Recruiting Report: Matt Coleman (2017)

By Israel Potoczny

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — On Wednesday, Oak Hill 2017 Matt Coleman picked up his latest offer from the Oregon Ducks, and on Thursday, the talented point guard led his Oak Hill squad to a runaway win in the opening round of the 2016 Bass Pro Tournament of Champions.

Coleman said he hears a lot from Virginia, Texas, Indiana, Florida, Arizona, North Carolina State, Alabama and Louisville. And while there there are a few schools on the long list that he likes, he is still open and hasn’t chosen to cut his list publicly.

“There are others that are still trying to get involved and I’m all ears right now,” he said.

Coleman said he wants to see how the summer goes on the prestigious Nike EYBL circuit before making any decisions.

“I’m going to see how the summer and EBYL goes and maybe see how I look after the first two sessions then get an idea about cutting my list,” Coleman said. “Probably before my senior year I’ll take my visits and hopefully before out first game I’ll be able to choose my school.”

Coleman said he hasn’t really had time to take unofficial visits to this point.

A natural point guard that is crafty and brings charisma to the court, Oak Hill head coach Steve Smith says Coleman has the ability to keep everyone on a talented squad involved.

“Matt is our floor leader, our point guard, and the guy that keeps everybody happy,” Smith said. “He gets shots for the other guys and is a very smart player. He usually knows when a guy needs a shot.

“He runs our offense and usually guards at the point of our defense.”

“My teammates love playing with me, I get up and down the court in transition and my pullup jumper off the dribble — that is my strong suit,” Coleman said.

Although he is ranked among the top point guards in the country, Coleman said he can be even better and is working on several aspects of his game.

“I need to get my ballhandling a little stronger, it is good, but it can be better,” he said. “And the jump shot, on a consistent basis, it can be better.

“And being a lockdown defender on a consistent basis. I can do it, but I need to be determined and motivated all the time.”

On Thursday, Coleman put together a well-rounded stat line in a runaway 73-38 win over local Missouri team Bolivar, totaling 11 points, three rebounds, four assists in 26 minutes.

Played at Missouri State University, the Tournament of Champions is among the nations premier high school basketball tournaments, drawing record crowds each year. With the win, Oak Hill advances to face Seattle Rainer Beach in a semifinal game at 8 p.m. today.

“It was packed, it is a nice facility, playing in a Division I college and all the fans coming out from this area,” Coleman said. “There was a lot of love.”