Player spotlight: Wesley Cardet

Player spotlight: Wesley Cardet

By Robert Alfonso Jr.

Not being seen is nothing new for Wesley Cardet. But things are beginning to change.

This week alone the Class of 2021 product has earned offers from Maryland, Iona, and Kansas State. These have added to his total of offers, despite not playing during this NCAA Live Period.

“It gave me more time to get into better conditioning, improve ball-handling, and ready to prove a lot this summer,” Cardet said.

The 6-foot-5 guard was ready to showcase his skills on the Under Armour Association circuit. Cardet’s junior season ended at the hands of Pines Charter High in the regionals of the Florida High state playoffs. However, Cardet didn’t dwell on the teams’ early exit. He went to work.

Cardet started training with a laser focus on playing in front of college coaches for Team Breakdown on the UA Association circuit.

Those plans were derailed due to this global pandemic. This hasn’t stopped him at all though. Cardet was continued to work on his game and coaches have noticed via his junior season highlights.

“I think it is pretty unique as coaches are taking a chance with me on my potential,” said Cardet, who has had a  Zoom visit with Maryland. “This crisis isn’t really stopping me.”

His perseverance is relentless. Last travel season, Cardet played the entire summer with tendinitis in his left knee. Doctors wanted to basically shut Cardet down by suggesting surgery. His mother refused to have it happen.

Cardet played the entire summer with zero complaints. His approach to the injury, was if he had 60-percent mobility he was going to play. While it personally wasn’t his best showing the entire summer, he managed to get a number of college offers.

He rehabbed with Quickstretch Bodyworks , throughout his junior season. This time off has allowed his body to heal while also getting ready for the green light when the travel season opens up.

Cardet has played on Breakdown’s 17-under team since he was 14. The Florida-based program has helped develop his game from being a post player to a position less player.

“I had coaches who believed in me by playing me at the point,” he said. “Last year, I played as a combo. I kinda have all the positions in my package. I am a big combo guard who knocks down shots