Amaree Abram Q&A
Updated: Jun 11, 2022
One of the biggest stock risers in this early season has been 2022 Amaree Abram of Southern California Academy (CA) and Houston Hoops (TX). Abram, a 6’3” guard, brings a well-rounded game with his ability to space the floor, make plays in the open court, and get stops on defense. Holding the keys to Coach Julius V’s offense, the southpaw has developed nicely into an all-around player while refining his skills operating the pick-and-roll. Abram was originally committed to Texas A&M, but since reopening his recruitment in November, he has become one of the hottest names on the market.
As part of the Pro Insight Q&A series, Abram talked about modeling his game after James Harden and D’Angelo Russell, the player development and winning culture at SCA, his recruitment update, and more.
For the next installment of the Pro Insight Q&A series, we present 2022 prospect Amaree Abram, from Port Arthur, Texas:
Pro Insight: How did you get to where you are today?
Amaree Abram: I’ve been playing basketball since I was about six. I was always talented at a young age and then I started playing select and AAU in the Houston area. I used to play with Texas Pro up until like eight grade. Then I went to JL3 before going to [Houston] Hoops to play my 17U. I’ve just been around the game since I was young and I developed the whole time to the player I am today. With the help of my family, they pushed me through adversity. That’s how I got to where I am today.
PI: Does basketball run in the family?
AA: Yes, my dad. My uncle played a little bit. My cousins.
PI: What was the highest level they played basketball?
AA: My dad went overseas. My cousins played overseas.
PI: Did you play any other sports growing up?
AA: Yeah, I played baseball. I was very good at baseball. My uncle had a chance to try out for the league so I was into baseball early. I used to play both, but as I grew older, it just became time consuming and I just wanted to focus on basketball.
PI: For those that aren’t familiar with your game, what are your greatest strengths and play style?
AA: My greatest strength is getting downhill, going to the lane, and finding my teammates. I'm good off of pick-and-rolls. I can read the help. I can see where the next pass is. And I'm good on defense, too. I can read as a defender and see his moves.
PI: What do you feel you still need to improve on the most? What have you been working on?
AA: Right now, just staying consistent with my jump shot. Some say I’m streaky, but I feel like I'm a good shooter. So I’m just trying to focus on my jump shot, just learning the ins and outs of being a point guard, and being a leader on the floor.
PI: Have you heard KPJ and Harden comps before?
AA: Yeah. Definitely.
PI: Besides those two, who do you model your game after or study on film?
AA: I would say I model my game off Harden and D'Angelo Russell. I think I use my stepback sorta like Harden and I’m so smooth, I feel like I’m like D’Angelo Russell. I like to get to my mid-range pull-up.
PI: What are your current measurements?
AA: I’m around 6’3” and I’m around 190 lbs.
PI: Describe your experience with Houston Hoops.
AA: It was a great experience, great coaches. I played around some high-level dudes and I got coached by a pro so I was just getting better every day.
PI: Describe the culture at SCA. What is practice like?
AA: The culture is way different. Before I came to SCA, I thought I was playing hard, but SCA is another level. I got to SCA and I've developed into a better player. I just know the game more and I'm more confident.
PI: What’s one thing you have learned from Coach Julius V?
AA: Just little intricacies off the pick-and roll, creating separation off that, just not taking plays off, just being a dog a hundred-percent, all the time.
PI: What are your short term goals you have for yourself as a player?
AA: Just be the best player I can be. Finish high on ESPN rankings. I want to be at least top-30 in the country before the season is over with and winning GEICO Nationals.
PI: Do you feel you guys are still underrated nationally?
AA: I feel like we’re still underrated. We still have way more in store that y'all haven't even seen. We’ve just been an underdog and just playing with a chip on our shoulder, because we definitely have something to prove.
PI: What are your biggest interests outside of basketball?
AA: Listening to music, hanging out with my friends. I used to play video games, but I kind of grew out of it. And hanging out with my family.
PI: Who are your favorite music artists?
AA: Probably Lil Baby, Lil Durk, Young Thug, and Gunna.
PI: If you were stuck forever on a deserted island and had all the food, water, and shelter you needed — what three personal items would you bring?
AA: I’d definitely bring my favorite gummy worms. I’d definitely bring my phone and a charger. And definitely a pair of my shoes.
PI: What are your favorite kicks to hoop in right now?
AA: I’d say Kobe Protros.
PI: You have one hashtag to describe yourself. What is it?
AA: That’s a good question. Probably #underrated.
PI: If you weren’t pursuing a career as a professional hooper, what do you think you would choose to do?
AA: I’d probably be a doctor, or something.
PI: Is medicine something you might be interested in pursuing in college?
AA: Yes, my field is kinesiology and business.
PI: What’s your recruitment update? Who have you heard from the most since decommitting?
AA: Memphis, Kansas, Stanford, Xavier, St. John’s, Howard, Missouri, Utah, and Ole Miss are schools that have reached out and been involved.
PI: This time around, what will ultimately be your deciding factors when making your choice?
AA: Definitely do your research. See how many guards they have, see how many are coming back, see the history of the school, and take your time with the process. Make sure it’s the right choice. Make sure you pray about it. Talk about it with your family and just make sure this is the decision you want.
PI: Besides your family, who has helped navigate the process?
AA: Definitely my coach.
PI: How would you define the word ‘success?’
AA: Success means perfecting your craft and you become good at it. Success is just the outcome.
PI: Who’s someone you really look up to?
AA: Honestly, I don’t have a role model. I looked up to Kevin Durant for basketball, but I feel like it changed with all these young guys coming in. These rookies, I look up to them. Just ‘cause I used to watch them in high school, just seeing them develop makes you gritty, too.
PI: Is there a particular player in the league or college whom you specifically watched?
AA: Definitely Kenneth Lofton, Jr. from LA Tech.
PI: Name four words that best describe you.
AA: Laid-back. Cool. Funny. Self-motivated.
PI: At the end of the day, what do you hope to be remembered for as a player and as a person?
AA: Just my presence, just know that I was the best player I could be and I impacted many young lives and I could be considered one of the greatest to ever play the game.