Shaw: Versatile Offensive Player
Matt Shaw, the No. 30 ranked player in the class of 2006, spoke with Rivals.com at the Boo Williams Invitational Tournament. The 6-foot-8, 230-pound power forward has a list of six with one favorite.
"My favorites are Florida State, Duke, Georgia Tech, Florida, Miami, and Southern Cal,” said Shaw of Verbum Dei High School in Las Angeles. “Right now I'd say Florida State is my leader."
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One draw for Florida State is that it reminds Shaw of his west coast state.
"I went to the state of Florida and liked it a lot,” he said. “It reminded me of California. I’ve been watching FSU play on television and like what I’ve seen. I like how they push the ball on offense and get after it on defense."
Playing for California Elite, Shaw displayed a variety of ways to score. He hit jump hooks, used the glass on tough transition shots, pulled up off the dribble for mid-range jumpers, and hit threes.
Shaw is by no means an explosive athlete, but he is very smart, very skilled, and athletic enough to get it done. He does not need much of a window to get the ball in the basket or in the hands of a scorer, and he knows how to use his body to maintain position inside.
Offensively, Shaw is a small forward who is effective both inside and outside. He will need to improve his foot speed, however, to guard quick players on the perimeter.
"I need to work on my defense,” said Shaw. “I need to get quicker to be able to guard a smaller man."
"I think my greatest strength is my offense. I feel I can play a couple different positions. I can play in the post or on the perimeter if I have to."