Meet David McClure

With Duke freshman Luol Deng's decision to enter the NBA draft, many Duke fans have become very concerned with the interior depth issues that Deng's decision has left the Duke program to deal with in the 2004-2005 season. Shavlik Randolph & Shelden Williams will be the only scholarship players for the Blue Devils who will be over 6-7. While Lee Melchionni is listed as 6-7, he is a pure wing player who is not going to be able to provide much help on either end of the court in the post. However, there is a freshman that will be entering the Duke program next season who is very likely to help ease some of the fear among Duke fans regarding interior depth. That freshman's name is David McClure & it may be time for Duke fan to get acquainted with McClure.

David McClure is a 6-6 combo forward from Stamford, Connecticut. While McClure has been listed by most recruiting services as a wing forward, he has spent most of his high school career playing in the post for his Trinity High School team. He has led the Crusaders to two consecutive state championships & closed out his career at Trinity by leading them to 52 consecutive wins. McClure concluded his senior season by averaging 15.7 PPG & 11.7 RPG.

But statistics is not what defines McClure. Duke fans will soon find out the McClure is all about winning & doing whatever is needed to help his team win. "Definitely the strength of my game is not going out there being concerned about what I need to do, but just go out there & do what I can do to help the team. I don't want to go out there with too many personal goals because in a team situation personal goals come second. I will do whatever you need me to do to help the team win" says McClure. "I think people will be happy with my versatility. I like to hit the boards and rebound. Sometimes I will take a guard off the dribble, and then on the next possession I will check the post guy on the defensive end" he adds.

McClure demonstrated his potential to provide Duke with some much-needed help on the interior during the Glaxo/Smith/Kline Tournament, which was held at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh during the Christmas holidays. In the championship game of the Glaxo, McClure's Trinity Catholic team was matched up against West Brunswick High School, which featured NC State signee Cedric Simmons. Simmons is 6-9, long-armed, & very athletic. He is also ranked #21 overall in the Class of 2004 by Insiders.com. Trinity Catholic defeated West Brunswick by a 66-44 margin in the Glaxo Championship game, as McClure was named the tournament MVP. He scored 18 points, had 9 boards, 1 assist, 3 steals, & 1 block. McClure also shot 8-14 from the field & made his only attempt from beyond the arc. Simmons ended up with 12 points, 7 rebounds, & 5 blocked shots.

Throughout McClure's high school career he has built up a reputation of holding the opposing team's best post player below their season average. "Dave's definitely a complete player," Trinity head coach Mike Walsh said. "The best thing he does is play defense and rebound."

The Duke coaching staff seems to believe that McClure has the potential of being a somewhat smaller version of Shane Battier, who was probably one of the best help defenders to ever play at Duke. Battier also began his career playing primarily on the interior, before eventually showing the ability to play on the perimeter during his last two years at Duke. This seems to be verified by McClure, "Coach K thinks that I could be something like Shane Battier" he says.

While Deng's decision to turn pro, has left many Duke fans wondering about the interior depth issues that his absence creates. The presence of a player with the attitude, hustle, & smarts that McClure possesses may help alleviate some of the anxiety that many feel as they look toward the 2004-2005 season. McClure is not as talented as Luol Deng, but he is the type of player who will do whatever is asked of him to help his team win. Shouldn't that be what college basketball is all about?