This is a new day for Matt Coleman. The 6-foot-1 lead guard from Norfolk, Virginia, decided to make the move out of his comfortable abode that was Maury High School, and transfer into the dominant Oak Hill Academy program a few hours eastward within the state borders. However, the culture change is a complete 180 where Coleman went from being the man in the 757, and now becomes another solid piece for what should be quite the year under coach Steve Smith.

Look through the roster that Oak Hill is throwing out onto the floor this year and it would seem that they would be able to beat some divison-1 squads. Names like Harry Giles, Mario Kegler, Braxton Blackwell, Rodney Miller, and Khadim Sy are just a few of those that pop off the page. Heck, even in the backcourt and at the point guard spot, Oak Hill has four guys in the 2017 class that will be top-100 recruits before everything is said and done with in Coleman, Ty-Shon Alexander, Lindell Wigginton, and Devontae Shuler. Why the move, as a junior, and with a younger brother heading to Maury this fall as a freshman? “It was just a sacrifice that is going to make me better.”

This past summer, Coleman ran on the Nike EYBL circuit and his squad didn’t enjoy the success that they had the prior year in lacing his shoes up for the Boo Williams crew, though he still averaged close to 10 points, three assists, and three rebounds per game. Where Coleman’s greatest value can’t be seen on the stat sheet yet the very mature and composed junior is a consummate leader and teammate at the point guard spot as he directs his team like a savvy veteran and understands the many nuances of the game that others can’t get their hands around. Asked on what he will bring to the floor, the Boo Williams product noted, “Just to keep everyone level-headed.”

There were major sells that enabled for Coleman to make the move out of his humble abode in the Hampton Roads area, of which he spoke on further. “I liked the competitive setting every day in practice, preparation for college, the national schedule, and playing alongside high level guys every day.”

However, the move wasn’t as easy as it seemed where the junior guard left the chance to play alongside his brother, Chase, during his first year of high school play at Maury High this winter. The freshman guard is no slouch on the hardwood either, where he recently picked up his first offer from Old Dominion a few weeks back and the older brother is already giving his own two cents to his Chase and about being ‘the guy’ at Maury. “It is going to come with a lot of critics and fans, but I just tell him to be humble and enjoy it all.”

On his own recruiting front, things have begun to pick up some steam. Where Coleman held offers from Virginia and Old Dominion before he ever played in a high school game, things are still a long ways away from a commitment occurring. However, the Oak Hill transfer did mention who he is hearing from the most. “Arizona, Texas, Virginia, ODU, Ohio State, NC State, Indiana, Florida, Seton Hall, and I recently heard from Kansas.”

Now enjoying his first few days on campus at Oak Hill this week, Coleman’s next decision will be as to where he can flourish at the college level, of which he has a feel in what he is looking for. “A place that I can play right away, quality academics, and history in the coaching staff.”

One of the best point guards in America, expect for Coleman to gain even greater experience under his belt in the coming years at Oak Hill and continue to cement himself as one of the elite lead guard options within his class come 2017.