The Gators made another big time list of final schools when silky smooth big man Kadin Shedrick included Florida amongst Indiana, Louisville, Providence, Virginia, Xavier, Wake Forest, and Wisconsin in his personal Elite Eight. 6’10” and 200 pounds, Shedrick plays the game with an ease and fluidity you don’t often see from a big man. Sporting the ability to dice apart a defense with his passing or jump shooting from the high post he’s a player a coach can build an offense around. Whether you want him to space the floor with his shooting or showcase his ability to finish with both hands down low, his offensive potential is what has me the most intrigued. One of the biggest risers this summer, he went from completely unranked by multiple recruiting services to the most recent top-100s, evidenced by the potent list of final schools he holds offers from. The Holly Springs, North Carolina product was generous enough to fit me into his schedule to talk about his Gators offer.
EF: Hey Kadin! Thanks so much for being willing to do this and thank you so much for your time. Can you start by telling people about your game for those who haven’t been able to watch you play?
KS: I like to stretch the floor and I have the ability to shoot threes. I do well passing out of the post and I’m a good rim protector.
EF: I’m really impressed by your ability to pass the ball from the post. Do you think passing is a skill some people overlook in big men, and how did you develop that talent?
KS: I would consider myself unselfish and I love to get my teammates involved and find the open man in order to help us win the game. I think it is overlooked.
EF: You’ve had the chance to work out a lot with David West, a player with a long NBA career based around his ability to score and rebound. What are some things he has passed on to you?
KS: David has helped me a lot with knowing what to do at what times. He makes sure we all play hard and do the things that coaches want to see.
EF: When did Florida first offer you and what did they have to say?
KS: Florida offered on Thursday and Friday and they talked about how they liked what they saw from me and how I’m able to stretch the floor and stuff like that.
EF: The Gators were one of your most recent offers. As a recruit, how much value do you put on a team or a coach that offers you early versus one that offers you later in your high school career?
KS: I don’t hold anything against coaches that came late.
EF: You’ve been rising really quickly as of late in the recruiting rankings. How has that rise happened, has it been you adding to your game or has it been that analysts and coaches have finally seen you play?
KS: It’s probably been a little bit of both. I’ve developed a ton over the last couple of years and I think the light started to come on in July.
EF: You’re a player that could play either the 4 or 5 at the college level. Does it matter to you what position you’ll play and is there a position you feel like you’d be better in?
KS: I prefer the 4.
EF: What things are most important to you as you evaluate your final schools?
KS: The most important things to me are my relationships with the coaching staff, I want to go somewhere that can develop me and I want to go somewhere where I can fit into the system.
EF: What is something you’ll be focusing on regarding your game as you’re entering your senior year of high school?
KS: During senior year I want to bring my school the first winning season. My end goal is to win the conference and make a run in states and compete at that level.
EF: Thank you so much for your time! I really appreciate it. One last question. I’ve heard you have size 19 feet. First of all, is that true (laughs) and secondly, what is your favorite shoe to play in?
KS: Yeah I where a 19 (laughs) My favorite shoes are probably the crazy explosive highs. I also like the Dame 4s.
EF: I appreciate your time Kadin!