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Shooting guard CJ Fredrick is returning home.
Covington Catholic’s single-season scoring leader, who also helped captain them to a state title in 2018, will return to the Bluegrass state and play for the Kentucky Wildcats.
His help was desperately needed after the Cats struggled from deep a season ago. After playing two seasons in Iowa, missing a handful of games throughout his time there with injuries, Fredrick is hoping to have a strong return in his third collegiate season.
Leaving Iowa must not have been an easy decision, especially after the Hawkeyes wreaked havoc on the Big Ten. With a diehard fanbase there as well, Fredrick gave some love to Big Blue Nation following a camp at his home high school on Saturday.
“(In) Iowa, there’s no professional sports teams either. So, those fans are really good... But, here, it’s a little different. BBN, these fans, they're the best in the country. There’s no doubt about it,” Fredrick said. “I’m just excited to play in front of fans again,” he continued.
Both players and those that love the program will be excited to get back into the arena. BBN does have one of the diehard fanbases in the nation, and that could have played a part in Fredrick’s decision to return home.
Well, that, and the fact that the Wildcats have produced many big-name NBA stars. Labeled a shooter, Fredrick drilled over 40 percent of his attempts from downtown in his final season with the Hawkeyes.
Originally a three-star recruit, Fredrick is set to have a big role on the Wildcats roster. Combine him and the returning Keion Brooks with players inbound like TyTy Washington, and this roster is starting to round into one of the best in the nation.
Everything is falling into place, and clearly both CJ and I expected a raucous crowd to greet the young players in the fall.
"It feels really good to be back."
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) June 6, 2021
Former Cov Cath state champ @cj_fredrick came home to help with UK's traveling basketball camp.
He spoke with us about his homecoming and @UKAthletics was the best spot for him. @fox19 @CovCathColonels @ScottRuthsatz pic.twitter.com/7BiuRhRcGc
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