Recruitment, pathways and choosing Wake Forest – with Cameron & Danny Hildreth – Ep.73

For Episode 73 of the Hoopsfix podcast, we sit down with highly rated Class of 2021 prospect Cameron Hildreth and his father and coach, Danny Hildreth.

Danny is a former BBL professional, having had more than a decade long playing career with Ware Rebels, Brighton Bears, Derby Storm and Worthing Thunder, before stepping into the coaching side of the game, whilst Cameron, a GB junior international, is arguably the best player of his generation, having dominated NBL Division 1 as a 17 year old last season averaging over 20 points per game.

Danny has coached Cameron on at least one team he plays for (whether as assistant or head coach) since he first competed as a nine year old in Under-13 national league, and most recently led them to an undefeated season with Holy Trinity in the ABL.

Cameron has just announced his commitment to ACC school Wake Forest, and is believed to be the first male player to go directly from the UK to a high major program, and one of less than a handful of British guards to ever go high major.

In this hour episode, hear from Cameron and Danny on:

• Cameron’s decision to commit to Wake Forest
• The recruiting process and how it has been affected by COVID-19
• Why Cameron decided to commit early
• Montana State being the first school to offer Cameron and how it happened
• The decision between going to a smaller school or a big school
• Advice for parents weighing up options for their basketball-playing children
• ‘Virtual’ recruiting and how that has looked without being able to go on any visits
• Cultural differences between Americans and British people and the intensity of it all
• Choosing the US college route instead of Europe
• Where the BBL sits in Cam’s plans and why he is not playing in the BBL instead of NBL D1
• The six-year offer Cameron had on the table from London Lions
• What the BBL needs to do to sign young British talent and pull them away from the allure of the US
• Suiting up at the Euroleague adidas Next Generation Tournament and the impact it had on interest
• Foreign recruiters discounting what players do against British competition
• The concerns around COVID-19 wiping out the season and what it could mean for Cam’s development
• British guard development and what has attributed to Cam’s basketball IQ and guard skills
• An analysis of Cam’s strengths and weaknesses
• Why Cam chose to not leave Sussex Storm after his GCSEs for an EABL school, going to Holy Trinity in the ABL
• Cam’s future aspirations and where he wants to be after four years at Wake Forest
• And much, much more!

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