Reddish discusses recruitment

Cameron Reddish, a five-star guard/forward from Team Final, sat down with Devils Illustrated to discuss his team's performance, his recruitment and where he stands in regards to an eventual decision.

Below is the transcript of that conversation.

Devils Illustrated: Tough loss obviously. Your team has dropped two in a row now. What do you all have to do to right the ship?

Cameron Reddish: "We've got to play better and we've got to rebound. Those are the main two things we are struggling with. We've got to practice a little more, too, because not everybody knows the plays. Once we get that down, we will be all right."

Devils Illustrated: You've been a very talented prospect for a while and a big name out here. What areas have you improved and how was your high school season?

Reddish: "I felt like I have got more aggression. More confident in myself. So I felt like I was able to go out and just dominate the entire time (in high school). Obviously I am playing with four other high major players, so I wasn't doing as much as I possibly could have. But I think I was able to be more aggressive, more confident."

Devils Illustrated: We notice that you run that point-forward role a lot here and a lot in high school. You tended to do it at USA Basketball quite a bit, too. Do you like that role? And if so, why?

Reddish: "Yeah, I like being in control of the game. I feel like I see the floor really well and I'm a really good play-maker, so me bringing the ball up is definitely a good asset for me to have at this point."

Devils Illustrated: Is there ever a time that you feel playing that role takes away from your scoring? Or other parts of your game?

Reddish: "It doesn't take away. I still see the lane if I am open or things like that.I know to make the right plays and that's why I think it's a good (role) for me.”

Devils Illustrated: In speaking to your dad a couple months ago, I know he told me that you took some visits to schools like Villanova, Kentucky and Duke not too long ago. Is that valid?

Reddish: "Yeah."

Devils Illustrated: Talk about the Villanova visit. Take me through their message if you will.

Reddish: "Villanova, they talk about the 'one and done' process and things like that. They know that they don't typically have it a lot. But they want me to go one and done. And they also want me to stay home. That's their main pitch."

Devils Illustrated: And Duke. What's their message?

Reddish: "We talked about a lot of things. Mainly, (Coach K) was talking about some other players that could be a package deal and things like that. But mainly, he just wants me to commit and be a leader. And to lead that class and to help recruit if I were to commit."

Devils Illustrated: Who would you want to join you, if you were to commit?

Reddish: "I want a bunch of dogs with heart. Because I'm trying to win a national championship. I want winners coming. It's not necessarily always the most talented players. Obviously you need talent, but I want people with a lot of heart."

Devils Illustrated: Who are some of the players that come to mind when you are thinking of those dogs with heart?

Reddish: "Darius Garland, Tre Jones, Louis King. Those are probably the top three right now."

Devils Illustrated: What about Kentucky? Obviously they have a strong reputation with guys who want to go one and done.

Reddish: "That was their pitch, you know. The lead (college basketball) in one and dones. They want me to come in and be able to play at Kentucky. At Kentucky, there is a lot of history there. Obviously, like Duke, they want me to come and lead this thing and help recruit."

Devils Illustrated: So with Duke and Kentucky, they have a history of one and done guys. How do you differentiate their pitches? What's different in how you see Duke versus Kentucky?

Reddish: "I think the big thing is the style of play. Kentucky is more of like, 'get out, run and go.' And Duke is more like 'you do what you do.' I mean obviously there's not a lot of big difference. They're both great schools. The main thing is their style of play."

Devils Illustrated: Since some of the schools seem to want you to commit and help recruit some other guys, does that mean that you might be closer to a decision?

Reddish: "I was hoping so, but I want to take my official visits first. I haven't taken any yet. Once I do that, I can come to my decision then. So hopefully in the fall maybe."

Devils Illustrated: When are you going to start taking some official visits?

Reddish: "Probably at the beginning of the school year."

Devils Illustrated: Who else is involved and showing love, outside of those three (Kentucky, Villanova and Duke)?

Reddish: "UConn is showing a lot of love. Arizona, Syracuse."

Devils Illustrated: What's going to be a big factor for you on these visits?

Reddish: "I have to feel like I'm at home. I have to feel like it's a family atmosphere. That's the main thing for me. I have to feel like I'm at home."