University star commits to Duke
Five-star prospect Vernon Carey Jr. picks Coach K, the Blue Devils.
University School basketball star and five-star prospect Vernon Carey Jr. is headed to Duke.
The 6-foot-10 center and last season’s Sun Sentinel Broward County 6A-1A boys basketball player of the year committed to Duke in a ceremony at his school on Thursday afternoon.
Carey picked the Blue Devils over North Carolina and Michigan State.
“This morning, I just felt like Duke was [right] for me,” Carey said.
“[It was] probably the most difficult decision of my life.”
Carey cited the Blue Devils’ recruiting class, the players currently on the team and legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski as the major factors that convinced him.
“[Krzyzewski said] I’m a unique player, and he said he works well with unique players,” Carey said. “So just being able to be under his belt is just humbling.”
Carey’s decision was carried live on ESPN. He said he chose to commit today because it is the anniversary of the death of his grandfather.
“I absolutely adore the Carey family, and to see the emotion they’re going through today, they’re tremendous people,” USchool coach Jim Carr said. “I’m very proud, I’m very happy for young Vernon. I think he’s relieved the process is over.
“This is a hard day. Vernon’s
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Carey originally considered Miami in his top five schools. His father, Vernon Carey Sr., played football for the Hurricanes.
Carr said he thinks the suspicion around the Miami basketball program in the FBI’s probe into corruption in college basketball hurt the Hurricanes’ chances of landing Carey.
“Miami, I thought, had great momentum when I first got here,” Carr said. “It’s an unbelievable program. I really feel for them because I think just the negativity of where college basketball was last year and the improper innuendo was such an in his community.”
against that program them back a little bit.”
Carey, the No. 2 prospect in the 2019 class according to 247Sports, has helped lead his team to a 4-0 start this season.
Last year, Carey took the Sharks to a Class 5A state title and a national runnerup finish. He averaged averaged 26 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists per game. He was named Florida Dairy Farmers’ Mr. Basketball after his junior year.
“He really, really values winning,” Carr said. “But Vernon Carey’s mindset is: team, winning, myself, my improvement. He hasn’t gotten caught up with rankings or opinions. To his credit, I think that’s been good with him.”
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