Duane Wilson, a 6-foot-3 junior guard from Whitefish Bay Dominican, is one of the top players in the Midwest in the Class of 2014. He has drawn early interest from many of the top programs in the area, including Minnesota. Minnesota assistant coach Vince Taylor has watched Wilson at practice and game earlier this season.
Wilson has helped lead Dominican to a 17-1 start and a No. 1 ranking in Wisconsin’s Division 4. Their lone loss was to Germantown, the top team in Division 1, Wisconsin’s biggest class.
Wilson is averaging 18.6 for the Knights that also have two Division I caliber players in Jamall Taylor (20.4) and Diamond Stone (20.4). Stone has also drawn some recruiting interest from Minnesota.
Gopher Hole: Your team is off to a great start and are ranked number one in the state. How pleased are you with the team’s play?
Duane Wilson: I feel very pleased. We deserve the number one spot. We go hard every day in practice. We listen to coach and do whatever it takes to win.
Gopher Hole: You had had the one loss to Germantown, who is an outstanding team. You are considered the big favorite in Division 4, the second smallest class. Your team has a big target on their back because everyone wants to compete with you and knock you off. Is that something you like, knowing that you are getting everyone’s best game every night.
Duane Wilson: Yes, I like that. No one is going to back down. I like when everybody comes in ready to attack you, so it can be a good game and the fans like a good game, too.
Gopher Hole: How many offers are you up to right now?
Duane Wilson: I think that it is seven or eight. I’ve got Memphis, Marquette, Missouri, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Iowa and Indiana State. I’ve got interest from Virginia, and Minnesota.
Gopher Hole: Have you had a chance to attend many college games this season?
Duane Wilson: I went to Marquette, Memphis and an Iowa game earlier in the season.
Gopher Hole: Do you have a favorite school yet or is it still a bit early?
Duane Wilson: It is still kind of up in the air. I am just evaluating right now. I am just looking around.
Gopher Hole: What things are you working on to continue to improve yourself as a player?
Duane Wilson: Right now, I am just working on being a leader, getting stronger and defense. Just the little stuff.
Gopher Hole: Have you even thought about when you might decide on a school?
Duane Wilson: Maybe next year, around September or October in the signing period.
Gopher Hole: Are you going to try to make some visits after the season?
Duane Wilson: I am going to take all my official visits.
Gopher Hole: You are playing with the Playground Elite AAU program (they will be playing at the High Performance Academy in Eagan in April). I know that you had a young team last year, but you should be very good this season. Have you gotten together and talked about the upcoming AAU season.
Duane Wilson: We’ve got some new players on our team. This year, I am actually playing my grade, so it is like a new team coming. Deonte Burton (an outstanding wing from Milwaukee) should be playing with us and we should be good.
Duane Wilson: We’ve got some new players on our team. This year, I am actually playing my grade, so it is like a new team coming. Deonte Burton (an outstanding wing from Milwaukee) should be playing with us and we should be good.