Exclusive Interview,Men's Basketball

Duke Basketball May Play Chinese National Team

by Laura Keeley on February 3, 2011 · 7 comments


The Duke men’s basketball team may be spending part of its summer break in China.

There have been discussions involving the basketball team travelling to China and playing the Chinese national team, Tallman Trask III, executive vice president and the chief administrative and financial officer for the University, said in an interview yesterday.

Jon Jackson, associate athletic director for university and public affairs, confirmed Trask’s statement, but said that “many stars have to be aligned” before the team agrees to go.

“This has been in discussion for a while, it’s not something that’s come up in the past week,” Jackson said. “Until there’s something, though, it’s just in discussion.”

When asked if this would help strengthen the Duke brand in China, a known goal of the University, Trask smiled and said, “It wouldn’t hurt it.”

Andy Moore contributed reporting.

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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

Mister Sensitive '80 February 4, 2011 at February 4, 2011 at 7:46 am

This is a very cool thing.

That said, I can’t see any outcome besides Devils getting crushed, but learning a lot in the process.

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Katbluefan February 4, 2011 at February 4, 2011 at 11:35 am

My, MY, Looks like Coach Nose is trying to copy Coach Cal with the China trip and making Duke’s name known in China. Cal did this just after he came to KY when he spent time in China and had some Chinese BB coaches come to UK. Maybe Nose is worried he is slipping.

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Dukefan February 9, 2011 at February 9, 2011 at 9:10 am

Coach K is more of a coach than Cal will ever be. If anyone has slipped, it’s Calipari. Let’s hope that he doesn’t get fired from yet another school for his shady actions. No wonder UK fans were considered the most obnoxious.

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Chinafan February 13, 2011 at February 13, 2011 at 9:32 am

This actually does sound pretty cool. However, aren’t there rules and such about the team practicing and playing over the summer. How does this fit into the NCAA rules?

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