Sean Dockery still has the same burst of contagious energy and speed he used to slash through defenses while playing for Julian High School.
A quick glance will not reveal it because Dockery’s statistics for his sophomore season at Duke are modest. The 6-foot-1 point guard has averaged 15.4 minutes per game and 3.1 points.
Dockery is a top reserve for the Blue Devils, who are in the Final Four for the 14th time and will play Connecticut on Saturday in San Antonio.
Dockery will chase down a loose ball, sink a clutch free throw and play tough defense. He averaged 28 points and seven assists his senior year at Julian.
“A lot of people ask me, ‘Could you have been starting anywhere else?’ ” Dockery said. “I’m under a point guard here who teaches me every day. I’m getting better–the best I’ve ever been.”
An understudy to Duke four-year starter Chris Duhon, Dockery makes the most of his limited opportunities knowing there are no guarantees of a starting role next season.
Dockery once had second thoughts about choosing Duke. He called home one night and told his father he might have made a mistake.
“When you first go somewhere and your minutes are cut short, you wonder, ‘What am I doing wrong?’ ” Steve Dockery said. “He was seeing his friends, like [Illinois’] Dee Brown and Luther Head on ESPN.”
Not long after, Krzyzewski had a closed-door meeting with Dockery, who left with a better understanding of the coach’s view of his ability and need for improvement.
“It was a learning experience,” Steve Dockery said. “He went from being a star at Julian to joining a team with 10 stars.” Father and son trust that Krzyzewski will give Dockery an opportunity next season.
Saturday’s games
Semifinals on WBBM-Ch. 2
– Georgia Tech vs. Oklahoma State
Tipoff at 5:07 p.m.
– Duke vs. Connecticut
Tipoff at 7:47 p.m.
