Player Feature: AJ Mathew, A.A. Huron

Sometimes you just have to give respect to where respect is due…and that is the case in this player feature.  With the basketball season right around the corner Ann Arbor Huron’s AJ Mathew is in the gym preparing to take care of business just like he has the last two years for his River Rats and for his Common Bond AAU team in the springs and summers.

Matthew has some what slipped under the cracks in a loaded 2011 class here in Michigan, but trust me when I say that he is just as talented as any player in Michigan.  “Honestly, I do feel disrespected by flying under the radar in recruiting and rankings. A big factor in that is because I come from the Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor area. State-wide known basketball players don’t usually come from around here.  My name first started getting out there in the 6th grade, and has been there ever since.  I always find myself in the top 10 in the 2011 class, or in the top 2 of my position, but a lot of people forget about me when it comes to “best players in the state”.  I don’t blame them, some haven’t seen me play, some like my game, and some don’t. Everyone has different opinions.  I use it all as motivation, good or bad.  I feel that way I play the game skill-wise fits in with anyone in this class.  I may not have the best height, the quickest feet, the “crazy leaps”, but I do have a high basketball IQ and I play with heart every possession of every game.  I feel this is what sets me apart from a lot of other people,” states Mathew.

Rankings and recruitment might not be exactly where Mathew deserves it to be but numbers don’t lie and Matthew has the numbers to back up his game.  His freshman year he played on Huron’s varsity team and he contributed instantly with an 8 point, 4 rebound, and 3 assist per game average.

Mathew’s sophomore year his averages boosted up to 15 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assist per game while he earned all SEC Conference first team, All Metro East 2nd team, All-Area 1st team, and AP All-State honorable mention honors.  Mathew’s ability to contribute so highly as a sophomore also helped his team capture a district crown to go with a 20-3 record.  Highlighting the record was a 13 game win streak and an undefeated record at home.  “We had a great year last year but we have a lot of unfinished business.  I am trying to keep myself and the rest of my team hungry for more.  Nobody on last year’s team was satisfied with where we ended up, so we have a lot of work to do.  I am determined to improve all of my numbers this season and take my game to another level on and off the court.  I am the lead captain this year and I learned a lot from being a captain as a sophomore, now I know what it takes to get to where we want to be,” said Mathew.

Mathew has always been labeled as a combo guard that can flat out score in a variety of ways.  He is also getting tagged as a proven leader and winner with the early success he has found in both high school and AAU.  “I would describe my game as unpredictable. Back in middle school people knew me as more of a shooter, years later people started to see my ability to pass and score off the dribble. Now in high school, people agree that I am an all around player. I can shoot, pass, dribble, and play defense. My game has evolved over the years, and with hard work, it should continue to improve in a positive way,” claims Mathew.

I paid close attention to AJ last month at the Bankhoops mini-camp in Swartz Creek.  I was very impressed with AJ’s ability to run the point.  At 6-3 AJ usually plays the off guard or out on the wing.  But at the Bankhoops camp AJ ran the point and was very successful at moving the ball and putting his teammates in position to be successful.  I could tell AJ has really put in the time to work on his game.  “I workout with my trainer Troy Coleman, he played over seas for some years and he knows how the European players play the game. He teaches me some of the tricks, and techniques that the European and American players use to elevate me to the next level.  I lift weights every other day, with a specified basketball workout in the weight room. Every night before sleep I do push ups, sit ups, and calf raises.  I try to get 400-500 shots up whenever a rim is near,” said Mathew.

Mathew’s recruiting is heading in the right direction as he has received some type of interest from nearly every school in the Midwest.  “Recruiting is good at times and bad at others times. Sometimes things get HOT! And sometimes things move a little slow.  During the summer I took unofficial visits to Dayton and Cleveland State.  This fall I have visited Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan,” said Mathew.  Other schools that have shown high interest have been Michigan, Notre Dame, Georgetown, IUPUI, U of D Mercy, Colgate, Colombia, Kent State, Wright State, and Iowa.

While Mathew is unsure where he will end up playing college ball he knows exactly what he is looking for in a university.  “My goal is to go to a Div. 1 school on a full ride Scholarship.  I would like to go somewhere that makes me feel comfortable in the community and the society, where the people respect you for who you are, not what you bring.  As far as the basketball program, I would like a coach that is easy to talk to, get along with, and of course someone I can play for.  I want a college with a winning attitude, and a coach who wants success for his players on and off the court.  I get along with a lot of coaches, so I am not too worried about that,” adds Mathew.

One thing that separates Matthew from his competition is the pride he takes in working as hard as possible, and not just on the court but in the classroom as well.  Matthew has kept a consistent 4.0 GPA through out high school.  After talking to Mathew I came to the conclusion, that while the recruiting process can be worrying at times, patience will definitely pay off for Mathew.  Below is highlight tape of Mathew from this summer.