The Chicago Journal

Cameron Mercadel, Fifteen-Year-Old Basketball Prodigy

No boy in California trains harder than the 15-year-old prodigy from Orange County, California, Cameron “Cam” Mercadel. Cam is a basketball influencer who has been playing the game since the age of three. The young athlete is an exceptional player on the court and a celebrated icon on Instagram, where he has over 200,000 followers. Cam Mercadel is doing all he can to fulfill his destiny of becoming the NBA’s next star player.

As a young basketball player, Cam is in a league of his own. His hustle, ball-handling skills, and understanding of the game are far superior to the average teen player. Cam has dedicated his life to the game. He trains anywhere from four to six hours per day, pushing himself past his limits to improve his dexterity, strength, endurance, and speed. Cam does all he can to prepare himself for life as a high school varsity team player.

Cam Mercadel recently starred in Whistle Sports’s documentary, No Days Off, a documentary series about juvenile athletes on their path to greatness. The episode has racked up half a million times on Youtube. In the episode, Cam showed off his astounding abilities and colossal drive to push himself. He also talked about where he plans to take his career in the future.

Cam impressed even the president of the network himself. Jason Malone said, “I happen to watch thousands of kids each year across many sports, and Cameron Mercadel is a unique talent with the dedicated drive and spirit required to help him excel beyond his imagination.”

Cam Mercadel was exposed to the sport at a young age. Both his mother and father are avid fans of the game, and both played in their college varsity teams. When they noticed Cam’s natural inclination for the sport, they quickly set up an environment where he could pursue this love further. Using their ten-foot-tall hoops at home, Cam’s father would train him to make 250 to 300 shots every day before school. By five years old, Cam wanted to begin playing in a club group. 

Cam’s hectic training schedule includes training four to six hours a day with his basketball coach. His regimen includes training with a boxing coach, a speed and agility coach, and a strength and agility coach for a holistic athletic experience. Despite his grueling daily practice schedule, he still manages to make time for his schoolwork.

Aside from his athletic pursuit, Cam is also passionate about his community. To help the hunger problem in his community, he started a foundation called Cam Shoot and Dribble for Hunger. Cam takes pride in helping people and inspiring them to pursue their dreams despite their hurdles.

Cam’s future plans include playing for a Power Five school. While basketball is his one true passion, he deeply values education and hopes to have both as he grows older. Cam aims to get into the college varsity league while working on his education and running his foundation. One of his biggest dreams is to get into the NBA big leagues. With the rate that he’s going, it won’t be surprising to hear Cam Mercadel being drafted into the prestigious association in the future.

Find out more about the basketball prodigy on his website and follow him on Instagram.

Opinions expressed by The Chicago Journal contributors are their own.