{{Short description|American basketball player (born 2003)}} {{AI-generated|date=December 2025}} {{Infobox basketball biography | name = Camden Heide | image = Camden Heide 2023.jpg | image_size = | caption = Heide with Purdue in 2023 | number = | position = Small forward | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 7 | weight_lb = 215 | team = South Carolina Gamecocks | conference = Southeastern Conference | birth_date = {{birth date and age|2003|7|16}} | birth_place = Littleton, Colorado, U.S. | high_school = * Wayzata<br>(Plymouth, Minnesota) * Wasatch Academy<br>(Mount Pleasant, Utah) | college = * Purdue (2023–2025) * Texas (2025–2026) * South Carolina (2026–present) | highlights = }} '''Camden Craig Heide''' (born July 16, 2003) is an American college basketball player for the South Carolina Gamecocks of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). He previously played for the Purdue Boilermakers and Texas Longhorns. A consensus four-star recruit from Wayzata, Minnesota, Heide was a member of Purdue's 2024 national runner-up and 2025 Sweet 16 teams.<ref name="hammer-rails">{{cite news |date=April 2, 2025|title=Cam Heide Enters Portal with Intention to Transfer|url=https://www.hammerandrails.com/2025/4/2/24399634/cam-heide-enters-portal-with-intention-to-transfer|work=Hammer and Rails|access-date=}}</ref> He helped Texas reach the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kingman |first=Nicholas |title=Still dancin’: Texas men’s basketball punches ticket to Sweet Sixteen |url=https://thedailytexan.com/2026/03/21/still-dancin-texas-mens-basketball-punches-ticket-to-sweet-sixteen/ |access-date=2026-04-02 |website=The Daily Texan}}</ref>
== Early life and high school career == Heide was born in Littleton, Colorado but spent his childhood in Wayzata, Minnesota. He grew up playing basketball, football, and baseball. He spent four years at Wayzata High School in Plymouth, Minnesota, where he became the first eighth-grader in school history to play varsity basketball.<ref name="purdue-bio">{{cite web |url=https://purduesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/camden-heide/13072 |title=Camden Heide Bio |website=Purdue Boilermakers |access-date=}}</ref>
In 2021, as a junior, Heide led Wayzata to its first Minnesota State High School Championship since 1959, held at Target Center.<ref name="state-championship">{{cite news |author=Paulsen, Jim |date=April 10, 2021|title=Wayzata wins first boys' basketball championship since 1959|url=https://www.mnbasketballhub.com/news_article/show/1157089|work=Star Tribune|access-date=}}</ref><ref name="championship-game">{{cite news |author=Jacobson, John |date=April 12, 2021|title=WAYZATA BOYS BASKETBALL WINS STATE TOURNAMENT TITLE|access-date=}}</ref> He contributed 17 points and 10 rebounds in the 75–61 championship victory over Cretin-Derham Hall.<ref name="state-championship"/> During his junior season, he averaged 17.9 points per game while shooting 57 percent from the field.
Heide reached his 1,000th career point on February 12, 2021, in a victory against Hopkins High School, finishing his Wayzata career with 1,189 points.<ref name="1000-points">{{cite news |author=Grundhauser, Ben |date=February 12, 2021|title=Heide helps Wayzata grind past Hopkins in Lake Conference clash|url=https://www.mnbasketballhub.com/news_article/show/1144878|work=MN Boys' Basketball Hub|access-date=}}</ref> He averaged 15.2 points per game as a sophomore and 13.5 as a freshman, playing AAU basketball for D1 Minnesota.
For his senior year, Heide transferred to Wasatch Academy in Utah, though he played in only seven games before sustaining a broken foot.
=== National team experience === In May 2019, Heide was named one of 18 finalists to USA Basketball's U16 National Team and attended the Men's Junior National Team minicamp in July 2019.<ref name="purdue-bio"/>
=== Recruiting === Heide was ranked as the top player in Minnesota from the class of 2022 and 13th at his position nationally by 247Sports.<ref name="247sports">{{cite web |url=https://247sports.com/player/camden-heide-46082350/ |title=Camden Heide Recruiting Profile |website=247Sports |access-date=}}</ref> He received 11 scholarship offers, including from Minnesota, Iowa, Arizona, Texas, Wisconsin, Virginia Tech, and Creighton.<ref name="si-commit">{{cite news |date=June 15, 2021|title=Wayzata Forward Camden Heide Commits to Purdue Basketball Program|url=https://www.si.com/college/purdue/basketball/wayzata-forward-camden-heide-commits-to-purdue-basketball-program|work=Sports Illustrated|access-date=}}</ref> On June 15, 2021, Heide committed to Purdue, becoming the third member of the Boilermakers' 2022 recruiting class alongside Fletcher Loyer and Braden Smith.<ref name="si-commit"/>
== College career ==
=== Purdue Boilermakers (2023–2025) ===
==== 2022–23 season (Redshirt) ==== Heide redshirted the 2022–23 season following foot surgery during his senior high school season.<ref name="redshirt-carmin">{{cite news |author=Carmin, Mike |date=April 18, 2023|title=Redshirt season 'smart decision' for Purdue's Camden Heide|access-date=}}</ref><ref name="redshirt-hallinan">{{cite news |author=Hallinan, Kelly |date=July 16, 2023|title=Cam Heide is ready to take the court at Purdue after redshirt season|access-date=}}</ref>
==== 2023–24 season ==== Heide made his collegiate debut on November 13, 2023, against Samford, scoring 13 points in 17 minutes along with three rebounds, two blocks, and two steals.<ref name="debut">{{cite news |author=King, Sam |date=November 12, 2023|title=Purdue basketball and Camden Heide have a secret, but the secret is out now|work=Journal & Courier|access-date=}}</ref> As a redshirt freshman, he appeared in all 39 games, averaging 3.3 points and 1.9 rebounds per game while shooting 58 percent from the field and 45 percent from three-point range. Heide became one of only two college players to shoot 65 percent or better from 2-point range and 45 percent or better from 3-point range with a minimum of 40 attempts, leading all Power 5 freshmen in effective field goal percentage at 68.2 percent. He scored a season-high 18 points on perfect 7-of-7 shooting against Rutgers on February 22, 2024.<ref name="rutgers-game">{{cite news |author=Lembo, Vincent |date=February 22, 2024|title=No more Heide-ing on the bench|url=https://www.on3.com/db/vincent-lembo-purdue-basketball-camden-heide-bench/|work=On3|access-date=}}</ref> Heide helped Purdue reach the NCAA Tournament as a No. 1 seed and advance to their first Final Four since 1980 and first national championship game since 1969. His most memorable moment came in the National Championship game against UConn, where he delivered a ferocious putback dunk that became ESPN SportsCenter's No. 1 play.<ref name="championship-dunk">{{cite news |author=Arnold, Christian |date=April 8, 2024|title=Purdue's Camden Heide, UConn's Samson Johnson exchange electric March Madness dunks|work=New York Post|access-date=}}</ref><ref name="dunk-story">{{cite news |author=King, Sam |date=April 9, 2024|title=Purdue basketball's Camden Heide made an all-time highlight, but he wasn't supposed to|work=Lafayette Journal & Courier|access-date=}}</ref>
==== 2024–25 season ==== In his sophomore season, Heide played an expanded role, appearing in all 36 games with eight starts. He averaged 4.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 0.4 assists in 19.6 minutes per game, shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 39.2 percent from 3-point range.<ref name="purdue-roster">{{cite web |url=https://purduesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/season/2024-25/player/camden-heide |title=Camden Heide - 2024-25 Roster |website=Purdue Boilermakers |access-date=}}</ref> Heide scored a season-high 15 points against both North Carolina State and Maryland, making his first career start against Marshall on November 23 with 13 points on perfect 3-of-3 shooting. He recorded his first career double-double in the NCAA Tournament first round against High Point with 11 points and 10 rebounds. His best stretch came during the final portion of the season and NCAA Tournament, where he shot 60% from three-point range over the final 11 games.<ref name="hammer-rails" /> In the Sweet 16 against Houston, he hit a crucial game-tying 3-pointer with 32 seconds remaining, finishing with nine points.<ref name="purdue-roster" />
Heide finished his Purdue career shooting 49-of-119 (.412) from three-point range and 103-of-195 (.528) from the field.<ref name="purdue-roster"/> Over his two active seasons, he averaged 3.9 points and 2.7 rebounds per game.<ref name="si-portal">{{cite news |date=April 2, 2025|title=Report: Purdue Sophomore Camden Heide Enters NCAA Transfer Portal|url=https://www.si.com/college/purdue/basketball/report-purdue-sophomore-camden-heide-enters-ncaa-transfer-portal-college-basketball|work=Sports Illustrated|access-date=}}</ref>
=== Texas Longhorns (2025) ===
==== 2025–26 season ==== Heide entered the transfer portal shortly after the conclusion of the 2024–25 season.<ref name="si-transfer">{{cite news |date=April 8, 2025|title=Camden Heide Shares Heartfelt Message Thanking Purdue|url=https://www.si.com/college/purdue/basketball/camden-heide-shares-heartfelt-message-thanking-purdue-transfer-portal-texas-college-basketball|work=Sports Illustrated|access-date=}}</ref> He committed to Texas to play for new head coach Sean Miller,<ref name="rivals-texas">{{cite news |date=April 4, 2025|title=Former Purdue forward Camden Heide lands at Texas|url=https://purdue.rivals.com/news/former-purdue-forward-camden-heide-lands-at-texas|work=Rivals.com|access-date=}}</ref> with two years of eligibility remaining. Upon announcing his transfer, Heide shared a message on social media stating: "Forever grateful for my time at Purdue! I'm extremely blessed for all the memories, relationships and experiences I've had. Excited for the next chapter. Thank you, Boiler Nation!"<ref name="si-transfer" />
Heide began wearing jersey No. 5 at Texas after wearing No. 23 for three seasons at Purdue.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Camden Heide - Men's Basketball |url=https://texaslonghorns.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/camden-heide/15040 |access-date=2026-01-29 |website=University of Texas Athletics |language=en}}</ref>
In the first game of the season against Duke, Heide made his Texas debut, recording two rebounds in nine minutes of play.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Camden Heide Career Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/camden-heide-1/gamelog/ |access-date=November 5, 2025 |website=College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>On November 18, he made his first start against Rider, recording a career-high 20 points on 6-of-9 shooting from three-point range and five rebounds.<ref name=":0" /> On January 28, 2026 against Auburn, Heide scored 17 points, including making 5-of-6 from three-point range. He followed with a 13-point game on 5-of-6 shooting at Oklahoma on January 31.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bresee |first=Tommy |title=Cam Heide: The X-Factor for Texas basketball |url=https://longhornswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/longhorns/mens-basketball/2026/02/01/in-sec-play-cam-heide-is-becoming-an-x-factor-for-texas/88463896007/ |access-date=2026-02-20 |website=Longhorns Wire |language=en-US}}</ref> He played in his 100th collegiate game on February 17 against LSU.
In the NCAA Tournament Second Round, Heide hit a game-clinching corner three-pointer with 14.7 seconds to defeat third-seeded Gonzaga and send Texas to the Sweet 16 and a matchup with his former school, Purdue.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Press |first=Associated |date=2026-03-22 |title=Texas upsets Gonzaga to go from First Four to Sweet 16 |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48274083/texas-upsets-gonzaga-go-first-four-sweet-16 |access-date=2026-03-22 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> Leading up to the matchup with his former teammates, Heide remarked about his appreciation for Purdue and Texas fans and about the achievements of his former teammates.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-03-25 |title=Former Boiler Camden Heide Reflects on Time at Purdue Ahead of Sweet 16 Matchup |url=https://www.si.com/college/purdue/basketball/former-boiler-camden-heide-reflects-time-purdue-ahead-sweet-16-matchup-texas |access-date=2026-04-02 |website=Purdue Boilermarkers On SI |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kleven |first=Kylee |date=2026-03-25 |title='I’m a Boilermaker for life’ — Familiar foe takes the court in Sweet 16 |url=https://www.purdueexponent.org/sports/mens/basketball/purdue-boilermakers-cam-heide-texas-longhorns/article_3a0b3850-88c1-41ae-8fba-cc4fd6fbffa6.html |access-date=2026-04-02 |website=Purdue Exponent |language=en}}</ref>
Heide finished the season averaging 5.9 points and 2.7 rebounds per game. He shot 45.3 percent from three-point range. He started in 29 of 35 games played.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Camden Heide 2025-26 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/camden-heide-1/gamelog/2026 |access-date=2026-04-02 |website=College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
On April 9, 2026, Heide announced that he was entering the transfer portal.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 9, 2026 |title=Texas F Cam Heide to enter the NCAA transfer portal |url=https://www.burntorangenation.com/texas-longhorns-basketball/101453/cam-heide-ncaa-transfer-portal-texas-longhorns |website=Burnt Orange Nation|access-date=April 9, 2026|last=Eberts|first=Wescott}}</ref>
=== South Carolina (2026–present) ===
==== 2026–27 season ==== On April 15, Heide committed to South Carolina.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Whittle |first=John |date=April 15, 2026 |title=South Carolina lands Texas sharpshooter |url=https://247sports.com/college/south-carolina/article/transfer-portal-commitment-camden-heide-south-carolina-gamecocks-basketball-281890598/ |access-date=April 15, 2026 |website=247Sports}}</ref>
== Playing style == Heide is known for his athleticism and versatility as a forward. Scouting reports describe him as "a quality shooter off catch or dribble" who "can make shots off either foot in the mid-range when attacking" and "has post up game".<ref name="247sports">{{cite web |url=https://247sports.com/player/camden-heide-46082350/ |title=Camden Heide Recruiting Profile |website=247Sports |access-date=}}</ref> He is noted as "a straight ahead athlete who jumps best off one foot when attacking the rim" and "uses his body well on offense".<ref name="247sports"/>
Heide is particularly known for his highlight-reel dunks, with his putback slam in the 2024 National Championship game becoming one of the most memorable plays of March Madness.<ref name="hammer-rails"/>
== Career highlights and achievements == * Minnesota Class 4A state champion with Wayzata (2021)<ref name="state-championship" /> * First eighth-grader in Wayzata High School history to play varsity basketball<ref name="purdue-bio" /> * 1,189 career points at Wayzata High School * Consensus four-star recruit, No. 1 player in Minnesota class of 2022<ref name="si-commit" /> * USA Basketball U16 National Team finalist (2019)<ref name="purdue-bio" /> * ESPN SportsCenter Top 10 No. 1 play for National Championship dunk (2024)<ref name="championship-dunk" /> * Led all Power 5 freshmen in effective field goal percentage (68.2%) in 2023-24 * Purdue Final Four participant (2024) and Sweet 16 participant (2025) * Game-tying 3-pointer in NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 vs. Houston (2025)<ref name="purdue-roster" /> * Texas Sweet 16 participant (2026) * Game-clinching 3-pointer in NCAA Tournament Second Round vs. Gonzaga (2026)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eberts |first=Wescott |date=2026-03-22 |title=Cam Heide’s late three secures 74-68 win by Texas over Gonzaga |url=https://www.burntorangenation.com/texas-longhorns-basketball/101149/texas-longhorns-74-gonzaga-bulldogs-68-cam-heide |access-date=2026-03-22 |website=Burnt Orange Nation |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Career statistics ==
=== College === {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- ! Year !! Team !! GP !! GS !! MPG !! FG% !! 3P% !! FT% !! RPG !! APG !! BPG !! SPG !! PPG |- | 2022–23 || Purdue || colspan="10" | ''Redshirt'' |- | 2023–24 || Purdue || 39 || 0 || 12.4 || 57.6 || 45.0 || 73.3 || 1.9 || 0.4 || 0.2 || 0.2 || 3.3 |- | 2024–25 || Purdue || 36 || 8 || 19.6 || 49.1 || 39.2 || 80.6 || 3.6 || 0.4 || 0.2 || 0.4 || 4.7 |- |2025-26 |Texas |35 |29 |22.5 |49.3 |45.4 |70.6 |2.7 |0.7 |0.1 |0.4 |5.9 |- ! colspan="2" | Career !! 110 !! 37 !! 18.0 !! 51.3 !! 43.2 !! 76.5 !! 2.7 !! 0.5 !! 0.2 !! 0.3 !! 4.6 |} <small>Source:<ref name="sports-reference">{{cite web |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/camden-heide-1.html |title=Camden Heide College Stats |website=Sports Reference |access-date=}}</ref></small>
== Personal life == Heide is the son of Craig and Kelly Heide.<ref name="purdue-bio" /> His father Craig is a 1979 graduate of Lafayette Jeff High School and a 1984 Purdue graduate, creating a family connection to the Boilermakers program.<ref name="purdue-bio" /> Craig and his siblings Jeff and Ashlyn are Lafayette, Indiana natives who attended Purdue University.<ref name="family-connection">{{cite news |author=Carmin, Mike |date=August 24, 2019 |title=Purdue basketball target Camden Heide cherishes local connection |access-date=}}</ref>
His brother Keaton Heide was a four-year letterwinner at quarterback for South Dakota State from 2019-22, appearing in two FCS National Championship games and winning a national championship in 2022.<ref name="keaton-brother">{{cite news |author=Sherman, John |date=February 21, 2019 |title=Brothers Form Bond With Wayzata Team |url=https://www.mnbasketballhub.com/news_article/show/1144878 |access-date= |work=MN Basketball Hub}}</ref> Keaton completed 113-171 passes for 1,401 yards and nine touchdowns in his college career.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Keaton Heide - 2022 - Football |url=https://gojacks.com/sports/football/roster/keaton-heide/11592 |access-date=2026-04-02 |website=South Dakota State University Athletics |language=en}}</ref> The brothers were high school basketball teammates in 2017-18 and 2018-19.
At Purdue, Heide majored in organizational leadership and maintained a 3.56 cumulative GPA.<ref name="purdue-bio" />
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{Sports links}} * [https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/player/_/id/5105855/camden-heide Camden Heide] at ESPN * [https://purduesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/player/camden-heide Purdue Boilermakers bio] * [https://texaslonghorns.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/camden-heide/15040 Texas Longhorns bio]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Heide, Camden}} Category:2003 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century American sportsmen Category:American men's basketball players Category:Basketball players from Hennepin County, Minnesota Category:Purdue Boilermakers men's basketball players Category:Small forwards Category:Sportspeople from Plymouth, Minnesota Category:Texas Longhorns men's basketball players