Update: Pickett Rollin’ into Vegas

By Ivan McDowell
Southeast/MidSouth Editor

Rico Pickett has continued his development since committing to the University of Alabama several months ago.

A month after garnering national recognition and acclaim from his peers and former NBA vets alike, Decatur High combo guard Rico Pickett continues his meteoric rise as one of the top guards in the 2007 class.

Having verbally committed to the University of Alabama a few months ago, Rico is now just having fun and trying to improve his game.

“I committed to them because it felt comfortable, I got along with the coaches real well and it was close to home so my parents could come and see me play”, exclaimed a jubilant Pickett back in June at the NBA Players Association Top 100 Camp.

Rico hasn’t rested on his laurels based on the praise given from the aforementioned camp either. He has taken what he has learned and “run with it”.

The Red Raider and future Crimson Tider, recently performed at the prestigious ABCD Camp in New Jersey and more than held his own versus the best in the country.

“I think I averaged about 10 points a game for my AAU team, Southeast Elite”, said Pickett. He did this while shooting a robust 59% from the field during the camp and leading the event in assists with 4.6 per contest.

Rico’s athleticism and speed have never been in question, but despite the lofty assist numbers, the 6’2 jet can be prone to trying to do too much and turn the ball over more frequently than he should. These facts haven’t been lost on Rico and he’s working hard to improve that facet of his game.

“I am beginning to play a lot harder and I’m becoming more comfortable with trusting my teammates. That type of setting (ABCD) forces you to step up your game”, emphasized Pickett, who I spoke with recently via telephone before the Big Time Tournament in Las Vegas.