QEA alum has NBA dreams
Whether Juvonte Reddic of Winston-Salem makes it in the NBA is anyone’s guess. Reddic, a rugged power forward from Virginia Commonwealth, has the physical attributes which will serve him well at the next level. Those attributes are innate and cannot be taught.
Juvonte Reddic scores for VCU.
At 6-feet-9 inches, 250 pounds, Reddic fills the lanes nicely on the fast break and he crashes the boards with a ferocity that few can match. On the other hand, there are parts of his game that must improve if he is make the grade in “The League.”
Prior to the NBA Draft held two weeks ago, Reddic was viewed by several draft websites as a solid shot to be selected late in the second round. That didn’t happen. Even so, the consensus among the media pundits is that he’ll get the opportunity to showcase his wares in the NBA’s Summer League. As of July 6, he was still an unsigned free agent.
Reddic, who graduated from Quality Education Academy in 2010, enjoyed a fruitful career at Virginia Commonwealth. He’s the only player in school history to finish his career ranked among the top 20 in scoring (14th at 1,438 points) and the top 10 in rebounds (third at 895); blocked shots (sixth at 123); and steals (eighth at 160). His development as a collegian was instrumental in the Rams’ climb to one of the nation’s premier mid-major basketball programs. VCU has advanced to the NCAA Tournament for four consecutive years.
Reddic closed out his senior season as the Rams top rebounder (8.4 per game) and he was second in scoring (11.8 points), blocked shots (1.2 per game), field goal percentage (.509) and steals (1.3 per game). He had his best season as a junior, averaging 14.6 points and 8.1 rebounds while shooting 56.9 percent from the field.
At this juncture, it’s speculation as to where Reddic, who graduated with a business degree from VCU, might wind up in his first season as a pro. The most likely scenario is that he’ll refine his skills in the NBA’s D-League. Playing in Europe is another possibility.
The scouting reports give mixed reviews about Reddic’s immediate readiness for the NBA. His chief assets: imposing physique, overall athleticism, and defensive prowess in guarding multiple positions in pick-and-roll situations. As for those facets of his game that need work (jump shot footwork, low-post defense), the good news is that those areas are correctable.
When Reddic develops a reliable mid-range jumper and adds to his offensive versatility, he’ll be in a very favorable position to earn a spot on a NBA roster. Is there a reasonable chance for that to happen in the immediate future? Who knows?
Stay tuned for further developments.
