What Frederick Scott said about joining the Boston College basketball team
"It was almost like me coming to another family."
Rider graduate transfer Frederick Scott, a 6-foot-8 forward from Munster, Ind., is joining the Boston College men’s basketball team.
Scott, who averaged 12.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and shot 40 percent from 3-point range this past season, was named to the All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference third team for the third straight season at Rider. He started his college career at DePaul University after playing high school basketball at Oak Hill Academy and Simeon Career Academy and earning McDonald’s All-American nominee honors at Simeon.
Boston.com spoke with Scott about his past, present, and future, and what he hopes to get out of his time at BC:
BDC: What was your high school experience like?
FS: Going to a few different high schools, it was a great learning experience. Being able to play in another state, then coming back home and playing in Chicago a little bit as well, it was just an overall good experience. I was able to play with different players, see how people play, and I learned a lot. I was able to continue to pick up skills.
Can you compare and contrast Oak Hill and Simeon?
Oak Hill was definitely a quiet place. The way I was able to live up there, I was really able to focus. There wasn’t a lot going on, and I wasn’t around my parents. It’s a prep school, a boarding school, so that’s what I got out of that. Once I came home, it was definitely a bigger environment. Being able to go school back home, the experience was definitely different. I was able to be around my family. I was definitely missing them. Once I got back, I was able to spend time with them, and they could come to a lot more of my games.
How did you decide on DePaul, and what was it like starting out your college career there?
It was close to home, so that’s why I decided to go there. I had a few other offers coming out of high school, but I decided I might as well stay home and see how that is. I was able to get a good experience being in the Big East, but then I had to part ways really quickly.
What was it like playing at Rider?
It was like a family. The people I’ve met there, my teammates, it was just a good experience. We won a lot of games and we were always top in the conference. That was always good, competing year in and year out. In a one-bid league, it was good to have that, to be like, ‘Are we really that good?’ Playing night in, night out, you have a chip on your shoulder.
Frederick Scott accepting his MAAC Sixth Player of the Year Award #GoBroncs #MAACHoops pic.twitter.com/EZmOcPwi6U
— Rider Men’s Basketball (@RiderMBB) March 2, 2018
Anything stand out as a favorite memory from Rider?
I have a lot of memories, but I would say my best memory is when we won the conference title, and we cut down the nets, my freshman year. We went 22-10, and that was just a great season. That was a big memory I’ll never forget, just being able to cut down the nets.
How did Boston College enter the picture, and what are you looking forward to about playing there?
I would say playing at BC is a great opportunity, great coaching staff. I believe they can get me exactly where I need to be. I know it’s going to be a fun experience playing in the ACC. It’s a battle night in and night out, so I’m up for that.
What other schools were you considering, and how did you ultimately decide on BC?
I was considering Arkansas, Illinois, Illinois State, San Francisco, and also San Diego. Those were my final six. I was able to narrow it down. Talking to Coach (Jim) Christian and the staff, it was almost like me coming to another family. They were accepting me well. They read my mind throughout this recruitment on what I was really looking for out of my fifth year. I believe I really can come in and impact the program and put the work in starting whenever I see them. It starts now at home, but that’s pretty much why I decided to come to BC. I feel like it’s a great opportunity and great coaching staff.
How do you see yourself fitting in with the current team?
I believe I can. There’s also another MAAC commitment, Rich Kelly. I know his game, and I like how he plays, so I know that’s a smart guard I have on my team. The other players I haven’t met. I haven’t been able to do a lot of research, but I’m definitely excited to play with them. I feel like we can really win a lot of games if we really do what we’re supposed to do, and that’s our goal.
Frederick Scott was named to the All-MAAC third team three times.
What do you think it will be like in the ACC?
It’s definitely something I’ve got to get used to. I’ve got to be ready to play. That’s what I’m really focusing on, knowing that every game is up in the air. You’ve got to go out there and battle or you’ll get smoked.
Who would you say is your favorite player of all-time, and who would you say you model your game after, if anyone?
I would say my favorite player of all-time is probably James Harden. I like how he entertains the crowd. That’s what it’s about. My favorite player that I try to play like is Carmelo Anthony. He doesn’t dribble too much, but he gets the job done. He’s so efficient. I try to base my game off Melo.
So it sounds like you view yourself as a taller, hybrid scorer?
Definitely. I’m able to do a lot of things. Dunk a little bit, shoot a little bit, dribble a little bit, just an all-around player. Just a basketball player. It’s like I have a position, but then I don’t. Just put me out there and I’m ready to go.
Have you ever been to Boston or Massachusetts? What makes you excited to live here?
Last year, we played UMass, but coming in for a game, you’re only there for a day or two, so I don’t really count that as being in a place. I can say I haven’t been, but I’m excited in general. I don’t know too, too much about the city. Obviously you have the Celtics, but other than that, I’m just excited. I’ve been asking people that are from around that area, and they all say I’ll enjoy it. I’m just hoping everything will be fine and I love it.
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