DURHAM -- Last summer, Kyrie Irving monitored the S.J.G. Greater NC Pro-Am summer basketball league via YouTube, checking out John Wall highlight videos.
Tuesday night at N.C. Central’s McDougald-McLendon Gym, Irving turned in enough plays to fill his own highlight reel.
Irving, who’ll play his freshman year at Duke this winter, scored 35 points as his Hendrick of Durham team lost 66-62 to Team Navy.
``It’s a great experience,’’ Irving said. ``I really wanted to play in this Pro Am. There’s great talent out here. It’s a great experience to come out here and play against great competition.’’
Rated the nation’s No. 6 high school senior last season by Scout.com, Irving carries high expectations to Duke. Coach Mike Krzyzewski expects Irving to contribute as point guard for the defending national champions as a freshman.
Irving is getting ready.
``I’m just putting in the time everyday in the gym,’’ Irving said. ``I’m dedicated to the gym. We have access to our gym 24-7. It’s a great experience to come out here and play. This is getting me ready for the season, also. Not just the gym but here also.’’
Irving’s Team Navy club trailed by 10 points in the fourth quarter before he sparked a comeback with back-to-back 3-pointers. Later in the period, he beat a defender with a quick cross-over dribble, drove into the lane and showed nice touch to score as Hendick pulled within two points.
But Team Navy held on, helped partly by an Irving defensive lapse with two minutes left. Guard Michael Deloach, the 2008-09 MEAC player of the year at Norfolk State who was an all-conference pick as a senior last season, beat Irving off the dribble in the halfcourt for a layup that stunted Hendrick’s comeback.
``It’s a tough league,’’ Irving said. ``It’s a really fast-paced game and a lot more physical than I thought it would be.’’
Get the biggest news in your email or cellphone as it's happening. Sign up for breaking news alerts.
Forget about Duke's comeback win over North Carolina. The evidence from this season suggests that the Blue Devils' biggest test of the week will come today when Maryland comes to Cameron Indoor Stadium. 
Former Duke star Luol Deng learned Thursday he'd been selected for his first All-Star Game. That would have been a thrill no matter what, but Deng found it special because of all he's been through. 
Remember when ACC teams began conference play about a month ago, and how it seemed like the road to the regular-season championship would be limited to a two-team race between North Carolina and Duke? 
Duke will try to avoid a UNC hangover when it hosts the Terrapins 
While there will be bonus time to draw up a game plan for Thursday's trip to Duke, the break also comes at a good time for C.J. Williams. 
As Austin Rivers comes down from his adrenaline rush of Wednesday night, the person who may have the best idea of how Rivers' one shot will affect his Duke legacy is Jeff Capel. 
Austin Rivers' final shot in Duke's remarkable 85-84 comeback victory over UNC on Wednesday night was supposed to be a two-pointer. Not a three. That was the plan. 
With 2:38 remaining, Harrison Barnes hits a jumper to give the Tar Heels a comfortable 10-point advantage. Keep up with the latest sports stories with our free e-mail newsletters, delivered to your inbox!
Subscribe to Sports - it's free!
Subscribe to Hurricanes - it's free!
Subscribe to College Sports - it's free!
Subscribe to Duke - it's free!
Subscribe to ECU - it's free!
Subscribe to NCSU - it's free!
Subscribe to UNC - it's free!
Subscribe to Wake Forest - it's free!
Subscribe to Preps - it's free!
