Bluebloods eye the talents of Matt Coleman
Mouth of Wilson, VA
It was the final day of pool play prior to bracket competition at the coveted Nike Peach Jam on Friday evening. While there were tons of eyes placed on the play at the Riverview Parks Activities Center, the Peach Invitational Tournament, an event run for the programs that weren’t fortunate enough to make the premier event, took place a few miles away. Matt Coleman used the platform to showcase just what he brings to the floor as some of the very best programs took in the 2017 lead guard.
A relatively well-known name now as the 757 native enters his final year of play this fall, Matt Coleman is one of the quickest and toughest players with the basketball in his hands. A product of the Oak Hill Academy program, the 6-foot-1 guard has seen his stock soar the past few weeks. He made the first initial cut for the USA U18 team and has rounded out his game with an improved mid-range jumper and has polished his right hand from off the bounce.
Due to the lacking amount of talent in the 2017 class at the point guard position along the consistent play of the Boo Williams product, it became a who’s who to see the speedy lefty on Friday morning. The likes of Roy Williams, Rick Pitino, Jim Boeheim, Ed Cooley, Buzz Williams, along with assistants from Arizona, Stanford, Texas, and Ohio State were all front and center for premier guard.
One of those brand new schools in the mix is the Syracuse Orange, a program that has caught Coleman’s eye. “Coach Boeheim saw me last week at USA Camp,” he said. “He fell in love with me. I talk to Coach Red (Autry) every day. They want me to come up and visit when I can.”
While things have changed a bit, Coleman grew up a fan of the UNC basketball program and the interest from the ACC blueblood has still caught the Boo Williams’ product’s eye. “It still feels really good. It is Roy Williams, you know,” Coleman said. “It is all about loyalty and how much he has prioritized me. We have a great relationship. “
Fighting for a spot on the USA U18 squad has allowed for Coleman to see how it might feel to play for its head coach in Shaka Smart as Texas is a perceived leader for him. “He is a player’s coach. I love how he carries himself,” the floor general stated.
Now entering his final month of travel ball, while there is still a bevy of college programs involved for Coleman, he is looking of cutting things down soon. “I am probably going to think about things at USA Camp next week. I might cut things down to a group of 11 or 10 schools,” the top-100 guard stated. “I will probably take some more unofficial visits in August and take my official visits in October and November. I want to officially visit Texas and Arizona, but that isn’t stamped yet.”
Whichever the case, assume that for all of those in pursuit to continue to hastily chase after one of the best talents that there is at the point guard spot, a guy that can come in from day one and immediately contribute in the backcourt as Coleman brings loads of intellect and a floor sense to the hardwood each time out.
