Unsigned Series Schadrac Casimir
The New England Recruiting Report’s “Unsigned Series” will profile some of the region’s top available prospects remaining in the class of 2014.
Schadrac Casimir couldn’t have been much better last year as a senior at Trinity Catholic High School. He led Trinity Catholic to the finals of the Class L state championship and was named All-FCIAC and All-State among a variety of other accolades.
He averaged 26 points per game, broke a school record with 772 points on the season, and had a 50 point performance earlier in the year. He also averaged just under 5 assists per game while picking off 3 steals, shooting 42% from the three-point line, and 90% from the free-throw line according to the Stamford Advocate.
Yet the only numbers that seemed to resonate with college coaches were 5 and 10, as in feet and inches, his listed height during his senior season.
Intent to prove his game would translate against bigger bodies and higher levels of competition, Casimir made a commitment to do a post-graduate year at South Kent shortly after the conclusion of his high school season.
He began that process on the AAU circuit, starring with the same USAD team he had come up the ranks with. By the time the July evaluation period rolled around, he and his team were both rolling. They earned the title at the BasketBull Championships during the first week of the period, including a win over McDonald’s All-American Isaiah Whitehead and the Juice All-Stars. A week later it was a run to the semifinals of the Hall of Fame National Invitational before culminating their summer with a run to the finals of Live in the A.C.
Since arriving at South Kent, Casimir has taken his production to all new levels, very literally proving himself against the top competition the country has to offer, and while he’s picked up offers from Sacred Heart and Iona, his recruitment still doesn’t equate to his production.
“Schadrac is probably the most underrated player I’ve ever had,” South Kent head coach Kelvin Jefferson said. “He’s been asked over and over to prove himself and he has never disappointed. Unfortunately most coaches only evaluate him on his size.”
Size is, of course, relevant at the next level, but only to the level which it impacts the game. Casimir has proven he has no problem getting his shot off, has never been bullied or overpowered by opposing guards, and even has an understanding of how to make his size work for him – playing lower to the ground than anyone else on the floor is capable of doing.
He’s averaging 17 points per game this season for South Kent along with over 3 assists and 2 steals while shooting 43% from the floor.
Perhaps most importantly is what he’s done against the toughest teams on South Kent’s schedule. He had 36 points against Brewster Academy at the National Prep Showcase, matched that total against Northfield Mount Hermon, and went for 32 against St. Thomas More.
“Schadrac may be the best sub-six foot player in the league,” Jefferson said. “He is a high-major scorer and very underrated passer and defender. A great team guy.”
And undoubtedly one of the best guards still on the board in the class of 2014.
Schadrac Casimir