[Rosiak's Blog] Interview with Junior Cadougan

[ToddRosiakSays]

Interview with Junior Cadougan

Written by: Todd Rosiak


It's been a busy summer for Junior Cadougan, who, since orally committing to MU in early July, has traveled all over the United States via the AAU circuit along with his team, Grassroots Canada.

The Toronto native has torn it up at virtually every stop along the way, grabbing the attention of a number of other schools despite what Cadougan's AAU coach, Ro Russell, termed a 'firm' commitment to the Golden Eagles.

I was finally able to catch up tonight with the 6-foot-1, 205-pounder, who will be entering his senior season at Christian Life Center Academy in Humble, Texas, and get his thoughts on MU and new coach Buzz Williams, his play of late, his conditioning, the Big East and more.

Here's the interview:

You've played a lot of ball so far this summer. How would you rate your play individually? Out of a 10, I give myself an 8 because I won a couple championships at the camps, I was ranked successfully in the camps. I did great this summer, man, This is my best summer of all my years of high-school basketball.

What do you think separated this summer from the others for you? I just got quicker, stronger and got my teammates involved. Knowing how to win.

You were a pretty highly recruited player coming into the summer, and your stock has risen substantially since. What's that like? Well, the last couple summers I played good but I hadn't been winning championships. We'd get eliminated early. Some people would see me, and some people wouldn't. But this summer I did good, and I made it to the championship every time, so everybody would see me at every event. That's what made it better. They knew I could compete against the top guys in the country, so now I'm really on the radar as one of the top point guards in the country.

Does that change things at all for you? I'd assume there's still schools trying to grab your interest. Yeah, a lot of coaches are trying to come on the bandwagon and stuff, but I'm committed to Marquette and that's all. Nothing's going to change.

You visited MU earlier this summer. What did you like and why do you think it's such a good fit? It was down to Marquette, Wake Forest and Memphis and my coach, Ro Russell, had a good relationship with (MU assistant) Coach (Tony) Benford, and one of his former players played for Coach Buzz (Williams). That helped me in the situation. Then I played with the guys and I know Lazar Hayward already -- there were just a lot of connections that just made it comfortable to go to Marquette University.

What do you think of Buzz? He's great. He's not just about business; he's got a great heart. Me and him are building up a relationship already. It's not just about basketball, you know, off the court he's a great person, too. That's Coach Buzz.

Did playing in the Big East play a role in your decision as well? Definitely. I get to play against all the top point guards in college basketball, play at the big-time schools, against UConn, Syracuse, schools like that. We all have dreams to play in the Big East.

How would you describe your game to someone who hasn't seen you play? When I went to the NBA camp, some of the NBA dudes were saying that I play like John Bagley, and some people said I play like Khalid El-Amin. The strength of my game is I can hit the mid-range shot, I can find dudes, my strength, my quickness, I can get to the rack. I really need to work on my three-point shot. Basically I'm going to take a lot of time and just put up a lot of long-range shots.

Your conditioning and body have been the topic of some discussion in the past. How would you say you're doing in those areas this summer? I had to switch up my diet completely. Just calmed down on the carbs and the rice and all that. I'm eating more chicken and potatoes and stuff like that. I've been working on my conditioning, and now my conditioning is great. I can play full-court the whole game, I'm not too heavy, I can go past guys. I've been doing a lot of push-ups, sit-ups, just a whole bunch of stuff. I've been on the treadmill, stepmaster -- that's helped me a lot.

You currently weigh in at 205 pounds. Is that where you want to be, or where Buzz wants you to be when you arrive at MU? He hasn't given me an ideal (weight), but I'm trying to be at 195 when I play at Marquette, just to be in tip-top shape and the best I can be. So 195 will be my playing weight at Marquette.

You play high-school basketball in the same region as another one of your MU classmates, Erik Williams. Do you know him at all? No, I don't know Erik. But Jeronne Maymon was on my NBPA camp team and me and him built up a relationship. I don't have his cell phone yet, so we haven't kept in contact.

What about Liam McMorrow? He's another one of your future teammates, and also a Toronto native. No, I don't know him. He lives on the other side of the city. I don't know him. (Having another Canadian on the team) will be real nice. Real nice.

You are one of a number of really solid players to come out of Canada over the past few years. Do you feel like your country is starting to receive its due for its talent? Yeah. The style of play up there, guys just play hard every time, even if it's at an open run. Sometimes I've got to be careful myself with what gyms I go to, where I play, because some guys play hard. They don't care who you are -- they're ready to go at you. That's the mentality that Canadians have. In Toronto, actually.

That's the hockey mentality at work? (laughs) Yeah, I guess.

Being a Toronto native, what's it been like attending high school in the United States? My first year I was in Atlanta and I had some problems -- I was a little bit homesick. Then when I went to Texas, I adjusted. I had more Canadians on my team, and that made me feel more at home. Now it's no problem to me, you know?

You suffered a broken foot during your high-school season last year. How's it feeling? I broke it in January and I came back in May for the Bob Gibbons Tournament. I guess I came back too early, but I'm just trying to rest right now and do more rehabbing, and trying to get it better.

Can you dunk? Because you might have a hard time living up to the standard Dominic James has set in his time at MU. Yeah, I can dunk right now. But with my foot, I'm just trying to take it easy right now, just putting my hand over the rim and laying it up. (The fans) will love my passes, man. (laughs) They'll love my IQ, my passes, my leadership and what I bring to the table.



http://blogs.jsonline.com/muhoops/archive/2008/08/14/interview-with-junior-cadougan.aspx

[4everwarriors]

I'm down with this cat if he's half as good as he sounds.

[reinko]

Someone should let him know that potatoes have carbs in them.     Welcome Junior!

[MUONTOP]

Junior Cadougan

In the auxilary gym, Grassroot's point guard used his great strength and penetration ability to get to the rim virtually at will. The Canadian squad went on a 11-0 run early in the second half to build a near 20 point victory and cruised to victory.

Cadougan has been on the radar for some time. He's a thick point guard in the mold of Khalid El-Amin, and could stand to drop another 15-20 pounds. This is the best shape he's ever been in and his play is a reflection as even though Thompson won the MVP, he was the team's true MVP as he would not let this team lose and came up with all of the key baskets when needed.

Cadougan is a solid passer, but an even better scorer who handles the ball well and uses his thick body to his advantage, getting efenders on his hip and creating shots in the paint. He has a very good first step and although he doesn't get above the rim for exciting finishes, he's a highly effective offensive player.

[mviale]

I dont remember this guy - Khalid El-Amin, but some say he plays much like John Bagley and he was a player.

[Murffieus]

Yea, I see some resemblance----neither were speed merchants or any more than averagel shooters-----but like Amin, Junior sees the floor very well on transition and gets the ball to the right guy----on the half court offense like Amin, Junior will set his guy up for dribble penetration via the crossover dribble and when confronted by a help defense kicks the ball back out to the perimeter real well.

On his ballhandling and passing Junior is very fundamentally sound.

[muhoosier260]

hopefully junior isn't as big a fatass as el-amin

[reinko]

here is a where is he now piece on el-amin.  Apparently he was drafted by the Bulls in the 2nd round...who knew.

http://www.fromcourtside.com/2007/11/what-ever-happened-to-khalid-el-amin.html

And Michael Redd was still on the board...before Bulls fans jump down my throat on me, yes that is still not as worse as drafting Tractor Traylor before Dirk Nowitski, the Big Dog before Jason Kidd, or Bogut over Chris Paul.

[muarmy81]

here is a where is he now piece on el-amin.  Apparently he was drafted by the Bulls in the 2nd round...who knew.

http://www.fromcourtside.com/2007/11/what-ever-happened-to-khalid-el-amin.html

And Michael Redd was still on the board...before Bulls fans jump down my throat on me, yes that is still not as worse as drafting Tractor Traylor before Dirk Nowitski, the Big Dog before Jason Kidd, or Bogut over Chris Paul.

Actually Bulls fans knew...I actually thought that Chicago took him in the 1st round, I guess I'm surprised Reinsdorf wasn't that stupid...either way the bulls draft much better than the Bears do. (On Offense anyways)