David McClure was a forward at Duke University from the 2004-2005 season through the 2008-2009 season.  He is now training here at IMG Academies to help him further his basketball career.  David took a moment from his workout to talk to our Basketball Academy campers and answer a few questions.

Here is what he had to say about…

…playing for Mike Krzyzewski: When you first realize that he is recruiting you, it blows you away.  You know all the hype around him, you have seen the videos, and you have seen the legacy that he has set, so it is really unbelievable when you first meet him.  Then when you get to know him, you see that he is just a regular guy.  He is a regular guy, but as a coach, he gets to know you before you really know yourself.  He will tell you things that you do not necessarily want to hear, especially as a freshman coming in, but it is all honest and it is for the betterment of the team.  He is a man that is truly dedicated to Duke University.  He puts so much time and effort into you and the rest of the team that you want to give the same time and effort back and working real hard.

…missing his sophomore season due to a knee surgery: It was hard.  I was put into a spot where I could have kept playing through it, but the doctors estimated that I would need a knee replacement and out of basketball by the age of 24 or 25.  So I decided to have the surgery and miss my entire sophomore season.   At that point, I had started some games as a freshman and I was really coming into my own, and I was playing well.  I did not think that I would be a starter at Duke University right when I came in, so I was disappointed when I got hurt, but the best thing for me to do was to get healthy again and get back after it.

…coming to IMG Academies: After the surgery was when I spent my first time here at IMG.  I knew I needed to get back into shape.  I was out of basketball from May to mid-February, and I could not even get on a bike until mid-December.  I had gained some weight, I was up to about 230 pounds, and I knew that if I wanted to come back and play, I needed to get after it.  I worked hard here and had a great experience.  I left here at about 198 pounds and I was ready to step in and compete. The time I had here then makes it so much easier to come back now.  Coach Mike, Trevor, Stacey, Corey; all of the coaches that were here before are still here, so you know that they are looking out for the best for you.  They push you hard, but I wake up every day looking forward to coming here and working hard.  They want you to succeed.

…his future basketball plans: I am getting in shape to hopefully play somewhere in Europe.  I just know that I have to be ready whenever that call comes, and I got to be in the best shape that I can be.  I have been working hard and I will continue to work hard until that phone rings.