Caldarella is Mountain West Bound
“It’s a great opportunity to compete at a high level of basketball while also being part of something bigger than myself” is what the 6’3 Cheshire Academy product, James Caldarella, had to say about his recent commitment to join the Air Force Academy and head coach Joe Scott.
When Caldarella arrives in the Mountain West, he’ll fit seamlessly into Air Force’s Princeton offense. Unlike isolation-heavy systems, the Princeton offense naturally creates in-rhythm perimeter looks for shooters through constant movement and precise spacing. Caldarella will thrive finding open spots around the arc off kick-outs from dribble penetration or backdoor cuts. His shooting ability will stretch defenses, keep the middle of the floor open for cutters, and provide a balanced offensive attack.
In early talks with Coach Scott, James said a huge emphasis has been “...the need to get as physically strong as possible so I can be successful in the Mountain West.” Along with garnering more physical strength this offseason James has also put focus on “...ball handling, playing more on the ball, along with my defense.”
Caldarella is far from one-dimensional, showing he can finish through contact at a high rate. While he may not be the biggest player on the floor, he’s more than capable of rising up and competing with anyone. Defensively, his lateral quickness gives him an edge when guarding on the ball, and his strong instincts lead to timely deflections that disrupt the rhythm of opposing offenses.
When discussing the evolution of Caldarella’s game, his BCRI head coach Kyle VanRossum reflected on just how far he’s come. “Way back in the 5th grade...he was our power forward! He has transformed himself into a player who can play either guard spot offensively and guard 1-3 and switch onto post players late in the shot clock.”
VanRossum highlighted that the biggest area of growth has been “how efficient he is on the offensive side of the ball...always making shots and finding ways to score inside with back cuts and offensive rebounds.” He concluded our conversation by stating, “he is capable of being one of the most consistent players in the Mountain West sooner than later.”
In his senior year with Bishop Hendricken, he averaged 14.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game, while shooting an efficient 47.8% from the field and 39.5% from beyond the arc.
Now at Cheshire Academy for his postgraduate season, he’s expected to be a key contributor and help the program improve on last year’s middle-of-the-pack finish. VanRossum noted that this extra year provides him with the chance to “get a little stronger and quicker, an area he has already made significant strides.”
Caldarella’s combo of elite shooting, high basketball IQ, and defensive instincts makes him a natural fit in Air Force’s system. As he gears up for his post-graduate season at Cheshire Academy, he’ll look to elevate his game even further before heading to Colorado Springs. With his work ethic and versatile skill set, James is poised to make an impact for the Falcons in the Mountain West.
James Caldarella