A Dynamic Duo...The Duke Freshmen

Dec. 19, 2001

Written by Lisa Jones, Sports Information Student Assistant

Although it seemed virtually impossible for Duke head coach Gail Goestenkors to bring in a recruiting class to top the highly touted class of 2004 that included 2001 National Freshman of the Year Alana Beard, this season coach Goestenkors has brought in two freshmen that have been making an impact on the court since day one.

Washington D.C., native Monique Currie and Atlanta, Ga., native Wynter Whitley are two freshmen that were highly recruited by colleges all over the country, but chose Duke instead. This duo brings tremendous amount of talent and enthusiasm to this young squad and they are ready to push Duke into the forefront for the NCAA title.

"I couldn't be any prouder of Monique and Wynter," said Goestenkors. "They are both very mature freshmen in every respect."

Currie, who was named the 2001 USA Today Maryland Player of the Year, said she came to Duke because it was a great fit for her academically and athletically.

"I chose Duke because it is a wonderful school," said Currie. "When I came to visit, everyone was really nice and the campus was beautiful. The basketball team was up and coming and I felt that I could contribute to the program and help them win a national championship."

The rookie arrived at Duke with an impressive resume. In addition to her Player of the Year nod, Currie was also named finalist for the 2001 Naismith Prep Player of the Year award as a senior.

Despite the adjustment of playing college basketball, living away from home and in a city much different than D.C., Currie hasn't had much trouble finding her place at Duke on or off the court.

"The intensity of collegiate basketball is at a whole different level," said Currie.

The higher level of intensity, however, has not seemed to hinder her performance. In Currie's first outing, she wasted no time making her presence felt on the court recording a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. In addition, Currie has scored in double-figures in five of seven contests.

Currie attributes part of her early success to her participation on the USA Basketball Junior World Championship team this past summer, which posted a 6-1 record on its way to earning a bronze medal in the games. Currie was able realize what it feels like to be on a team where she wasn't the best player, something she wasn't used to, as well as what it would be like to play at the college level.

"This summer by playing on the USA basketball team, I got to learn a little bit more about the college level," said Currie. "The practices were very intense."

She also contributes her success to playing with teammate Beard, who also participated on the team.

"Alana told me that our practices on the USA team matched the intensity of college practices," said Currie.

Currie has fond memories of the USA team, which she believes will carry over into her game.

"I really enjoyed playing with all of those great players," said Currie. "Many of those my teammates were the same players that I watched while I was in high school and looked up to. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to be on the same team with some of the best women's basketball players in the country. To be able to practice with them and have the chance to make myself a better player was unbelievable."

Currie's goals for her freshman campaign are simple.

"Primarily, I just want to end the season as a better basketball player than I started the season," said Currie. "I would love for us to have a successful season and come back with a national championship as well."

In order to add to reach these goals, Currie is working on her defense, something she knows she must improve on to be successful. With the help of the coaching staff, Currie is learning new things about her abilities as a player.

For example, coach Goestenkors pointed out she has longer arms than Beard and therefore she should have more steals. Currie is looking forward to taking on that challenge. The addition of strong defense to her already versatile game only adds more talent to an already exceptional team.

Currie also had a chance to develop relationships with not only Beard, but also fellow Duke freshman Whitley. The two had an opportunity to learn to play together, as well as with Beard.

"Monique is one of the most talented players that I have had the privilege to coach," said Goestenkors. "She has the ability to get to the basket and score with contact better than anyone else that I have coached. She a very smart player as she will take what defenses give her."

Whitley chose Duke for the same reasons classmate Currie did-the right combination of academics and athletics.

"I wanted to go to a great school and be a part of building a basketball tradition at that school," said Whitley.

Whitley said she didn't want to go to a school where there was a tradition of National Champions. Instead, she wanted to play a key role in building a dynasty.

Like Currie, Whitley has had little trouble adjusting to life in college. She too came to Duke with an extraordinary resume. In addition to her presence on the USA team, she was selected to the USA Today Super 25.

Whitley kicked off the season by starting her first collegiate game, something only six other freshman had done under coach Goestenkors. Whitley admitted that she was a little nervous starting her first game.

"I was glad that coach Goestenkors had enough confidence in me to allow me to start," said Whitley. "I just need to have confidence in myself."

Whitley is working on improving her confidence at the collegiate level. Coach Goestenkors has assured her that if she stops doubting herself, the domination she enjoyed in high school basketball will carry over into her game at Duke.

"Wynter reminds me of one of our former players, Rochelle Parent," said Goestenkors. "She is willing to take charges, gives good help to her teammates and does a lot of the little things that go unnoticed. As a coach, you really love and appreciate players like Wynter."

Whitley enjoys the collegiate game much more than high school, especially on the defensive end of the court.

"The game at this level is much more physical," Whitley said. "In high school, every touch foul was called. Now we can really play."

Another aspect of her game that Whitley is working on is her communication skills. Whitley said that Coach Goestenkors is encouraging her to become more vocal on the court and start demanding the ball more. Whitley said she believes once she takes on this role, she will become more of an offensive threat, similar to the role she played in high school.

Like Currie, Whitley also believes that her game benefited from her participation on the USA Basketball team.

"I learned the value of patience because I did not get to play as much," said Whitley. "I learned to visualize the game more on the bench and see where I was needed to make an impact once I got into the game."

Whitley also became good friends with Currie during their times next to each other on the bench. The two are close and, although they live down the hall from each other in the same dormitory, they spend a lot of time together.

Although the season has just begun, Whitley already has fond memories with her teammates. She is amazed at how receptive, friendly and understanding the upperclassmen have been to both her and Currie.

"Playing on the USA Basketball over the summer really gave them an advantage over most freshmen," said Goestenkors. "They understood the level of intensity is much greater at the collegiate level. The fact they are both very physical players has helped out team tremendously."

Whitley echoed Curries sentiment in her desire to improve this year as a basketball player. There is no doubt that under the talented coaching staff of coach Goestenkors, the two freshmen will achieve their goals as well as improve the overall performance of the Duke squad. The team that they have joined is undoubtedly young, yet neither player will allow that to be an excuse to derail their goals.