Kaden Bedard is fully aware of his father’s legacy at the University of Maine.
His father, Andy, was a co-captain in each of his two seasons at UMaine after transferring from Boston College and was a two-time All-America East first team point guard and second-team All-District 1 choice.
The Rumford native has been inducted into the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame and the UMaine Sports Hall of Fame and still holds the school record for assists in a season (193) in 1999-2000 and average assists per game in a career (6.7) and in a single season (6.9 in 1999-2000).
Kaden will be following in his father’s footsteps after committing to play at UMaine. He will join the program this fall.
“It’s super special,” said Kaden Bedard. “His legacy and name are super big up there and I want to continue the legacy.”
But the younger Bedard said that wasn’t the primary reason he chose UMaine.
“One of my best friends is up there, Ace Flagg, and our chemistry on the court can definitely help,” Bedard said. “Maine went to a lot of my games and showed a lot of interest in recruiting me. And I still have a bunch of family in Maine.”
His father was equally excited.
“[UMaine head coach Chris Markwood] has seen him play for many years through AAU ball and it seems like a great fit,” said Andy Bedard, who coached his son and Flagg’s AAU team, Maine United. NBA Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg, Ace’s twin brother, also played with them.
“He’s excited to go back home and be united with Ace,” said the elder Bedard. “As a dad, you couldn’t ask for anyone better mentoring your son than Chris Markwood.
Andy Bedard called Markwood a “complete winner.
“I obviously take a lot of pride in him going to Maine and trying to put his stamp there to help Chris and help the program in any way he sees fit,” Andy Bedard said. “Kaden is the ultimate unselfish player. Whatever his role is, it’s ‘Yes sir, I’ll do it.’ That’s the type of kid that he is. He will fit in well with the fanfare up there with his overall effort and how committed he is to winning and playing hard.”
He said he is “thrilled” for his son to be able to play for Markwood and with Flagg, whom he described as his son’s “best friend since third grade.”
Kaden Bedard is nearing the end of recovery from knee surgery nine months ago that sidelined him for his final season at the Newman School in Boston this past winter.
It was his second year at the Newman School after spending three years at Montverde Academy in Florida. The Flaggs also attended Montverde.
Kaden Bedard said he is “two to three weeks away from playing live.”
He is back to doing workouts on the court after spending a lot of time in physical therapy and working out in the weight room.
“Being able to get back on the court feels amazing,” said Bedard.
The elder Bedard compared his son’s playing style to former Ohio State University guard Aaron Craft.
“He is a tough, hard-nosed defender, strong as can be. Pass first, [good] fundamentals. He isn’t going to turn the ball over. He has a coach’s IQ as a point guard. He understands the game at a high level. A floor general, a leader, he’ll get on the floor for a 50-50 ball,” said Andy Bedard.
Guard Logan Carey, who led UMaine in assists this past season, has transferred to Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia so there is a void at the guard position.
Andy Bedard pointed out that his son has guarded NBA players and played with and against a lot of Division I players so he won’t be fazed by playing in critical moments of a game.
“I can get into the paint and find guys,” said the younger Bedard. “I’m a pretty good passer. I take a lot of pride in my defense.”
