Class of 2023 guard Cam Estevez of The Canterbury School (CT) and Riverside Hawks (NY) has committed to Rhode Island over Miami (OH), VCU, St. Bonaventure, UCF, and Mississippi State, amongst others. The 6’4” combo guard is a shifty handler who thrives both on and off the ball as a self creator and scoring threat. A standout on the UAA Circuit this past summer, Estevez also earned Class B All-NEPSAC honors in 2021-22, helping his high school program reach the championship game and is poised to build upon that success heading into his senior year.
Estevez spoke with Pro Insight’s Conrad Chow about his decision:
Pro Insight: Talk about your basketball journey — how did you get to where you are today?
Cam Estevez: I mean, it was just a lot of hard work, a lot of sleepless nights. I started off at Cardinal Hayes (NY), and wasn't really playing that much. I wasn’t really all that good and coaching was really big for me. COVID was a blessing for me, personally. It got me better as a person and as a player, everything like that. So COVID was definitely a big help for me basketball-wise and as a person. On Riverside Hawks…what I did this spring, getting more offers, and playing well, taught me how to play more in a system, play with talent and stuff like that, so that’s a bit about my journey.
PI: When it came down to it — what were the most important factors in choosing your next step?
CE: I wanted a school with a great culture. I’ve been a part of good cultures and bad cultures. Obviously, you want a good culture. It’s just positive, everybody up. It’s a winning culture. Winning will take care of it to build the culture and obviously the style of play. I don’t want to be sitting here running a thousand sets. I want to go to a school where they let the guards play, let the guards make decisions. Good or bad, live with the decisions. So yeah, those were the two main things during my recruitment process.
PI: Who did you lean on for guidance throughout the process?
CE: Karriem Meminger, my mentor and AAU coach. I leaned on him very much throughout the recruitment process. And my mom and my brother. I leaned on them, too. We talked about schools, a lot of things. I’d say those three people were my main people.
PI: Without further adieu — where will you be playing next season?
CE: I’ll be committing in the 2023 season to Rhode Island!
PI: Congratulations! What separated Rhode Island from the rest of your options?
CE: I’d say the style of play. [Coach] lets his guards play. He lets his guards go, and I developed a great relationship with head coach Archie Miller. I feel like I can trust him with everything basketball-wise and just as a person. So that made everything stand out.
PI: What was Coach Miller and his staff’s reaction when you told them?
CE: They were obviously very happy. They really wanted me to commit after the visit. You know, I just had to go home and talk with my family, but they were obviously very happy. Everybody on the staff texted me and everybody on the team texted me, too, so it was really cool.
PI: What is Rhode Island getting in Cam Estevez?
CE: They’re getting a winner. I’ll do anything to win. I’ll do whatever it takes to win — that’s the main goal. That’s what coaches want — they want winners. They’re getting a two-way player, a leader, and a great person. They’re getting a guy that is going to make everyone better. A guard who can play both positions on-and-off the ball, bring instant shooting and scoring — something that they are focusing on.
PI: What are you hoping to work on between now and getting to campus?
CE: My overall game and continuing to improve my defense and work on my body. Obviously, college is playing against grown men. Some guys have four, five years of college already so I have to work on my body, trying to get faster, get ready for next summer, obviously.
PI: Lastly, do you have any message for the Rams fans who are thrilled about your commitment?
CE: I’m ready to work! I’m ready to get to work. I’m ready to lead Rhode Island back to the top of the Atlantic 10 where they’re supposed to be at!