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Junior Cadougan’s “be humble and hungry” attitude has always inspired his teammates, said his former coach Ro Russell, who founded the Toronto-based basketball development program Grassroots Canada.
After the crossfire shooting incident of his innocent younger brother Shaquan, who thankfully survived that ordeal, Russell encouraged the young prospect to change environments so that he could focus on what he does best — basketball.
“He was very distraught about it. Very upset that someone would do something like that to his family and harm his little brother,” Russell recalls. “I told him to channel his anger and frustration into being more motivated to do great things and reach his goals.”
Cadougan was ranked one of the top point-guards in the U.S. when he graduated from Christian Life Center Academy in Texas in 2008. He was Heavily recruited by Louisville, but decided on playing for Buzz Williams and the Golden Eagles. Cadougan cited comfort for his choice of enrollment.
Junior is part of a family of ballers. Mom grew up playing netball on the Caribbean island of St. Vincent; her oldest son Kerlon played for Humber College; and now 10-year-old Shaquam plays at C. W. Jefferys. As a short and seventh grader, Cadougan was “light years ahead” of his teammates at Oakdale Park Middle School, said Russell. Now 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, Russell looks forward to seeing how far the young player will go.
“He’s come through a lot. He’s come from a tough environment, tough circumstances. There’s a lot of struggles and situations he had to go through,” Russell said.
Marquette (11th seed) made it as far as the sweet 16 in the 2011 NCAA March Madness beating Xavier and Syracuse. Cadougan will cherish that experience for a life time. With so many Canadian kids fulfilling their basketball dreams, Cadougan is one of the pioneers of whats we see transforming in Canada basketball today. Junior Cadougan, with a sweet 16 appearance, has become an example of heart and determination of Canada basketball.
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