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Tim Stevens, J. Mike Blake, Clay Best, Aaron Moody, and Elliott Warnock follow all the news for high school athletes from Wake, Orange, Durham, Chatham and Johnston Counties. 

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Duke lands junior forward

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Duke has received a commitment from Michael Gbinije, a 6-foot-6, 180-pound junior basketball wing player from Richmond (Va.) Benedictine.

Dave Telep, the recruiting director of scout.com, has Gbinije ranked No. 14 among the juniors in the country.

Gbinije is averaging 17.8 points and 6 rebounds for a 23-7 Benedictine.
Benedictine coach Sean McAloon said Gbinije is a good shooter and gets to the rim well.

"There are things he can improve on, but he is just a junior," McAloon said. "At the next level, he is going to need to be stronger. I think his game is going to translate very well on the next level."

McAloon said early in the recruiting process Gbinije discussed Duke.

"Duke basketball is like Notre Dame football. A lot of people love it and a lot of people hate it," McAloon said. "But for Michael it began and ended with Coach K. I mean he is the U.S. Olympic coach.

"And when Michael finishes his career rather he plays in the league or overseas, he is going to have a Duke degree. He is going to be set for life."

Telep said Gbinije is smooth and talented.

"He is going to blend in very well at Duke," Telep said. "Michael is a very intelligent player and has played in a disciplined, structured system.

"I'd like to see him play a little bit more aggressively, but he is an outstanding prospect."

Gbinije recently attended the Duke vs. North Carolina game and made his commitment shortly after.

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About the blogger

Tim has covered high school sports for more than 40 years. He is the only active newspaper reporter in the National High School Sports Hall of Fame and is a member of the N.C. High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame. He was the co-author of the original NCHSAA record book. When he not writing about boys and girls, he often is at church or in a theater. Email Tim.
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