Camden Cowgill: A Look at West Texas A&M's New Sharp-Shooting Commit

West Texas A&M's New Sniper - Commit Camden Cowgill

Coaching change prompted Camden Cowgill to decommit from Sacramento State and find a new home at West Texas A&M, The Brennan High School phenom brings a high basketball IQ, well-coached game, and ability to burn the nets from behind the arc to the Buffaloes squad.

The VIP Crew: Congratulations on an amazing high school career at Brennan High.

Cowgill: Thank you!

The VIP Crew: Anyone that researches Camden Cowgill will quickly realize that you have been basketball famous since you were a little kid. How has that early found fame helped you to deal with the pressures of prep and now headed to collegiate hoops?

Cowgill: I think it’s a thing you learn to handle. It has always been there, so it was nothing to be worried about. I learned to deal with it to where eventually it wasn’t a concern at all.

The VIP Crew: Your dad played ball at a high level, he’s coached you at a high level for a very long time. How has he sort of helped you along the way during your career?

Cowgill: Just him being a basketball coach since I was born, being on the women’s side at UTSA and then coaching high school and knowing that aspect. He’s been there as a player and a coach, so he knows the ends and outs.

The VIP Crew: Your decision to decommit from Sacramento State and you will now be attending West Texas A&M, was that a tough decision for you?

Cowgill: The coaching change made the decision much easier. I didn’t plan on decommitting from them until the coaching change happened. At that point I didn’t think it would be a place that I could succeed at, just based on the moves they were making as a staff. They’re making good moves, but I didn’t think it was a situation where I could see the same success in with the dynamic of the team. I didn’t find it too difficult to decommit. West Texas had been trying to get me out for a visit. I went out there after I decommited. I didn’t give it a lot of time before I committed there. I didn’t really wait for another opportunity from another school.

The VIP Crew: Does it put you in a more comfortable situation not going to California and staying at home in Texas?

Cowgill: I wanted to leave Texas and go to California. It was like a dream. I know my mom is happy that I stayed, and it makes it easier for them to come see me play.

The VIP Crew: What was Coach [Tom] Brown’s influence on getting you to commit?

Cowgill: He has a solid influence on me. Before the visit, I was open, but not too open to D2. I wanted to go D1 being that I was already committed to D1. It has been a dream of mine since I was a kid. Him explaining the process, how things work, and how he goes about things, I think he has a lot of knowledge. He runs a very high-level program, a winning program based on his past successes and I think it took away my… I don’t want to say fear, but that little bit of fear I had going D2 and how people see it. I trust him so he definitely had a good influence on me.

The VIP Crew: When you break down the program that West Texas A&M runs, do you feel like it’s the perfect mesh for your style, or do you have to find your fit within the program and adapt?

Cowgill: I think no matter where you go for anybody, it’s going to be different from things you’ve experienced. I played for my dad virtually my whole life, so I’m used to that system. They do play into my strengths, so it shouldn’t be too hard. There will be things I have to learn coming into a college program no matter who you are, so it will be a little bit of both.

The VIP Crew: You left an impeccable legacy at Brennan where there was a winning culture. West Texas A&M went 30-5 last season, so they obviously know how to win as well. How important is that for you?

Cowgill: That definitely played a part in my decision to go there. I want to be at a place that wants to win and knows how to win. I know Sacramento State didn’t really win, but I was looking for a school, that was my one shot, so… But going to West Texas, it’s great to be at a place that knows how to win, knows what it takes to win, and that will continue with me. I have always hated losing. That was never a thing for me, so I think it will be great to be at a place that kind of knows what that takes.

The VIP Crew: You made your mark in high school holding several records at Brennan. What do you feel you have to do to have that same impact at the next level?

Cowgill: For me, I think I’m going to have to be a bit open minded and be coachable. Allow the coaches to reach me and teach me and for me to fit in the system to be who they want me to be. Essentially, that’s what happened at Brennan. I played the role I was supposed to play and did it well. As the years went on my role got bigger. In college I think it’s going to be the same thing. I’m going to have to go in open minded and do what they are asking of me, and eventually it’s going to be the same thing.

The VIP Crew: You made 421 three pointers during your high school career. Are you anticipating guys face guarding you, meeting you at the center line, once they study stats or watch film on you?

Cowgill: Just growing up, I’ve got the face guards and the not helping off of me. I think it’s something I have adjusted to my whole life, so I don’t see how it would be a huge difference. I think the guys in college will be better than the guys I played in high school, so it will be a little bit of an adjustment, but at the end of the day it’s not something that I’ve never seen, so it shouldn’t be too hard.

The VIP Crew: I watched an interview you conducted, and you seem to be a kid who puts your head down and grind. You’re not into showboating and some of the other things we see from kids today. I’m sure your dad had a lot of influence on that type of mentality.

Cowgill: 100%! That’s just what I’ve been taught. Growing up, I wasn’t even allowed to celebrate 3’s or whatever. It’s like, get back on defense. That’s something that I really believe in. I’m here to play and produce for my team, so I’m not here for all that extra showboating. I’m here to do what I’m supposed to do. I’m going to get back and work my ass off on defense.

The VIP Crew: What part of your game do you feel need the most work?

 Cowgill: The biggest knock on me has always been my defense. And not that I think I’m a bad defender. I think I’m a solid defender, but it’s just always been the thing with me. Offensively, there’s not a ton of flaws, but defensively, I’m not as fast, or athletic. It’s been a working point for me this summer, try to get more athletic, try to get stronger, to be able to produce on the defensive end as much as I do on the offensive end.

The VIP Crew: What type of player is West Texas A&M getting?

Cowgill: They’re going to get somebody that works hard, be in the gym every day before and after practice. They are going to get somebody that’s going to take care of business off the court. I’m not into all the extra stuff like partying. I’m going to be in my classes, be in the gym, and just somebody who is doing the right things.

The VIP Crew: Sounds like for the first time in a long time; the voice you hear from your coach won’t be your dad’s. Will that be an adjustment for you?

Cowgill: Devin Gibson was my coach in AAU, so I had a different voice there. The first year he coached me was definitely an adjustment. It’s not going to be a huge thing for me.

The VIP Crew: What are your personal expectations this season?

Cowgill: I’d definitely like to play. I’m going to work to be a starter on the team, but I’d like to get quality minutes and contribute to the team and help us win a championship.