Project Redecker

Height does not guarantee success in basketball.

As a 6-foot-9 sophomore, Aaron Redecker saw limited varsity playing time and had little impact off the bench for the Jackson Indians.

Now entering his senior season, Redecker has slowly but steadily improved his game. Redecker, now 6-foot-11, has received interest from both Division I and Division II colleges and could put himself in good position to earn an athletic scholarship with a strong senior campaign.

"When I got here, watching him play in open gym, I wasn't sure he'd start for us," second-year Jackson coach Darrin Scott said. "Players would just take the ball from him. It's been a slow process. He's gotten a lot stronger. He's gotten a little bit more mature, and that's added to his confidence."

Redecker and the Indians will begin their season on Saturday against Pine Bluff, Ark., in the Riverbend Classic.

In the starting lineup throughout the season last year, Redecker made his mark on the defensive end while still trying to establish himself as an offensive threat. Redecker averaged about seven rebounds, five blocks and 6.7 points a game.

The success and improvement Redecker attained last year was enough to give him the feeling college basketball was a realistic goal.

"End of the season last year I started thinking about it, that I could actually play college basketball," Redecker said.

With that in mind, Redecker tried out for and made the St. Louis Gateway AAU team over the summer. Redecker was able to be seen by college coaches while working on his game and playing in tournaments across the country.

"I was surprised I made the tryout when I did," Redecker said. "It was a lot of long drives to St. Louis practicing twice a week. It was a lot of fun getting to see a lot of the country and a lot of great players."

With the loss of the Indians' top two scorers, Redecker will be looked upon to take on a much larger role offensively this season. Redecker's experience and work over the summer should have him ready to take on that role.

"I think I'm getting stronger being able to score one on one," Redecker said.

Added Scott: "Now in practice every day he's a threat to score in the post. When posting up we're confident he can score or get fouled every time."

One of the biggest keys to Redecker's success this season will be his ability to physically match up with opposing big men. Redecker weighs just 210 pounds, and despite added strength he will likely face plenty of thicker and stronger players.

Redecker said he has tried everything to add pounds. He knows his progression as a basketball player will depend on his physical maturation.

"The stronger I get, the better I'll be," he said.

While it is unlikely anyone would call Redecker a banger, his toughness on the court has improved. Whether it's going up for a rebound or finishing off a lay-in or dunk, Redecker has shown improved toughness so far in practices.

"He's a lot more physically tougher, and that's carried over, and now he's a lot more mentally tougher," Scott said.

One thing Redecker definitely has going for him is being able to play against one of the top high school post players in the country this past season. Playing against North Carolina freshman Tyler Hansbrough last season was a real eye-opener for Redecker.

"It helped a lot just to see how good someone can be," Redecker said. "Just the competition of playing against him."

Without the presence of Hansbrough in the area this season, an improved Redecker could establish himself as one of the top post players in Southeast Missouri.

Scott said if Redecker can continue to improve throughout the season, he should be one of the marquee players in the area.

"As the year goes on if he keeps maturing and getting better people will want to watch him play," Scott said. "And if people talk to him, they'll like how good a kid he is. He just works hard, doesn't expect any frills. He just does what you ask of him."

The soft-spoken Redecker talked mostly of team goals when asked about his goals for the upcoming season, but acknowledged he will have to play well in order to improve his stock with college recruiters.

"I'm trying to be one of the main players this year," Redecker said. "The colleges don't look at a team, they look at individual players."

Currently, Redecker said Drury University, an NCAA Division II school, and Division I Arkansas State are two schools that have shown interest. The number and profile of schools will likely grow depending on Redecker's play over the next few months.

"That depends on how good his year goes and how he improves, but I think he's a mid-major prospect, and a lot of those schools have shown interest," Scott said. "A lot of Division II schools also have shown interest."