Georgetown Hoyas Player Profiles: Reggie Cameron

With the 2013-14 hoops season just weeks away, it's time for the annual rundown of Georgetown's roster and our exciting player profiles! In this epic series we introduce you to the members of the team and offer a glimpse at the best case and worst case scenarios for each.  Today, we start with freshman forward Mr. Reggie Cameron.

Ranked 63^rd in ESPN's 2013 recruit rankings, Reggie Cameron enters Georgetown as the lone recruit in the class if 2013. Cameron received offers from Miami, Cincinnati, Clemson and Connecticut before ultimately deciding on the Hoyas last September.

High School (Sr.) Stats: 22.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.2 steals per game.

Background

At 6-7, 215 pounds, the New Jersey native is most known for his exceptional shooting ability for someone his size- especially from beyond the arc. He has a quick shot, high release, and NBA range. As pure a shooter as they come, Reggie Cameron is someone who will make defenders pay for giving him space or lowering their hands. He's not particularly quick and has fairly heavy feet but a long first step and high basketball IQ have made up for it thus far. He doesn't have a true position, but he should develop towards one end of the forward spectrum during his time on the Hilltop. Again, his ability to shoot the ball will be where he does damage.

A shooting exhibition Cameron put on at the Primetime Shootout:

In case you weren't yet convinced:

Cameron finished 4^th in the state with 94 3-pointers last season, shooting at a ridiculous 45% clip from beyond the arc. However, it was his ability to do a little bit of everything that garnered him first team all-state honors as a senior.

"I knew I couldn't just be a shooter," Cameron said. "I had to be able to go in the post, get to the foul line, create my shot and just be an overall, versatile basketball player."

This realization helped him transform Hudson Catholic High School from a virtual unknown into one of New Jersey's premier programs. Arriving just before his sophomore year after his former school, Paterson Catholic, closed in 2010, Cameron helped lead Hudson Catholic to a 76-11 record over his 3-year stay and gave the school its first two Hudson County titles since 1975.

"He's had a storied career here," Hudson Catholic coach Nick Mariniello said. "Not only with wins and losses and scoring. I think with the way he conducts himself, with the way he's going to Georgetown, which is an elite academic institution, he's the complete package."

This is not to say that all is golden with Cameron though, as a couple of issues certainly stick out. His lack of a true position will hurt him much more defensively than offensively, and he doesn't possess the athleticism to keep his head above water against tough matchups. He is not quick enough to guard wings nor is he tall enough to deal with bigger forwards around the rim. How he develops physically will be a huge determinant of how successful he ends up being at Georgetown. There are also concerns that his offensive game is too heavily concentrated on spot-up shooting and that his first step won't be nearly as effective against Big East defenses. He's not particularly skilled at dribbling, nor is he quick by any means, so he will need to be able to effectively swing the ball and utilize his high basketball IQ when defenses key in on him. Whether or not he will be able to do that remains to be seen.

Despite these concerns, Cameron will likely be counted on to contribute right away now that Greg Whittington is confirmed out for the season. One thing he will have to demonstrate is a motor on the boards, but it is believed that won't be much of an issue. JTIII also makes a living forcing defenders out of their comfort zones, and in that regard he has an awesome new toy in Cameron. With Cameron occupying the 4 spot and lurking around the perimeter on offense, opposing big men will be forced to honor the shooting ability and step out. In theory it should work wonders opening up lanes for DSR and Markel Starks to attack the rim or utilize quick dump-offs to uncontested layup machines Lubick and Hopkins. And Godspeed to any defense that goes zone when DSR, Starks, and Cameron are on the court together.

JTIII has shown he is not afraid to give heavy minutes to freshmen if they deserve it, and Cameron has been touted for having the type of high basketball IQ that will earn him minutes.

"My dad always told me the best player and probably the most valuable player on your team is usually the smartest," said Cameron. "If you can't think your way through certain situations, you're going to have a problem."

Best Case Scenario

Cameron fits the recent trend of Georgetown freshman that come in and contribute right away. He bulks up and to his credit demonstrates the ability to effectively guard the 4 on defense while stretching defenses mercilessly on offense. He plays his way to multiple Big East Freshman of the Week Awards before eventually winning the award outright at the end of the year. He leads all freshmen in 3-point % and draws absolutely no interest from NBA scouts.

Worst Case Scenario

Stephen Domingo becomes the preferred option to Cameron and it takes a hit on his confidence. He takes too many shots in the limited minutes he does play and doesn't make the defensive adjustments he needs to, ever. He finishes the year averaging about 10 minutes per game with one or two 3-pointers and makes virtually no other statistical imprint on the season.