Prospect Watch: Deandre Campbell (2018)
Class of 2018 point guard Deandre Campbell knows what its likes to play a variety of roles on a basketball team, and do them well.
During the high school season at Parkway Central, Campbell must carry the offensive load while being the floor leader and all-around multi-tasker for the team to be successful. During the grassroots season, he plays for a talented Ramey-Jets 17U team that is loaded with backcourt talent.
Those two experiences have helped the stocky 6’0″ Campbell develop into an all-around guard that has attracted interest from schools such as Eastern Illinois, Missouri State, SIUE, Lindenwood, Dartmouth, Lehigh, Navy and Tennessee-Chattanooga.
With the Ramey-Jets United, Campbell is part of a three-guard lineup that includes major college recruits Courtney Ramey (Louisville commit) and Torrence Watson. A big scorer at the high school level himself, Campbell takes a lesser role offensively, but does all of the other things that makes the team successful. Campbell’s work has helped the Ramey-Jets qualify for the Adidas Uprsing Gauntlet Finale in South Carolina next month.
“My role on the Ramey-Jets is to be a team player,” he said. “I dive for loose balls, take charges and hit crucial free throws. I do all of things that may go unnoticed, but is required for a team to win.”
When he goes back to his high school team, Campbell morphs into a physical beast of a scoring point guard who can get buckets and lead his team. As a junior, Campbell averaged 21.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.7 rebounds and 2.0 steals in leading the Colts to a 22-10 record and a berth in the Class 4 Final Four for the first time since 2003. The Colts finished in fourth place. He also shot 70 percent from the free throw line while attempting a whopping 307 free throws.
“Going to the Final Four was one of the greatest feelings ever and I’ll never forget it,” Campbell said. “Even though we came up short, I was glad my team and I got that amazing experience.”
Campbell will return for his senior year with most of the nucleus back from last season’s Final Four team.
“My goals for next are the same as they have been the past three years with Coach (Rick) Kirby,” Campbell said. “We want 20 wins, a conference championship and a district championship. And if we’re blessed enough to do it, I want to make another Final Four experience.”