Like most prep athletes, Riverside-Brookfield’s Cameron Mercer is always looking for ways to improve his game.
There’s one method available to him that most kids don’t have, however: highlight clips from his dad’s highly successful career.
Mercer’s father Ron was a high-school national player of the year and the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year at Kentucky before a nine-year NBA career that included a stint with the Bulls from 2000 to 2002.
“If I watch videos, it’s mostly college,” Cameron said after the Bulldogs’ 73-54 loss to Perspectives-Leadership in the Chicago Elite Classic at Credit Union 1 Arena on Dec. 7. “I’m still trying to develop as a player.”
Are there similarities between his game and his dad’s?
“Trying to drive into the paint,” Mercer said. “Maybe not the athleticism. I’m trying to add his spin move a little bit more; spin move’s been more effective.”
Mercer isn’t concerned about whether others view him differently because of his name and heritage.
“I don’t really pay attention to that that much,” he said. “But I definitely know it’s a larger target on my back.”
Still, Mercer is making a name for himself. He was a key part of a Riverside-Brookfield team that won 26 games and a conference title last season, averaging 14 points per game and shooting 40% from 3-point range. After missing offseason time with ankle injuries, he’s glad to be healthy again.
R-B coach Mike Reingruber has seen Mercer’s game evolve.
“He’s better at attacking the rim,” Reingruber said. “Last year he was pretty much just a spot-up shooter. This year, as you saw (against Perspectives), he got to the rim, had some nice finishes.
“He’s an athlete that plays with a ton of energy, never stops moving. The sky’s the limit for him. He just keeps getting better.”
Mercer credited his offseason work for his progress.
“In the summer, I feel like I evolved more than I expected to,” he said. “I’m getting more comfortable driving the ball instead of just staying in the corner shooting.”
Still, he’s not satisfied.
“I still want to improve because there’s still some things I need to tighten up,” Mercer said.
Mercer, who scored 19 points against Perspectives, and 6-foot-3 senior guard Danny Loftus, who had 18 points, form a dynamic 1-2 scoring punch for the Bulldogs.
“Danny’s awesome, crashes the offensive glass amazing,” Mercer said. “Just glad to have him as a good duo. But we still need to figure some things out, figure out our defenses and hopefully win some more games.”