Serra: Guard Makes It Official, Announces He Will Attend Duke

As expected, basketball standout Ricky Price of Serra High announced Wednesday that he will attend Duke University in the fall of 1994.

The Times reported Friday that Price had chosen Duke over Kansas, based on information provided by an anonymous source.

Price, a 6-foot-6 senior considered one of the premier shooting guards in the nation, made his announcement in the Serra library before a gathering of friends, family and reporters. He will sign a letter of intent during the early signing period of Nov. 10-17.

“I’ve chosen Duke because academically and athletically there is no better institution in America,” he said. “When I visited Duke, I seemed to fit in well with everything; socially with the students, not just the (basketball) players. I got a good feel for the people around the (Durham, N.C.) area. I liked it a lot.”

Price also hit it off with Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski.

“As far as Coach K is concerned, I really got to know him, and I liked him and I want to play for him,” he said.

Price said it was difficult to turn down Kansas, which had recruited him since his junior year at St. Anthony High in Long Beach. Duke began recruiting him in July, after he had an impressive showing at the ABCD camp July 5-8 in Ypsilanti, Mich.

He informed Kansas Coach Roy Williams of his decision late Tuesday night.

“(Williams) was waiting up for my phone call,” he said. “He was hurt. I had a special relationship with Coach Williams. I really liked him. It was hard for me to tell him I wasn’t coming, but it was something I had to do.”

Price said that when Duke entered the recruiting picture, it was a dream come true.

“At first I thought Duke was untouchable,” he said. “They hadn’t sent me anything. So when they finally contacted me, I was excited. . . . I never thought I’d get a chance to make this decision.”

Price will be the second South Bay prep standout to play at Duke. Former Rolling Hills center Jay Bilas played for the Blue Devils from 1982-86.