Getting to know: Duje Dukan
MADISON - Having been around basketball his entire life, it shouldn't come as a surprise that Duje Dukan chose to play the game. Now, after having a fine prep career in the Chicago area, Dukan is set to elevate his skill set to the collegiate level.
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Just a couple practices into his first season at UW, BadgerBlitz.com caught up with Dukan. The following is a question and answer with the freshman forward.
You're a couple of practices in. How's it going and how is it different than the high school game?
Dukan: It's good. I'm just getting used to it right now. It's an adjustment, as you know, going from the high school to the college level. Not only is the physicality different but the speed of the game (is too). Just being through these first couple of practices, the way the ball gets up and down the floor is just unbelievable what a difference it is from high school. Right now it's just a transition. You've got to get used to it. The more repetitions you get, the more used to it you'll get.
When you come into a college program, how do you do so expectations wise? Have they been met? What did you first expect and have the expectations been different?
Dukan: To be honest, I didn't really have expectations. I just kind of came in to play basketball, get an education and go from there. I'm trying to work on my game and be a great student.
As far as college, it's been great. There's nothing that it hasn't provided to me that I couldn't have asked for. Whether it's the classroom, coach Bo Ryan and his great coaching or the great group of guys I have around me.
Do you notice the team chemistry of this team already as being pretty tight?
Dukan: Definitely. The older guys, the veterans, have done a great job of including the younger guys in all the stuff we've been doing. Whether it's hanging out at somebody's apartment or going out to get meals, it's been a good bond. You can definitely sense that through the summer time when we first started getting to know each other. We went out to eat a lot more and were just really getting used to everybody.
How do you classify yourself as a player? The wrap I've heard on you is that you're a shooter?
Dukan: Yeah, that's what I would classify myself as. I'd say a two-three guard. That's pretty much it.
Growing up you've always been around basketball. A lot of people know your involvement with the Chicago Bulls. What has that been like for you and your basketball career and what about hanging out with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen?
Dukan: It's unbelievable. There's nothing better you could ask for. Growing up, seeing guys like Michael, Scottie, Toni Kukoc, Dennis Rodman and all the greats from the NBA playing on a daily basis, not only seeing them in games when everybody saw them, but seeing them in practice. You see what they did in their off time to get better.
It kind of gave me a sneak peak of what I need to do if I want to make it at that level. I'm a big fan of the NBA, maybe not in this day of age, but that game was just unbelievable for me. I think the way it was played was just wonderful. I'm picking guys from that age and trying to model my game after them.
Do you have contact with any of those guys at all?
Dukan: My dad is good family friends with Toni. So we still stay in touch and go out to dinners and stuff.
How old were you when you were hanging out with those guys as much as you were?
Dukan: What, they won in 1998, so that was the last year. I was seven years old. So I was real young.
You were real young, but that says a lot about the way you were able to pick things up. Is that something you're proud of?
Dukan: Definitely. I would say I got a pretty good handle on it. Seeing the games lately, especially now that I'm older and I'm starting to understand the game of basketball better, it started to mean a lot more to me knowing I was there. The fact that I picked it up so quickly is great. It just helps me moving along the road of basketball that much quicker.
What's the biggest things that you've noticed about your game that needs to be picked up and enhanced so far in practice.
Dukan: I think definitely just my strength. Right now, physicality is something I need to work on as far as lifting in the weight room. That's something that's going to help me succeed as a college player.
Now, you guys were out on the field the other night when Ohio State was in town. You guys are dancing around. Who's the best dancer?
Dukan: Who's the best dancer?
Maybe the better question is who is the worst dancer?
Dukan: Who's the worst dancer? Ooh, I don't want to put anybody on the spot. I'd have to say Rob Wilson or J.D. Wise. One of those two.
