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Virginia Tech Makes Final Three for Brown University Transfer Desmond Cambridge

Desmond Cambridge Final 3
Brown University transfer Desmond Cambridge announced Thursday evening that Virginia Tech is one of his final three schools under consideration along with Stanford and Vanderbilt. https://twitter.com/dezcambridge/status/1119073287680745473 Cambridge is a Nashville native having played his high school ball at Ensworth HS. After graduation, he headed to New Jersey, where he enrolled at The Hun School to play as a post-graduate. He then went from there to Brown University, where he finished up his sophomore campaign in March. With Jerry Stackhouse becoming the new head coach at Vanderbilt, there may be a spot on the roster for him to slide into. The Vanderbilt offer is very intriguing for Cambridge, because he could play at home in front of his family. When you combine that with Cambridge's sister, Jordyn, being a rising sophomore on Vanderbilt's women's basketball team, it might be hard for him to turn down his hometown school. However, the Virginia Tech offer is intriguing too. While Cambridge would have to sit out a season and redshirt because of transfer rules, he would be be eligible for Mike Young's second season in Blacksburg and would make a huge impact. Cambridge was also one of the best players in the Ivy League over the past two seasons.

Impact at Brown University

As a freshman in 2017-2018, he was named Ivy League Rookie of the Year. He was named Second Team All-Ivy League after averaging 17.3 points per game, including 18.6 ppg in Ivy League play - second best in the conference. Cambridge also set the freshman scoring record at Brown, with 468 points. He also averaged 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game as well. As a sophomore, his numbers decreased slightly. He averaged 15.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game. Still, he was the fourth leading scorer in the Ivy League. That mark propelled him to be named to the U.S. Basketball Writers Association All-District I Team. Even though his numbers decreased in his second season, his impact did not. He helped lead the Bears to a 20-12 record this season with a team he called, "arguably the best team the school has ever seen.” "He has been a major part of elevating Brown Basketball and helped us have one of the most successful seasons in the program’s history," Brown head basketball coach Mike Martin said in a press release when Cambridge's intention to transfer was announced. "We support his decision and wish him success at his next stop.”

Comparison

Cambridge (brown #24 in clip below) is very talented off the dribble and possesses the ability to hit contested threes. If you start watching at the one minute mark, you can see that he is a creative passer, too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf4_GkI5_9A After watching more highlights on him from his freshman year versus Northwestern (below), I noticed a few more things. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CKdo5nDsd4 He can create his own shot and can shoot from almost anywhere on the floor. He's very hard to guard off the dribble. I wasn't able to find many highlights of Cambridge getting to the rim, but he looked good driving downhill from what I saw. My comparison: former Hokie Erick Green, who played for Virginia Tech from 2009-2013. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwZJCZqNhIg Green is currently 10th on Virginia Tech's all-time scoring list. During his senior season, he led the NCAA in scoring with 25 points per game on his way to earning Co-ACC Player of the Year honors. He could create his own shot while also being able to get to the rack at will. That's the type of player Cambridge seems to be - great off the dribble and can create a shot when he needs to. Cambridge's film shows he is a great creator and passer who also brings great versatility and athleticism to the table. His well-rounded game would fit very well in Mike Young's style of play, and he would make an instant impact once he is eligible.

Photo Credit: D3 Edits

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