Recruiting Report: Tucson Redding (2018)
Tucson Redding, a 6-2 point guard out of Overland, has made a dramatic transformation over the past year. It’s a rise that has taken him from a largely unheralded, under-the-radar player to one has received two Division I offers before even hitting his final July on the AAU circuit.
But if you think Redding is satisfied by what he’s achieved to this point, think again.
“I have to work harder to get more,” Redding said of his reaction to receiving offers from Portland State and Idaho. “It was a pretty good feeling, but it has just motivated me to work harder.”
Hard work has been a staple of the eye-popping improvements Redding has made in the past year. Redding has added “10 to 15 pounds of solid muscle,” building the type of frame that has had college coaches remarking that he is ready to play at the Division I level right now from a physical standpoint. Redding is up to 175 pounds on that 6-2 frame, having added mass without sacrificing any of the quickness that helps him get by defenders off the dribble.
A strong upper body helps Redding absorb and finish through contact, a trait he showed again and again while leading Overland to the Metro State Team Camp championship over the weekend.
Overland coach Danny Fisher has praised the work ethic of Redding, who Fisher says refuses to waste any opportunities to improve.
“I make sure I’m doing at least one thing every single day, whether it’s basketball or working out and lifting,” Redding said. “That’s helped a lot. I’m keeping a ball in my hand every day.”
Redding said he benefitted this spring from playing with The Force, the club team that also featured Overland teammates Lalou Oke, Daijon Smith and Goy Wang. The NY2LA circuit has offered strong competition and the exposure that has helped Redding gain increased attention from D-I programs. With three more live periods left, Redding is confident The Force has a big July in store.
“The spring was good,” Redding said. “The practices we had really made us better. We’ve been traveling a lot and in July we’ll be traveling a lot, so I’m pretty excited about it.”
Redding averaged 9.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game as a junior last season for an Overland team that finished 13-11. Loaded with experienced seniors heading into the 2017-18 season, the Trailblazers could be a team that contends for a championship. Redding will be the catalyst.
“The job is not done yet,” Redding said. “I just have to get better every day.”