Kyrie Irving Chat Session on ESPN

This year, Jon did a great job for us. He had a great senior year. His career at Duke was great. I think how we differ is I’m more up and down, that’s the style that Coach K liked when he was recruiting me.

How do you think your style will differ on the court from Jon Scheyer, what does KI bring to the table?

I didn’t really have anything to do with it. Coach K just gave me the number. He told me the history behind it, how Duke is No. 1. He asked me what number I wanted to wear and I told him 11. He told me it was retired and something popped into his head and he said how about No. 1?

Kyrie, how did you get Coach K to let you wear #1?

Actually, I did. I got a chance to play with all of the guys when I went on my official visit. Seth just made my job easier on the court. Dribbling, knocking down shots.

Have you had a chance to play with Seth Curry? How do you think you two will work together?

Thanks. I think Indiana basketball is great. Tom Crean is a good coach. Great program. I love everything about Indiana.

Kyrie, good luck at Duke next year but any thoughts on Indiana ? Everyone here at Indiana would have loved to have the best PG to come out of NJ in the candy stripes. Any things you got to experience that made Indiana stand out ?

I think there will be a little bit of pressure, I don’t really pay much attention to that. If we are preseason No. 1, it will be great. It will be exciting to be No. 1 in my freshman.

How much pressure will you feel if Duke is preseason #1?

I’m hoping. I’m hoping he stays. As of right now, I’m not sure.

You think Kyle is staying?

I think it’s a great rule. It has positives and negatives. On the positive side, there’s more preparation to go into players. On the negative side, players like LeBron if he went to college, I don’t think it would be for him. There are positives and negatives on both sides.

How do all three of you feel about the NBA’s one-done rule? All three of you would probably be picked in the first round in this years draft, but are forced to go to school for a year. Does this bother you at all?

I guess you could say that. I don’t really get my motivation from Dexter, but I think it will be more heated. I was his teammate for 2.5 years. It will be great to play against him.

Kyrie, Does playing a former teammate Dexter Strickland and the pain of Harrison choosing UNC over Duke give you more motivation in the heated rivalry?

I think it was a great game, overall, until the final second when Heyward missed the shot by 3 inches. That was a close shot. I ran around my house to tell my father.

Were you watchin ght title game?

Yeah. Ky. Call me Time.

Do any of you guys have nicknames?

It will be a friendly rivarly. Once we step on the court it will be all business, but off the court, we’re the best of friends.

Kyrie and Harrison, talk about the new heated rivalry between Duke and UNC? It seemed to be taken to a new level on that Mcdonald’s All American Game youtube video with yourselves, Kendal Marshall, and Reggie Bullock.

I think another reason was the family atmosphere built around the Duke basketball program.

Kyrie, Besides Coach K and the prestige of the program being your reason for choosing Duke, what was another big reason that played into your recruitment?

I think it will be great, with Nolan being a senior. With his experience. And Seth being there as a versatile wing.

Kyrie Irving! How excited are you to be playing with Curry and Nolan Smith next year in the backcourt? And who will step up for Duke in the frontcourt?

No, not really. I didn’t really pay attention to it. It was all in good fun. It’s a friendly rivalry.

Kyrie, you gotten back at Harrison yet for that ill advised ribbing at the McD’s game? K now has double the championships Roy has.

Just coming in and be an impact freshman, particularly in Coach K’s system. You can’t play like a freshman.

Kyrie: How do you see yourself playing in Coach K’s system? BTW – We can’t wait for you to join the team! Legooo!