No. 12 junior Matthews to Kentucky
St. Rita guard Charles Matthews, committed to Kentucky on Wednesday.
The 6-foot-6, 180-pound point guard selected the Wildcats over Illinois, Kansas, Marquette and Michigan State.
Matthews applied a Kentucky hat after making his decision before fellow pupils at St. Rita's gymnasium.
"This was a place I felt that can actually aid me attain my desire," Matthews claimed. "I really felt a wonderful connection with the coaching staff and have a good chance to gain there. They're going to get me far better as a gamer.
"I couldn't precisely put my finger on it, but I really felt a sixth sense. I went there and took a seat with the training personnel, complied with the players, got the tour. I just felt, 'This is me. This is where I would like to be.'".
St. Rita train Gary DeCesare, a former college assistant train, boasted Matthews' ability to play numerous positions and believes that he will certainly fit in well under Kentucky instructor John Calipari.
"Charles is an unique gamer," DeCesare said. "He's got fantastic adaptability. I use him almost everywhere. In his three years, I have actually played him from point player to center. He's acquired that convenience. He's a simple little one. He's a really hard worker. He intends to excel. He attempts to do every little thing perfect.
"He's had fantastic trainers recruit him. Any kind of location would certainly have been a fantastic fit. I've understood Coach Cal for a long time. Several of our players have actually played for him at UMass and via his profession. He'll okay right in the Kentucky device.".
Matthews wouldn't call a second-place finisher, however he said it was challenging declining his home-state school, Illinois.
Matthews' close friend and Illini recruit D.J. Williams, a junior at Simeon, attended Matthews' news conference.
"That was actually difficult," Matthews shared. "Coach [John] Groce and his personnel did an amazing work of sponsoring me. Coach Groce is in the rebuilding phase of that program. Me being close to D.J., that was hard. At the end of the day, I understood Kentucky was better for me. I needed to do what was ideal for me.".
Calipari has actually had current success landing several of the Chicago area's top gamers. Marian Catholic elderly point guard Tyler Ulis, which is rated No. 24, is authorized with Kentucky, and New Orleans Pelicans ahead Anthony Davis, who went to Viewpoints in Chicago, also played at Kentucky. Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose, who went to Simeon, played for Calipari at Memphis.
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Ulis and Matthews were colleagues last summer season in club basketball with MeanStreets. Matthews claimed he talked to Ulis regarding Kentucky.
"We repeated the summer season together," Matthews claimed. "We had a great deal of success. He's a great point guard, the most effective in his training. That opened my eyes up a whole lot.".
Matthews is Kentucky's first sponsor among 2015.
