Jeff Capel has numerous memories from his time working alongside Jon Scheyer on Duke’s coaching staff. One notable story for both men revolves around a recruiting pitch toJeff Capel. The incident involves Capel using an expletive during a visit to a five-star recruit’s home, coinciding with the “one and only time” he witnessed Mike Krzyzewski drinking Jeff Capela beer. While the two events are unrelated, they share the common goal of securing Tatum for Duke.
In the spring of 2015, Capel and Scheyer, along with Krzyzewski, visited Tatum’s home in St. Louis. Capel recalls the day vividly, taking place shortly after winning the national championship. Scheyer played a crucial role in recruiting Tatum, a highly sought-after McDonald’s All-American.
Capel acknowledges Scheyer’s effective recruitment efforts, emphasizing the significant influence of Coach K. The recruitment visit turned out to be surprisingly easy, with Tatum committing on the spot, leaving everyone stunned. Capel even uttered an expletive in disbelief. Tatum’s mother, Brandy, overlooked the outburst and treated the coaches to her “amazing” tacos, while Krzyzewski enjoyed a beer.
Scheyer reflects on the memorable home visit, describing it as a unique experience to witness a player commit during a visit. Tatum spent only one season at Duke before becoming the third overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, achieving four-time NBA All-Star status with the Boston Celtics.
Despite their teams, Pitt and Duke, facing off, Capel and Scheyer maintain a strong friendship formed during their time working under Krzyzewski. Capel praises Scheyer’s coaching abilities and intelligence, acknowledging his impact as a player at Duke. Scheyer, now in his second season as Krzyzewski’s successor, holds a 2-0 record against Capel, expressing gratitude for the years they spent together and the positive influence on each other’s coaching careers.
