Four Offers for Houston Hoops Forward
Matt Wheaton, an all-around, 6-foot-6, 190-pound forward from Mayde Creek High
School in Katy, Tex., wants to make a decision on his collegiate future. After
Advertisement
a successful summer tour with the Houston Hoops, Wheaton has come back home,
received some offers, and is in the process of sorting them out.
While a number of schools have been involved in Wheaton's recruiting since it
started, it has now been narrowed down to a select few. Kansas State, Colorado
State, Rice, and Wichita State are the four schools who have current offers to
Wheaton. Oklahoma and Stanford are both still involved as well. Boston
College, who had previously offered when Wheaton was not ready to commit, has
dropped off the list. Wheaton would like to sign in the fall and doesn't plan
on taking all five official visits, and only wants to visit a school that has
offered. Currently, Kansas State is one of his leaders. He likes what's going
on up in Manhattan.
"They're building a program there," said Wheaton. "They got a good recruiting
class this past year. And of course, they're in the Big 12."
But according to Wheaton, hometown Rice is right up there, neck-and-neck with
Kansas State. The Owls have already gotten a commitment from Mayde Creek
teammate and friend Rodney Foster, which obviously attracts him to the program.
He has already made an unofficial visit to the campus and likes the coaching
staff and what they are doing.
"They're an up-and-coming program too," said Wheaton. "Rice is on the rise."
Staying close to his Katy home appears to be a factor in his decision.
"At first I didn't think so," said Wheaton. "But now it seems like being close
to home would be good. At the very least, in the Midwest."
Also, where Wheaton can improve his game and his knowledge will be important as
well.
"I want to go where I can develop the most," said Wheaton. "Education will be
a big factor too."
An outstanding student, Wheaton is a full qualifier with a sparkling 3.7 GPA.
He would like to major in Computer Technology in college. On the court,
Wheaton is well-balanced as well, playing a number of positions for Mayde Creek
head coach Ojay Heil.
"He can play either the three or the four," said Heil. "He's good all-around.
He shoots well from the outside and can take guys inside too. I think his size
on the outside makes him valuable. Schools are looking at him playing the
three and also moving to the four sometimes to create matchup difficulties."
Solid on the catch-and-shoot and a good finisher, Wheaton sees his versatility
as a way of being able to stay on the floor.
"I try to do a little bit of everything," said Wheaton. "The more versatile
you are, the more you can play, and can play at any position."
Wheaton could stand to get stronger, and will need to work on his ball-handling
and his one-on-one game for college. But in all, Wheaton is a young man who
Heil feels will be a great catch for whatever school he decides to sign with.
"He's got good grades, he's a good person, and he understands the game really
well," said Heil. "You can't ask for much more."
Jed Tai is a senior writer with Hoopville.com