WEST ORANGE, N.J. — Reggie Cameron signed on to play college basketball at Georgetown with the expectation that he would compete in the Big East Conference.
But now of course Georgetown is one of seven Catholic schools that has said “peace out” to the Big East and will leave the conference by June 30, 2015 — at the latest.
So where does that leave the 6-foot-8 Cameron — Georgetown’s lone signee in the Class of 2013 — and his future Georgetown teammates going forward?
“The seven Catholic schools that will all be in it together, those are seven really good schools right there,” Cameron told SNY.tv after scoring 14 points as Hudson (N.J.) Catholic beat St. Peter’s Prep, 64-46, at the Hoop Group Showcase at West Orange High School.
“And then they’re talking about adding Xavier, Butler, Gonzaga, Dayton. Those are some more good schools, so I think it’s still going to be a power conference whatever happens.”
He added: “Xavier, they dominate the A-10 every year. Butler, they just beat [No. 1] Indiana [Saturday]. Gonzaga is a national power every year and then there are other schools like Dayton that are good in the A-10. They’re talking about VCU maybe.”
Still, Cameron said he would miss the annual Georgetown-Syracuse battles once Syracuse leaves for the ACC next season.
“Yeah, of course,” he said. “I watch the Georgetown-Syracuse games every year, whether it’s at the Verizon Center or at the Carrier Dome. But we still have great schools. Memphis coming to the Big East, that’s a great school.”
Next year, when Cameron is a freshman at Georgetown, the Big East is slated to have 18 schools, including new additions Memphis and Temple. Louisville (ACC) and Rutgers (Big Ten) are also expected to remain next season.
Cameron said he hopes the new Catholic conference retains the Big East name, which St. John’s President Father Donald J. Harrington said Saturday was a possibility.
Georgetown assistants Mike Brennan and Kevin Broadus were on hand at the event, and Cameron said they had discussed Georgetown’s move with him recently.
“I talk to Coach Broadus maybe every other day, so we keep in touch,” Cameron said.
On Saturday, Georgetown coach John Thompson III said the decision by the seven Catholic schools to break away was “not an emotional decision.”
Regardless, Cameron has his own season to worry about, his final one in high schol.
Hudson Catholic coach Nick Mariniello said of Cameron: “We have to do a better job of getting him the ball in scoring position, which I thought he was defended well but we have to do a better job of running more stuff. But his rebounding, his leadership on both ends of the floor has been tremendous.”
Cameron said he has big goals going forward.
“Win a state championship, to tell you the truth,” said Cameron, whose team was routed by Kyle Anderson and St. Anthony, 53-30, in the North Non-Public B final last year. “Don’t leave like we did last year with a bad taste in our mouth.”
Photo: Hoop Group
