Reddick blossoms as leader for high-flying X-Men

Antigonish native shooting for AUS title

By Corey LeBlanc

It may be only his third season with the STFX X-Men, but Coach K Court has been the home floor for Dondre Reddick for as long as he can remember.

Like a lot of young basketball players in Antigonish, the 6-foot-3 forward with the White and Blue got his start in the sport on the hardwood that now bears the name of Steve Konchalski—the legendary retired X-Men head coach who patrolled the sideline for almost half a century.

"It is amazing," the 22-year-old says of playing university basketball where he once honed his skills at summer camps hosted by the X-Men program.

As for his passion for the sport, Reddick offers, "I always loved it."

Nevertheless, that doesn't mean basketball has always been his main focus; in his younger years, his sport loyalties were divided.

"I come from a soccer family," Reddick notes, with a laugh.

One that has left its mark on the Antigonish sport scene, including at STFX. His uncle, Trevor, was a star with the X-Men varsity soccer program that captured back-to-back Atlantic University Sport (AUS) championships in 1993 and 1994. He is also a member of the STFX Sports Hall of Fame.

"I took it more seriously," he says of favoring the pitch in his earlier years.

By the time he suited up for his hometown Dr. John Hugh Gillis Regional Royals in Grade 9, Reddick had turned more of his attention to the hardwood, where he helped win a Division 2 provincial boys' basketball banner.

"That's when I really fell in love with it," Reddick remembers.

In the next few years, as he began his basketball journey, the teenager made a few stops, including a Grade 10 season spent with the Halifax Grammar School Gryphons.

"I didn't get to play much," he says, describing that experience as "humbling".

Although he remained in Nova Scotia's capital city the following year, Reddick completed his Grade 11 year at neighbouring Citadel High School in downtown Halifax, where he took the floor with the Phoenix. That campaign—in 2016—was upended by the 'work to rule' job action taken by teachers in the province, a move that wiped sport seasons and extra-curricular activities in Nova Scotia public schools.

For his Grade 12 and a fifth high school season, Reddick laced up his sneakers with GTA Prep in Brampton, Ont., where he took the court with and against players who have gone on to the NCAA and NBA.

"Again, it was humbling, but I was able to really develop my game; it meant a lot to me," Reddick says.

When his second season at GTA Prep was cut short due to injury, he returned home to rehabilitate and finish his studies, graduating from the Regional.

While back in Antigonish, Reddick rekindled his long-time relationship with Konchalski—one dating back to those days as an X summer basketball camper.

"We have always had a very strong connection," he notes.

Konchalski, who was winding down his historic career, offered Reddick the opportunity to rehabilitate in STFX's new state-of-the-art therapy room.

"They took great care of me," Reddick says.

That time not only deepened his ties with Konchalski, but also developed them with other coaches and student-athletes with the X-Men program.

"Everyone was so welcoming," Reddick says, a feeling he notes also greatly influenced his decision to join the X-Men.

He adds, when it comes to selecting his soon-to-be alma mater, "It also gave me the chance to come back home, which meant a lot to me."

Reddick says academically, athletically and in every other way, he made a "great choice."

"I couldn't imagine being at any other school," he adds.

His choice also continued a strong Reddick family legacy with STFX Athletics. Along with his uncle, Trevor, his aunt, X-Women basketball icon Theresa MacCuish is also a STFX Sports Hall of Fame member. Syna Reddick, his aunt, also played varsity basketball for the X-Women.

When asked to talk about the strengths of his game, Reddick says, "I pride myself on playing defence."

He notes how great it is to be part of "defensive-minded team" like the X-Men.

While focusing on being "aggressive" defensively, Reddick explains he uses that to try to help "set the tone" for his team.

"I think that I am a good two-way player," he offers, noting his efficiency as a scorer.

It has been a breakout season for Reddick, who has been a key contributor in the first half of the AUS regular season, as the X-Men have raced to first place with a 9-1 mark.

"I think I have been locked in, just like the rest of our team," he offers.

The multi-talented forward is averaging 17.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game, while making 91.3 per cent of his free throws and 57.1 of his shots from the field.

"Dondre keeps getting better every day," X-Men head coach Tyrell Vernon says, while becoming "one of the top players in the conference."

He credits Reddick for the work he put in to prepare for this season, including making tremendous strides with his vertical leap, strength and conditioning.

Vernon explains that his student-athlete provides a "different dynamic," including his ability as a "downhill threat" offensively.

"Dondre can score at all three levels," he adds, noting his improved shooting, both from three-point and mid-ranges, and ability "taking it to the basket."

Vernon describes his defensive play as "like night and day," noting how much he has improved on that end of the floor.

"He is going to be a key to our success," he says.

Even though the X-Men—who will be the host team for the U SPORTS national championship tournament in Halifax in March—are off to a great start, Reddick stresses that his team is taking nothing for granted. The primary goal remains to enter that tournament as the AUS title holders.

"We have a great coaching staff that holds us accountable," Reddick says, noting their repeated message that we have "achieved nothing."

When asked about their roster depth, he points out that there are plenty of battles in practice, while everyone knows that they must perform or someone will be there to take their minutes.

"I think we are the deepest team in the AUS, if not one of the deepest in the country," he says.

Reddick believes that the X-Men are "on the right path," when it comes to reaching their championship goals.

"We are going to keep pushing each other."

Noting the professional atmosphere of the X-Men program, he adds that success in the classroom is stressed as much as on the basketball court; something that means a great deal to Reddick.

"I will be finishing my degree before I go anywhere, he says, when asked about the future—particularly professional basketball opportunities.

While majoring in sociology and minoring in English, Reddick is eyeing a career as a social worker in the public school system.

Reddick says that it has been "amazing" to play for the X-Men and graduate from STFX—a place that has "always been a big part of my life."

Getting back to that home court theme, he calls having the chance to play in front of family and friends as "fantastic."

"I am very thankful for the opportunity," he says.

Reddick adds how humbled he is when youngsters ask for his autograph, or parents want to take his photo with their children.

"I don't take it for granted – I love it with all my heart."

Reddick says it has been quite a journey; it wasn't that long ago he was one of those young fans, sitting in the stands watching his X-Men heroes, including Vernon—his now head coach—who was a star guard for the White and Blue.

"Sometimes, it is crazy how life works."