Hagen Talks About His Decision

There's no question that USA Basketball has done some great things for prep hoops. You certainly won’t get any argument from Matt Hagen, a skilled 6-foot-9, 235-pound post from Pekin, Illinois. Originally spotted by Rice earlier this summer in Colorado Springs, Hagen has decided to be an Owl and has given the Rice coaching staff a verbal commitment.

"Saturday night I gave my commitment to Coach Willis Wilson," said Hagen. "I was on my official visit and I just fell in love the place. They're an up-and-coming program and they want to restore their tradition."

"I like their style of play; they get up and down the court," he added. "And of course on the academic side they're one of the best in the country."

Hagen chose Rice over offers from Utah and Northern Illinois, and had taken an official visit to Utah just the week before. While the trip to Salt Lake City went well, he simply felt that Rice was a better match. "I have nothing bad to say about Utah," said Hagen. "It was more that I felt I would fit in more at Rice."

Rice first became aware of Hagen and his abilities at USA Basketball's Youth

Developmental Festival in Colorado Springs, where he competed for the North Team.

"Matt was one of 40 or so kids that was selected for the (Olympic Festival)," said Pekin head coach Joe Stoner. "He went up there and Utah and Rice caught wind of him. They both got intense in recruiting him."

Prior to the Festival, Hagen was previously very much an unknown. A lot of it had to do with the fact that he hadn't seen much consistent court time his high school career.

"He fought some injuries his sophomore and junior years, and last year he had a good second half (of the season)," said Stoner. "His name was out there to a degree but a lot of people wanted to wait to see him play this year."

Another factor was that Hagen decided against playing on the AAU circuit; instead focusing on individual workouts. "He didn't play AAU basketball," said Stoner. "Instead he spent the summer on the track. He wanted to make himself a better athlete -- he didn't want to be just another 6-9 post player. Instead he wanted to be one that could run up and down the court."

While Hagen will need to build strength and continue improving his athleticism to succeed at the next level, he is a skilled big man who can face the basket as easily as he can post up. His forte at this point may be stepping out and hitting the elbow jumper -- something Rice paid close attention to.

"On my team I play the five," said Hagen. "But the reason that Rice is bringing me on is because I shoot the 15-16 footer and that fits into their system well."

Defensively, Hagen makes an impact as a legitimate shot-blocker as well. "I take a lot of pride in blocking shots and changing guys’ shots," said Hagen.

While Stoner feels that Hagen is the type of player who can contribute right away in college, he feels that Rice most likes Hagen's potential down the road.

"They just see tremendous upside in him," said Stoner. "He's got the kind of frame that will carry muscle and he's got great true post moves that will only get better in college. His best basketball is probably two years away."

As you would expect, Hagen is a tremendous student. He carries a 3.7 GPA and notched a 27 on the ACT. He plans to major in International Business at Rice. Hagen is Rice's second commitment from the Class of 2004; Houston-area point guard Rodney Foster verbally committed in May.