CHRISTIE BROTHERS ARE ROLLING
Cameron, following in max’s footsteps, already picking up offers after solid freshman season
The Christie name remains hot in high school basketball. This time, it’s Cameron Christie. The 6-3 guard, who averaged 10 points per game this past season as a freshman at Rolling Meadows, has picked up scholarship offers recently from Michigan State and Ohio State.
It wasn’t long ago when older brother Max broke through as the brightest young prospect in the state — and one of the hottest names in the country in the Class of 2021.
Max Christie, a versatile 6-6 guard, emerged as a star quickly upon entering high school. As a freshman, he averaged 18 points, eight rebounds and 2.9 assists, increasing those numbers as a junior to 26 points and 10 rebounds. He’s among the top 20 seniors-to-be in the nation with his choice of highmajor college programs across the country.
Cameron came into high school with a little less fanfare than his brother, though much of that had to do with his physical makeup. His body type was an obstacle as a freshman. A late-bloomer physically, Cameron had just reached an ultra-slender 6 feet — Max was 6-4 as a freshman — and his frame lacked upperand lower-body strength as he began his varsity career.
“Max was obviously taller and longer as a freshman, but Cameron came in with a little more court sense than Max,” Rolling
Meadows coach Kevin Katovich said. “As he’s started to catch up physically, you can see his game really coming together and taking off.”
Cameron hit a trio of threes and scored 15 points in a December win over Wheeling. He had an 18-point performance against Lyons Township in late December. And he hit four consecutive clutch free throws to secure a win over Prospect in late January in front of Michigan State coach Tom Izzo.
While it would be natural for some to think the offers extended come as a sweetener for
Michigan State and Ohio State as they are in hot pursuit of Max, the fact is the upside in the still-developing Cameron is very tantalizing and easily noticeable. While he was a productive freshman, when it comes to the younger Christie, it’s about evaluation and projection as a prospect.
He has been the City/Suburban Hoops Report’s No. 3 prospect in the Class of 2023 for a reason. This is a very young player with a smooth game, feathery shooting touch and basketball instincts.
Blessed with a sweet-shooting stroke from the three-point line, Cameron shot 40% from beyond the arc. His feel for the game led to him averaging three assists. He plays with confidence and competitiveness. Plus, he’s now easily dunking and continues to grow and add natural strength and weight.
“The tools were always there,” Katovich said. “He’s a pure shooter and super smart with a high basketball IQ. But it’s never easy going straight from playing eighth-grade basketball to varsity basketball. You could see as be became more comfortable, he became more confident.”
It’s that confidence that Cameron believes is the biggest difference from his first varsity game in November to now.
“I’m a lot more confident,” said Cameron, who helped the Mustangs to a 20-win season. “I’m taller, stronger and the time between then and now has just allowed my game to develop more.”
Cameron was eager and excited to take a big step forward this spring and summer. He was poised to open more eyes on the club circuit with the Illinois Wolves and in the June “live” periods with his high school team. That’s all on hold, a big disappointment for the younger, less-established Christie.
“I was excited and ready to test myself against high-level competition,” he said of the offseason opportunities. “I wanted to show where my game has gone and showcase myself now that I had that varsity experience and have been able to catch up with the speed of the game. I feel that I’ve gotten a lot better as a player.”
With the spring shutdown, the schools that have been heavily involved with Max have had an advantage. The coaching staffs have actually seen a lot of Cameron through the recruitment of Max.
“It feels good to have those offers, to know they have taken notice of my ability,” said Cameron, who has been working out, lifting and playing one-on-one with his brother the last few months. “But I know I have to keep working on my game, continue to develop.” ✶
“The tools were always there. He’s a pure shooter and super smart with a high basketball IQ.” Kevin Katovich, Rolling Meadows coach, on Cameron Christie