2020 guard Jadrian Tracey talks move back to Riverdale, recruitment and more

<p>The Fort Myers area just got a lot more interesting with 2020 guard Jadrian Tracey now back in the fold at Riverdale.</p> <p>A 6'6", 200-pound Fort Myers native, Tracey, spent his junior campaign at Oldsmar Christian in the Tampa Bay/Clearwater area. Prior to that, he was at Riverdale as a sophomore alongside his older brother and current Daytona State guard Jacob Tracey and as a freshman at Southwest Florida Christian.</p> <p>Riverdale has won 18 games apiece the last two seasons, compiling a 36-15 overall record. The Tracey brothers helped the Raiders reach the Class 8A region final in 2017-18, winning at North Port, in a super tough environment, 56-55 in the semifinal before falling to St. Pete to lose out on a state Final Four appearance.</p> <p>Jadrian Tracey says when he made his decision to transfer schools for his upcoming senior season, he didn't want to go to any other public school than Riverdale.</p> <blockquote> <p>"I'm trying to do something Riverdale has never done before. I'm not trying to come back to Fort Myers and have everyone forget about me. I came back to Riverdale because I wanted to be somewhere I was comfortable," Tracey told Prep Hoops. "I didn't want to go into a situation where I'm hoping and guessing what it is going to be. I decided to stay and do something special here at Riverdale."</p> </blockquote> <p>Both of Tracey's older brothers graduated from Riverdale, a lot of his family have as well. He says he is looking forward to having his parents and family come watch his games this season.</p> <p>As for being the senior leader for a young group versus a sophomore playing alongside his senior brother just two years ago, Tracey had this to say.</p> <blockquote> <p>"I see everything differently than I did my sophomore year at Riverdale because he [Jacob] was on me so much and see why that was," Tracey said. "When you have a young group, it is not more about playing, it is more about the mental side of it.  He [Jacob] calls me every day to make sure I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing. The stuff he learns up in Daytona, he will teach me everything. Last night, he told me about a workout that I need to be doing."</p> </blockquote> <p>Alongside Tracey this season, Riverdale has an emerging big in 2021 6'8" forward Tyrone Baker, who is a talented shot blocker and inside presence. Also, 2020 6'2" guard Charles Cooper is a reliable knockdown shooter and 2020 5'11" guard Isaiah Jones can handle the rock.</p> <blockquote> <p>"We are trying to do better than the run we made when I was last here two years ago. I grew up with a lot of these boys," Tracey said. "We went to elementary school together and played at the park together. We all have a feel for each other. With CJ, me, Tyrone and Isaiah [Jones], the chemistry at guard is solid. I think we will be really good, especially for this area."</p> </blockquote> <p>He had surgery back in April for a hand injury and missed the entire spring AAU session with Team Breakdown, but came back in July for a few tournaments. He said he didn't have the same feel for the game when he returned, but he is well over that mental hump.</p> <p>Tracey holds four offers currently from Murray State, FIU, Tennessee Tech, Canisius. He also has drawn interest from Delaware, UCF, Illinois State, Drake, East Carolina and Pittsburgh.</p> <blockquote> <p>"A lot of schools tell me that I could play the point and the 2. I like that a lot. They like my length, size, ball handling and my consistent jumper.," Tracey said. "They want me to improve on my defense."</p> </blockquote> <p>One of the most notable things about Tracey is the change in haircuts. He shaved off his dreads earlier this summer, which were his look for quite some time.</p> <blockquote> <p>"It was more of a maturity thing. I've had dreads since you've probably known me. It was sort of like I outgrew them," he said. "I wanted a new me and a new start."</p> </blockquote> <p>In the revamped Class 6A grouping, Tracey and Riverdale will have to compete with the likes of Lehigh, Dunbar, Palmetto Ridge and South Fort Myers in its district-12. Lehigh has made two state Final Four trips in the past three seasons.</p> <p>Regardless, with Tracey running the show, Riverdale has a very good chance to make something happen. He is a big guard, who can score in bunches, push the tempo, get everyone involved and if his leadership matures further than this should be a highly successful season under new head coach Darrin Wallace (previously at Fort Myers Canterbury).</p>