It feels amazing when everything aligns, gliding into place, and being such a rarity it intensifies and resonates while in its midst and often long afterwards. Maybe it's getting grades that result in a 4.0+ grade point average required to be accepted into a desired school or finally greeting a long lost friend or relative after years of absence. It also could even be that certain special someone saying yes to a marriage proposal.
Menlo-Atherton High's Trevor Cadigan recently enjoyed such an experience. He had multiple basketball programs across the country wanting him to come play and study (he sports a 4.1 grade point average). Grinnell College in Iowa was one of the few intriguing schools. The hoops program there is known for its high-scoring offense which currently is averaging 113.6 points per game.
Ultimately, the 6-foot-4 guard/wing had to narrow his offers down to a single choice. He did so after finding a school not too far away that checked all the boxes--Chapman University down in Orange County. Displaying his maturity, Cadigan called each of the other coaches involved in his recruitment, giving them the news.
With a student body population of 10,000, Chapman is a secular university affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ. Actually founded in 1861 and having evolved through multiple iterations, a recent ranking placed Chapman #121 out of 436 private and public research national universities. Its sports programs play at the DIII level.
So why the choice of Chapman? "My recruitment was a long process, involving East Coast and West Coast schools," Cadigan explained. "But Chapman has a great location and isn't far from the beach (20 minutes away), the guys (his soon to be teammates) I met were really fun to be around and the coaching staff is great. They truly believe in me and want me to be successful which is great for any player that wants to grow as a person on and off the court." Dan Krikorian is a 2007 Chapman graduate and assisted there for a decade before moving into the head coach role in August 2024. The Panthers are currently 14-9 overall, 7-7 in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
Cadigan participated in a basketball camp for high academic prep prospects held in LA back in July. "I finished second out of hundreds of kids in the three-point shooting contest, which led me to be recognized." Exchanging emails with many different coaches led to college visits and invites to other camps. He then played in another camp held at Chapman University in September playing well enough to catch the eye of the Panther coaching staff. From there, mutual interest was developed and then an offer was extended. Cadigan was sold but one hurdle remained--he needed to formally apply and get accepted by the school. That matter was resolved and a formal commitment to attend Chapman University and play basketball became cemented in place.
Asked if he has also selected a major, Cadigan said, "I'm good with numbers so it will be economics/data analytics."
He explained that the coaching staff hasn't gone into depth with him about his position and role for next season as yet but "I want to contribute right away and will likely play as a shooting guard and a small forward."
Video allows a quick and easy determination that he is a sharpshooter with excellent form but there are other elements to his repertoire. "I'm good with off-the-ball movement, always trying to cut and also screening to get my teammates open. I see the floor and focus on spacing so that defenses don't have it easier."
Plus, Cadigan is a captain this season and he understands his new role, the continuous loop regarding what he needs to supply and receive vis-a-vis his teammates and coaches.
One critical factor for all prospects is becoming known, the 'hey, I exist and here is what I can do' reputation build. Cadigan played on a new AAU team this past spring and summer, the Bay City Warriors coached by Frank Saric. "I was looking for an AAU team to get recognition (among college coaches) and a junior varsity coach at my high school, Kai Winterling, suggested I check this guy (Saric) out. He influenced me and I'm glad he did."
Basketball and baseball have been the sports in Cadigan's life. This despite a twin brother who plays multiple sports including football and lacrosse.
Basketball for Cadigan started very early, in kindergarten, involving a High Five Basketball league. "We have a video of it, it's always fun to look back and see where this whole journey started" according to Cadigan. He left the baseball diamond behind early in high school so as to focus on one sport and hone his skills set.
With the high school season currently entering the playoffs and with individual honors soon to be announced, Cadigan offered, "I want to win the PAL (Peninsula Athletic League) Most Valuable Player award. I never thought I could but I've really worked hard." As for team honors, he said, "we lost league last year but went 11-1 and won it this season. We also lost in the CCS division 1 championship the previous year and want to win there now." Menlo-Atherton fell 85-74 to Del Oro High last February 29 as down by four entering the fourth quarter, M-A was outscored 22-15.
So Cadigan achieved his long sought personal dream earlier this month as well as he and his teammates nabbing top team/league honors. Two out of three ain't bad as the song goes but Cadigan and Menlo-Atherton want to write a new anthem or two titled along the lines of three out of three and then four out of four is better. That's the hope and dream.