Two statements made about Cedric describe the type basketball player he was. Northwestern coach said, He's an excellent athlete, a guy who can shoot the three pointer and a guy who can take it to the hole and explode over people." Current Tennessee basketball Coach Cuonzo Martin said of Cedric, "He was one of my toughest match ups, always played hard." A  1991 graduate of Colbert County High School, Cedric was a four year starter for the Indians, playing for Hall of Fame Members Arthur Andrews and Steve Mask. He was All-Area in 1989, 1990, and 1991. He was named to the 4A All-State Basketball Team in 1990 ad 1991 along with being named the 1991 Times Daily Player of the Year. Upon graduating from high school Cedric received a basketball scholarship to Northwestern University where he was a four year starter for the Wildcats, averaging 14.1 points per game during his career. He was the team MVP for the 1993 season and was selected a permanent team captain in 1995. At the time his Northwestern career ended in 1995, Cedric was the eighth leading all time scorer in Northwestern Basketball history and was in the top twenty in rebounding.