Duke’s Krzyzewski Back On The Road To Health, Recruiting

Mike Krzyzewski has hit the recruiting trail for the first time since back surgery sidelined him for much of Duke’s dismal 13-18 season.

The veteran Blue Devils coach said Thursday he was feeling no pain after back and leg problems.

“I feel great,” Krzyzewski said following a week on the road scouting prep prospects. “What I’ve done is, I’ve focused on being a basketball coach and recruiting. There’s only so much now that I can do.”

Krzyzewski, 48, said he kept a promise to cut back on events that do not pertain directly to the Blue Devils basketball program.

“I just can’t get as involved in things,” he said. “I’m doing much better in setting my priorities.”

Krzyzewski said his left leg, which sustained nerve damage following the October surgery, is about 90 percent healthy.

Krzyzewski, looking fit and trim, said he planned to return to the road this weekend recruiting, and will continue to scout prospects until the end of July. However, he admitted his three-month absence from the program hurt recruiting.

Bob Huggins signed a 10-year contract extension to continue as the University of Cincinnati’s basketball coach.

A dispute over a loan payment is the latest thorn in Dominique Wilkins’ relationship with the Boston Celtics. Because of the NBA lockout imposed July 1, the Celtics are not honoring an agreement to loan about $8.4 million to Wilkins.