Curry ready to help Duke in title defense

DURHAM -- Duke guard Seth Curry sank 50 percent of his 3-point shots Thursday night in an S.J.G. Greater NC Pro Am summer league game at N.C. Central's McDougald-McLendon Gym.

At first blush, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski would no doubt smile at that fact. The added context that Curry took only two shots before leaving with a sprained ankle tempers the enthusiasm.

Curry's three points didn't help much against Team McGladrey in a 75-62 win over his Team Jamison.

Curry, though, said the injury is nothing to worry about and will do little to slow his preparation to help Duke defend its national championship.

"It's just a little sprain," Curry said. "I'll be all right. I'll be back out next week."

Summer-league play is another step in Curry's transition to playing ACC basketball for the first time. After leading all NCAA Division I freshmen in scoring with 20.2 points per game at Liberty in 2008-09, Curry transferred to Duke and sat out last season per NCAA rules.

He practiced with the Blue Devils last season but said the Greater NC Pro Am helps in a different way.

"It's real competition, getting up and down the court with real referees," Curry said. "Getting out in front of crowds and putting pressure on you. You get to work on your game."

His game sticks with family tradition. The son of former NBA guard Dell Curry and the younger brother of former Davidson and current Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, Seth Curry is adept at stretching defenses with 3-point shooting.

He scored 22 points for Team Jamison in a summer-league game Tuesday night and sank his first 3-point attempt, from the top of the key, before tweaking his ankle on a missed 3-pointer Thursday night.

Speaking to reporters last month, Krzyzewski noted Curry's experience, despite his only playing one season of college basketball.

"Seth gives us more maturity than you would expect," Krzyzewski said.

With Nolan Smith back for his senior season, Andre Dawkins preparing for more playing time as a sophomore, and highly touted freshman Kyrie Irving possessing the talent to be a key contributor immediately, Curry will be part of an impressive perimeter game.

Duke center Mason Plumlee, watching from the stands Thursday night, said Curry adds an important skill set to the Blue Devils' talented backcourt.

"He's real solid, and he can shoot," Plumlee said. "Obviously, right away, we could see why he was the leading scorer as a freshman in college. Seth is the real deal."

Last season, Curry had the best seat in the house to watch the Blue Devils develop into an NCAA champion.

"It was a lot of fun," he said. "Helping them get better in practice every day and working on my game as well. Going through that run in the NCAA tournament, even now that I'm playing, I may never get back there. I was trying to take it in as one of the players and enjoy the moment."

The Blue Devils are likely to be ranked No.1, or not far below that, entering the season come November. Curry has already seen enough to know the Blue Devils can handle the pressure.

"I'm sure Coach K knows how to deal with that," Curry said. "He'll have us ready. You will never get the big head playing for Coach K. We've dealt with it before. We'll be ready for it."