NEW YORK – The best thing about the NBA lockout for Austin Rivers was that it brought him even closer to his father.

Without the Boston Celtics to coach, Doc Rivers attended his son’s first eight games at Duke, including making that, ahem, tough trip to Maui.

“My first eight games he was at every single game front and center supporting me, which is really neat,” Austin said after scoring a team-best 18 points despite fouling out in No. 5 Duke’s 86-80 win over Washington on Saturday at Madison Square Garden.

“I’ve never once been part of an NBA lockout, and the fact that my dad got to come to my games for once was pretty neat because he usually never got to. Back in my high school and my whole life, he’s come to one to three games a year.”

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Two future Duke players and a pair of Kentucky signees showed a glimpse of the talents they will bring to their future schools at the Nike Hoop Summit.

During a 92-80 win over the World Select Team Saturday night at the Rose Garden in Portland, Ore., the USA was led by 20 points from Duke-bound guard Austin Rivers.

The USA also received a double-double of 16 points, 10 rebounds and two blocked shots from 6-9 Kentucky commit Anthony Davis; 16 points, five rebounds and five blocks (more…)

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Austin Rivers or Michael Gilchrist?

Who is the National High School Player of the Year?

“I think I have worked hard, and it would be a blessing to win,” the Duke-bound Rivers said Thursday by text.

Speaking on behalf of Gilchrist, St. Patrick coach Kevin Boyle said: “On the year he had with the schedule we had, he has as much right to that as anybody, Austin Rivers or other guys that are mentioned, without question.” (more…)

The McDonald’s All-American team was named Thursday for the March 30 game at the United Center in Chicago (10 p.m., ESPNU).

Gene Pingatore of St. Joseph High School in Westchester, Ill. will lead the West team and Bob Cimmino of Mount Vernon (N.Y.) will serve as head coach of the East team.

WEST

Wayne Blackshear (Louisville)

Branden Dawson (Michigan State)

Myck Kabongo (Texas)

Austin Rivers (Duke)

Marquis Teague (Kentucky) (more…)

Basketball fans hoping to see a Michael Gilchrist-Austin Rivers showdown Wednesday night on ESPNU won’t get their wish.

Gilchrist, the 6-foot-7 Kentucky signee, held up his end of the bargain by dropping a career-high 34 points and 13 rebounds as Elizabeth (N.J.) St. Patrick downed Mater Dei, 71-61, in the semifinals of the City of Palms Classic in Fort Meyers, Fla.

But Duke-bound Rivers and Winter Park came up short, 63-62, to Milton (Ga.) in the other semi.

St. Patrick, ranked No. 11 by USA Today, will face No. 15 Milton at 9:30 on ESPNU. (more…)

Duke signee Austin Rivers dropped 42 points and Winter Park (10-1) beat previously undefeated Palm Beach Gardens, 76-64, in the City of Palms Classic Monday in Fort Myers, Fla.

Rivers now has 70 points in two games at the event.

“He just continues to amaze me and everybody else in the stands,” Wildcats coach David Bailey told the Orlando Sentinel.

Winter Park faces Alpharetta, Ga., Milton (9-1) in one semifinal Tuesday at 7 at Bishop Verot High School. (more…)

Elizabeth (N.J.) St. Patrick, Oak Hill (Va.) Academy and Mount Vernon all advanced to the semifinals of prestigious holiday tournaments Saturday.

St. Patrick, ranked No. 11 by USA Today, beat Chicago Whitney Young, 92-68, in the quarterfinals of the City of Palms Classic behind 37 points from Western Kentucky signee Derrick Gordon.

St. Pat’s on Tuesday will face the winner of Monday’s game between Mater Dei (Calif.) and Christ School (N.C.).

Gordon’s made 12 of 20 shots, including 6 of 9 from 3-point range, to go with three steals. (more…)

The Atlanta Tip-Off Club released the Naismith Boys Watch List on Thursday and three Kentucky commits made it — Michael Gilchrist, Marquis Teague and Anthony Davis. Duke signee Austin Rivers and Baylor signee Quincy Miller are also on the list.

2010 Naismith Boy’s High School Player of the Year Watch List

NEW YORK — Celtics coach Doc Rivers said his son, Austin, hopes to team with Kyrie Irving next year at Duke.

Austin Rivers is a 6-foot-3 shooting guard from Winter Park (Fla.) who signed with Duke last month. If he and Irving were to play together, they could form one of the most explosive backcourts in the nation.

“Oh yeah, he’s hoping to play with Kyrie,” Doc said Wednesday before the Celtics-Knicks game at MSG. “That still may or may not happen, whether he’s injured or not. But I’m just hoping Kyrie is back and healthy. He’s a terrific player.” (more…)

Austin Rivers will play at Madison Square Garden in his first season at Duke when the Blue Devils face Michigan State Nov. 15, 2011 in the inaugural “Champions Classic.”

“I’m excited, man,” Rivers said by text. “It’s going to be sick.”

Kentucky, which will feature the blockbuster freshmen group of Michael Gilchrist, Anthony Davis, Marquis Teague and Kyle Wiltjer –  will meet Kansas the same night.

ESPN announced the launch next year of the three-year men’s college basketball event featuring Duke, Kansas, Kentucky and Michigan State – four of the sport’s winningest programs – playing each other from a different neutral site location each year. (more…)