Player Profile: Matt Van Tassel (2018/Mt. View HS)
Mountain View High School in Bend has a rich tradition of great team success as well as numerous individual players who have gone on to play at the collegiate level including division 1 programs like Boise State and Washington State. 2018 post Matt Van Tassel looks to be the next in line to carry on the Cougars tradition of guys moving on to the next level.
The 6’7 big man is playing with Team Fly this spring & summer coming off a high school season that saw him average 17 points and 7 rebounds per game in his third season as a varsity letterman. The Cougars finished 2nd in the Intermountain Conference and lost in the round of 16 of the state playoffs. We caught up with Van Tassel this week to recap the season & preview the AAU schedule. “Not getting to the state tournament was a little bit of a disappointment, but we were really young without much varsity experience, so all things considered, it was a really positive year.” When discussing his aau program Team Fly, Van Tassel expressed his excitement for the opportunity to play in front of college programs. “We’ve got a really talented roster and are playing in some quality tournaments. We all should have opportunities to impress college coaches.” “We have a nice mix of size and guards that should let us match up with most teams we will play.”
When thinking about the future, Van Tassel said he’s starting to hear from a lot of colleges around the Northwest like Willamette, Northwest Nazarene, OIT, Whitman, and more. “I’m preferably looking for a school on the west coast or mid west where I can play basketball and study business or sports management. Finding the best fit is more important to me than playing at the highest level.”
Asked to assess his strengths and weaknesses, Van Tassel was honest in his evaluation. “My biggest assets are my strength and ability to finish around the basket. I’m also a good passer for my position and really focus on rebounding. Areas that I need to improve this off season include, ball handling, footwork, and slowing down a little bit when I get the ball.”
Prep Hoops Oregon Evaluation:
Matt Van Tassel is currently the #9 ranked player in our 2018 rankings. The 6’7 post from Mt. View in Bend is a physical presence who uses his strength and athleticism to dominate around the rim. A high motor player, Van Tassel needs to improve his footwork, especially with his back to the basket to reach his ceiling. He is playing for Team Fly from Beaverton this summer and is worth a watch if you’re a D2, NAIA, or D3 program.