Cameron Harris '16 Recruiting Profile

My name is Cameron Harris. I'm an international student from Aberdeen, Scotland, with a dream to live, study and play basketball in the United States. Last year, I spent the academic year in Warrenton, Virginia as an exchange student, staying with a host family and, attending Highland School, the highest ranked school academically in the state. I had the best year I could have asked for, making friends for life and playing basketball at a high level. Since returning home, all I can think about is returning to study and play in the U.S. 

I started playing basketball in my hometown of Aberdeen but quickly became involved with the Scotland National Team. I then committed to playing for my club team, Tayside Musketeers, which was in the city of Dundee which required significant travel for practice and games. However, it was worth it to play Division 1 basketball. In my second year there I was named Captain and then MVP and Player's MVP. In the summer of 2014, I was selected as a U.K representative on an International Select team called the International Colonials. We came together for a month-long tour around New England, playing against high school and club teams, finishing with an 18-5 record. I made some great friends and acquired a valuable insight into America before moving over in the fall. For this next year I will be playing with a club team, Granite City Grizzlies, at Senior Men's age group (18+).  After our season in Virginia, coming second in our conference, we started off-season work. We lifted three times per week and did skills and shooting the other 3 days, with some pick-up, too. I attended an AAU try-out at Potomac High School, near D.C. and was scouted and asked to join the team. Unfortunately, being an hour away and living with a host-family, it was going to be too difficult to commit as my situation was not easy. However, it was a blessing to be highly regarded as a strong player in amongst some of the best in Northern Virginia. I also played soccer in the fall of 2014 to keep my fitness levels up for the basketball season. We took our team to the state finals and I received all-conference and was in the top goal scorers on my team.  

I attended Cults Academy in Aberdeen and, there, I achieved a good set of national grades (Scottish Qualifications Association) in subjects such as Math, Physics, English, Spanish and more. An official transcript is available on my profile. In America, the classroom was not the primary focus of my experience; however, I did do seven subjects in, what was, my junior year. These included two languages and a Guitar class. I am currently undertaking a one-year course, studying "Introduction to Business" (SQA Level 7) to prepare for Business as my chosen major in America. This way, I will be ready for the academic side of college with a head-start on some of the basics to put me in the best position possible. Before i left Virginia, I also sat my first SAT, scoring an overall score of 1680.

I have very good leadership skills. Captaining my club team and being chosen as captain of Highland School, has taught me how to set good examples to my teammates and keep them focused and driven. I take pride in being a leader and I feel as if it comes naturally to me, whether that is on the basketball court or in a classroom (e.g. group work). I also take pride in being a good sportsman and I will always show the most respect to the opposition, referees and fans. This earned me the Whole Highland School Sportsmanship Award. This was for always being respectful to everyone in the sport yet continuing to play hard, lead by example and take pride in the jersey I was wearing, in basketball and soccer. In the community, I voluntarily coach kids at my school which involves making up training sessions, leading the practices and coaching them in competitive games. I have also been an assistant coach for a big summer camp in my area of the country. This helps to puts the game in a different perspective, seeing things from the coach's view as well as the player which I can then take into account during my own team practices. It also feels very rewarding, teaching younger kids and helping them develop a love for the game and acting as a role model that they can look up to. 

Ever since I started playing, my ambition has been to take my game to as high a level as possible. I feel so lucky in the experiences I have had, both in basketball and the lifestyle in America. The thought of coming back to play in college is a dream come true. I am more motivated than ever and am working every day to prepare myself for both the physical and academic side, and I am very excited for the opportunities that lie ahead.