Duke is seeking an interpretation of an NCAA rule as to whether a recruit can speak to a coach by phone if the recruit is still on the road, but not actively playing in a tournament.

According to a source, Alex Poythress called Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski Tuesday night after his Georgia Stars AAU team was eliminated from the AAU Super Showcase in Orlando.

ESPN ranks Poythress as the No. 17 overall recruit of the class of 2012.

Duke, according to the source, would likely accept any penalty associated with a secondary violation if it were deemed to be one.

Zak Irvin picked Michigan over Butler on Sunday.

Irvin is 6-foot-6 and will be a junior at Hamilton Southeastern. He is ranked No. 97 by Rivals in the class of 2013.

“I’ve liked Michigan for a while,” said Irvin. “But it was a really tough decision because I felt like I had a good relationship with (Butler coach Brad Stevens).”

Irvin, who averaged 11.4 points and 2.7 rebounds as a sophomore, also had offers from Baylor, Illinois, Indiana, Miami (Fla.), Purdue, Tennessee and Xavier. 

Irvin sees himself being used in a similar way as Tim Hardaway Jr.

“They talked a lot about how they can use me coming off ball screens, either shooting or creating,” Irvin said. “I watched them a couple games in the NCAA Tournament last year and watched how Tim Hardaway Jr. played. I think I can play the same way.”

After more than two decades at St. Patrick's of Elizabeth, New Jersey, Kevin Boyle has replaced Kevin Sutton at Montverde of Central Florida.

Dakari Johnson, who was Boyle's star freshman at St. Patrick's, is coming with him to Montverde. Johnson was named ESPN's Rise National Freshman of the Year.

Another top national prospect, Michael Frazier, has also transferred to Montverde, leaving Tampa Plant.

Jeffrey Simmons, head coach for Florida Rams Black, is impressed with the assembly of talent.

"[With Montverde] you've got a coach who's a legend,'' he said. "You've got superior talent. Once they gel, I don't see too many teams that are going to be able to beat them."

Gary Harris, a top-20 recruit of the 2012 class, is playing in his final AAU tournament this weekend in Fort Wayne.

Indiana's Tom Crean and assistant coaches Tim Buckley and Steve McClain have been in town watching, as has Louisville assistant coach Wyking Jones amongst others.

Harris is a 6-foot-4 guard and Indiana, Louisville, Michigan State, Notre Dame and Purdue are recruiting him the hardest.

Kentucky has been following Anthony Bennett 6-foot-7, 245-pound Toronto native who starred for CIA Bounce. Bennett, who attends Findlay Prep in Nevada, will be in the incoming class of 2012.

His long list of colleges includes Kentucky, Connecticut, Florida, Georgetown, West Virginia, Pittsburgh, Oregon, Florida State, Washington, UNLV, Arizona and Oklahoma.

“I’m wide-open,” he said, noting that he might not pick one until April. “I’ll probably cut it down after AAU, and then I don’t know how many or when I will take my visits.”

Bennett was asked if he would visit Kentucky.

“Yes, probably. Kentucky is a power school and all of the top players want to go there, and they do great. I have heard the fans are crazy, so I want to see the environment.”

Kevin Ollie has one season of coaching experience as an assistant at Connecticut.

But according to sources in and around the university, Ollie will be a prime candidate when Jim Calhoun eventually retires.

Ollie played for 11 different NBA teams in 13 seasons.

His work on the recruiting trail and on the bench with the Huskies in one season has received highly positive marks.

Ollie also has a legacy as a Connecticut starting point guard, outplaying seemingly more talented players.

"Pressure is something you make in your own mind," Ollie said. "If God blessed me with that opportunity, fine. If he doesn't, I'm going to still live my life the way I've been living and hopefully have my family support me in any decision I make. It's going to be family first.

"I don't put myself in a box. I've got different things I want to do," Ollie added. "Of course coaching UConn would be a dream come true. But if it don't come true it's not the end of my life."

Ricardo Gathers gave St. John's a verbal commitment on Saturday.

The AAU coach of Gathers compares him to a cross between Charles Barkley and Karl Malone.

"That's huge," Gathers told The Post. "Those are a couple of NBA Hall of Famers. I understand what he's saying. Those guys knew rebounding wins games just like defense. I go into every games trying to get at least 10 rebounds."

Gathers is the Red Storm's first 2012 recruit.

Steve Lavin and his staff still are going hard for St. Anthony point guard Kyle Anderson, Philadelphia power forward Amile Jefferson, D.C. shooting guard Darrick Wood and California shooting guard Katlin Reinhardt.

Gathers is rated by Rivals as the nation's No. 11 power forward and the No. 34 recruit overall. Jefferson is ranked as the No.10 power forward and No. 33 overall.

Jeff Adrien has decided to a sign a one-year contract with Benetton Treviso in Italy.

“I’m taking it as soon as the lockout’s over, a team will sign me to whatever type of contract,’’ Adrien said last week before agreeing to the deal with Benetton. “I do have overseas offers, but I just feel like right now my heart is right here in the NBA, and it’s hard not to listen to your heart.’’

Adrien was waived by the Warriors just before the lockout.

Avery Bradley's agent Mitchell Butler had a conversation with Danny Ainge before the lockout concerning his client's need to see game action to improve.

Bradley is ready to be a high quality NBA defender, but needs more floor time to develop offensively.

Butler is searching for options in Europe for Bradley to play, though he is currently training in Seattle with the likes of Jamal Crawford and Aaron Brooks.

“He’ll get the necessary reps running up and down, but I would like to put him in a structured situation, as well,’’ Butler said. “Being coached, having to run a team. And that could present itself in a situation in Europe. We’ve got a lot of teams that are interested, [but we need to be cautious] from a standpoint of making sure the money is right because he may end up being there the whole year. This [lockout] may go an entire season.’’

Ainge was receptive to the idea of Bradley playing in Europe.

“They were all for it,’’ Butler said of the Celtics. “If it is something we decide to explore, I am sure they will be happy about it. I think they want to see him get the necessary reps because he’s going to be a big part of what they do this season and for years to come.’’

Barcelona's number one goal is to sign Marcelinho Huertas, but they could turn back to Ricky Rubio if they are unsuccessful.

Huertas wants to join Barcelona and has a deal in place with them, but Caja Laboral holds his rights and the decision is ultimately up to the team.

If Rubio re-signs with Barcelona, he would return to the NBA as soon as a lockout is resolved.