fun…If we expect kids to be as mature as we are as adults about this then we are the real immature ones. He just adding fuel to the rivalry which is good. Think about it the things said back in forth keeps this rivalry healthy…oh yeah im a unc fan but i just enjoy the rivalry

[Scottoant93Participant]

so someone chooses thier school based on if they can spell thier name right? I guess im not going to college the, as every school interested, has spelled my first name wrong. Im sure it happens all the time. Duke’s system is mechanical(meaning you mean like actually have to remember plays like in the nba…shocker there). im not a duke or unc fan or any carolina based team fan(I like rutgers, take that as you want) so I not biased at all, But these are just ignorant comments.

[bjcart53Participant]

i meant back and forth

[PlatypusParticipant]

 he just doesnt feel like an uncle tom, nuff said

[McDunkin]

Symbol…Grant Hill is gonna get you

[speedevil]

I’m glad duke got Rivers, PJ seems like he’s going to be a head case. Enjoy the headaches Roy!!!

[speedevil]

I’m glad duke got Rivers, PJ seems like he’s going to be a head case. Enjoy the headaches Roy!!!

[McDunkin]

 I bet they can spell it now

[er1csh3nParticipant]

 Uhm….no a top recruit is still a top recruit, I bet Coach K wouldn’t give it a second thought if he could offer PJ Hairston a scholarship. These Duke fans are soooooo biased, scratch that, every fan is biased.

[Author]

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