by Melissa Smith | Staff Writer
Freshman Recee Caldwell gets prepared for practice like any other normal day: she goes to her gym locker, puts on her jersey, straps on her Nike hyperdunks, and walks out into the gym. But, this time there are 2 scouts in the bleachers who are waiting to watch her play. No pressure, right?
For Recee, who is starting point guard on the v-squad, colleges like Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Baylor, and UTSA are coming to her practices at Johnson, and others like Texas A&M have contacted her to let her know that they will be watching her play in the near future. Although only a freshman, she is already attracting a lot of attention. She became involved with basketball at an early age.
“I started playing when I was 3, but I was around it my whole life. As a baby, I was in the gyms already,” Caldwell said.
Her father and club team coach, Ray Caldwell, has helped to inspire her passion for the sport by providing encouragement and teaching her the game.
“My dad has taught me everything I know. All my relatives say I play like him when they see me play,” she said.
Coach Caldwell has supported his daughter the whole way through and recognizes the effort and progress she has made. He can be tough but doesn’t hesitate to praise her when she does something well.
“She was basically born in the gym – she’s always been around the game. As far as skill, that comes from thousands and thousands of hours from working on the game. Coaching her is like killing two birds with one stone; I get to spend bonding time with my daughter and help her in the game,” he said.
Recee practices 4 to 5 days a week in addition to school practice, which includes an hour during 4th period and 2 hours after school.
“[On] the days I don’t work out, I still do my dribbles and abs,” she said.
Basketball is one of Recee’s main priorities, but school is also top on her list. Though her main focus would appear to be on basketball, she is also a diligent student.
“School does [come first]; basketball is very important, but school always comes first. I’ll stay up doing my homework if I have to,” she said.
After years of practice, Recee is now one of the best players in the city. Holding the interest of scouts from all over the state could be considered a lot of pressure for just a 14 year old. However, Recee is confident in her abilities and ready to show the colleges what she can do.
“The scouts don’t intimidate me at all. I mean, I’ve been preparing for this my whole life,” she said.
Recee wants to play in college and is considering a professional career in the WNBA.
“I want to make a career [out of basketball] because I just love the game.”
Colleges all over seem to know who Recee Caldwell is. Through the years, her name has gotten around.
“When you play club ball, you attend what we call exposure events. The NCAA has 2 periods where they come out and see club teams. She’s been going since she was 11 years old,” Coach Caldwell said.
Her father helps to manage the college offers by talking with scouts and arranging for times when they can see her play.
“I’m permitted as a father to call coaches almost anytime during ‘dead times’. I find out if they are interested when they give [us] a form letter, and when we receive a form letter, I will contact them.”
Because various scouts have shown their interest, Recee is aware of her many options in choosing a college.
“I have favorites, but I’m not going to say [them] right now,” Recee said.
“I have preferences, but its too early,” her father added.
Recee listed the different factors she will consider when making the decision.
“I have to get along with the coach, I have to feel welcomed, location, alumni, and how I fit into to the team.”
With the support from her father and her amazing athletic skill, Recee Caldwell has a bright future ahead of her.
“First and foremost, [what] I want [for my daughter to get out of her basketball career is] an education,” Coach Caldwell said. “Anything after that is icing on the cake.”
