McHugh Mattis commits to USF

[Guest HowieP1]

College basketball

SPC's Mattis commits to USF

By GREG AUMAN, Times Staff Writer

Published November 5, 2004

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TAMPA - Less than a week before the early signing period begins, the USF men's basketball team picked up its third oral commitment, from McHugh Mattis, a 6-foot-6, 185-pound guard/forward from St. Petersburg College.

"He plans to go to USF. He made his decision and has told the coaches," said Mattis' father, Hugh, from the family's home near Fort Lauderdale.

Mattis, 20, wasn't recruited heavily out of Coconut Creek High, where he was an honorable mention all-state selection. He has grown 3 inches since coming to SPC, where he was a second-team All-Suncoast Conference selection as a freshman for coach Earnest Crumbley.

Crumbley could not be reached for comment Thursday night, but he said this week that Mattis was leaning toward USF. Mattis, who was born in Jamaica and moved to the United States when he was 3, averaged 12.5 points and 5.0 rebounds as a freshman. Defensively, he blocked 104 shots last season.

"He wanted to go there because it's much closer to home for him," his father said. "When I speak with coach (Robert) McCullum, I can tell he can teach McHugh a whole lot."

The Bulls have commitments from guards Zaronn Cann of Brandon and Chris Howard of Notre Dame Academy in Fitchburg, Mass. Cann attended a USF scrimmage on Saturday and both are expected to sign with USF next week.

SECOND SCRIMMAGE: Senior forward Terrence Leather led the Bulls in scoring during their second intrasquad scrimmage in six days, and coach Robert McCullum was pleased with his team's progress defensively.

"I thought our effort and intensity on the defensive end was far better," McCullum said. "I feel good about that. Our shooting percentage wasn't as good as (Saturday's first scrimmage), so I hope that's a reflection of our defense."

Leather had 23 points and 13 rebounds, both team highs, and Melvin Buckley, a transfer from Purdue who will sit out this season, scored 18. Point guard Brian Swift had 17 points and a team-best six assists and was joined in double figures by guard Marius Prekevicius (13), center Konimba Diarra (12) and guard Marlyn Bryant (10).

USF has played both scrimmages without three players, out more than a week with undisclosed injuries or illnesses: senior guard Bradley Mosley, a returning starter; and freshman guard Montavious Waters and junior forward Maurice Mobley, two first-year players expected to contribute.

The Bulls will travel to Tallahassee for a closed, unscored exhibition with Florida State on Sunday.

[Last modified November 5, 2004, 01:26:06]

http://www.sptimes.com/2004/11/05/Sports/SPC_s_Mattis_commits_.shtml

General Information

about McHugh Mattis:    Individual Stats

for McHugh Mattis:

High School: Coconut Creek   Avg. Points: 0   FT Percentage: 0

Position: Guard   Avg. Rebounds: 0   Personal Fouls: 0

Major: Undecided   Avg. Steals: 0   Avg. Assists: 0

SPC Info: McHugh is one of the best wing players in the State of Florida. A tremendous athlete and player on both ends of the floor. He was selected to the Second Team All Suncoast Conference as a Freshman and averaged 12.5 points and was second in the State with 4 blocks per game. He is a high major Div. I player.

http://it.spcollege.edu/cfdevelop/alans/mensbasketballw/roster/team_rosterinfo.cfm?roster_id=66

"McHugh Mattis is an (Atlantic Coast Conference)-Big East (Conference) type player," Crumbley said. "We'll rely on him a lot this season."

http://www.sptimes.com/2004/10/28/Sports/Don_t_discount_SPC_s_.shtml

[Velcro]

center Konimba Diarra (12) and guard Marlyn Bryant (10).

Diarrha and Bryant played well... those are 2 big question marks this year... hope they turn out to be good contributors.

Any one see Mattis play before?  He's got some height, 6'6, but 15 lbs lighter than Baxter, for similar heights.

[Guest HowieP1]

Here is a link to the SPC basketball schedule in case someone wants to go to a game:

http://instcomp.spjc.cc.fl.us/cfdevelop/alans/mensbasketballw/schedule/index.cfm

They lost their first game the other night, but Mattis was a leading scorer with 14 points.

http://www.starbanner.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041103/NEWS/41103005/1026/SPORTS

[Guest HowieP1]

Velcro...Rivals lists him as 6'6 215, so he may be heavier than mentioned in the SPT article.

http://rivalshoops.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=2&pr_key=32563

[Velcro]

thats much better...  more of a SF size.

[bulls96go]

weight training he will add 10lbs the first year and coach mac will get him

playing defence great pick up