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redseat
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Grayson Allen welcomes new role for Duke - ESPN
Even though Allen was part of the No. 1 recruiting class that included Jahlil Okafor, Tyus Jonesand Justise Winslow, he was the only one who wouldn't be starting. He wasn't even expecting to play a lot, considering Matt Jones and Rasheed Sulaimon were two experienced reserves ahead of him.
So when it came time for every player to meet with Krzyzewski and talk about season goals, Allen ended up with a most unique request.
The basketball-related matters were secondary, No. 1 on his list?
Enthusiasm.
Whether in practice, on the bench or on the court, Krzyzewski wanted Allen to be outwardly active.
"I'm a really shy guy, and so when I first came here, maybe my quietness kind of overshadowed my enthusiasm," the 6-foot-4 Jacksonville, Florida, native said.
It didn't help Allen that Okafor, Tyus Jones and Winslow came to Duke having already known each other very well. They were all pretty familiar with how each other played, too. In that respect, Allen was initially on the outside of even his own class.
"It was a little different because me, Justise and Jah knew each other so well," Tyus Jones said. "But we quickly bonded and meshed so it didn't take too long to become extremely close."
It didn't take long for Allen to show the enthusiasm Krzyzewski was looking for, either. Both in practice and in games, Allen isn't afraid to speak up and assert himself.
He really can't afford not to anyway.
Even though Allen was part of the No. 1 recruiting class that included Jahlil Okafor, Tyus Jonesand Justise Winslow, he was the only one who wouldn't be starting. He wasn't even expecting to play a lot, considering Matt Jones and Rasheed Sulaimon were two experienced reserves ahead of him.
So when it came time for every player to meet with Krzyzewski and talk about season goals, Allen ended up with a most unique request.
The basketball-related matters were secondary, No. 1 on his list?
Enthusiasm.
Whether in practice, on the bench or on the court, Krzyzewski wanted Allen to be outwardly active.
"I'm a really shy guy, and so when I first came here, maybe my quietness kind of overshadowed my enthusiasm," the 6-foot-4 Jacksonville, Florida, native said.
It didn't help Allen that Okafor, Tyus Jones and Winslow came to Duke having already known each other very well. They were all pretty familiar with how each other played, too. In that respect, Allen was initially on the outside of even his own class.
"It was a little different because me, Justise and Jah knew each other so well," Tyus Jones said. "But we quickly bonded and meshed so it didn't take too long to become extremely close."
It didn't take long for Allen to show the enthusiasm Krzyzewski was looking for, either. Both in practice and in games, Allen isn't afraid to speak up and assert himself.
He really can't afford not to anyway.