Iowa offers 2018 guard
C.J. Fredick has known Fran McCaffery for a long time.
The relationship began well before basketball was involved in the equation. C.J.’s uncle, Joe Fredrick played at Notre Dame under Digger Phelps when McCaffery was an assistant under the Irish legend.
The relationship changed a bit this summer when the Iowa head coach and members of his staff started showing up at his Indiana Elite AAU games. The 6-foot-3 guard from Park Hills, KY had a good game in one of McCaffery’s first viewings and tracked him the rest of the month of July.
On Tuesday evening, McCaffery and assistant coach Sherman Dillard made their way to Covington Catholic High School for an open gym workout to get another look at the talented 2018 guard and before they left, the Hawkeyes had extended a scholarship offer.
“I was with my uncle Joe, who coaches at my high school and Coach McCaffery came over and said he wanted to offer me a scholarship, Fredrick said. “At first I couldn’t believe it. I’ve watched Iowa play a lot because Coach McCaffery is there and always thought I would be a great fit there and with my uncle there and having played for him, it was a pretty special moment.”
Fredrick feels that Iowa’s style of play and the way they move the ball and allow shooters to create and shoot the ball is perfect for the way he likes to play basketball. Last season as a sophomore, he averaged 10.7 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists per game as a sophomore. Fredrick describes himself as more of a two guard who could be a point guard because he likes to create off the dribble.
The next step in the recruiting process for Fredrick is to make an unofficial visit to Iowa in late October or early November. He reports offers from Miami (OH), Ball State, Northern Kentucky, and William & Mary, along with interest from Xavier (who will be in for an open gym shortly) and Nebraska.
Fredrick, who describes himself as an Iowa and Notre Dame fan, might have a another growth spurt in his future, if the heights of his father and uncle are any indication.
“I actually grew about three inches this summer, so I am up to 6-3. My dad is 6-7 and my uncle is 6-6, so maybe I get a few more inches in the next year or so,” he said.