Recruiting Report: Matt Austin (2017)
Class of 2017 shooting guard Matt Austin provided one of the most dramatic moments of the early grassroots season. In the Silver Division championship game of the Elevate Hoops Terrific 24 in Indiana, Pile hit a half court shot at…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingClass of 2017 shooting guard Matt Austin provided one of the most dramatic moments of the early grassroots season.
In the Silver Division championship game of the Elevate Hoops Terrific 24 in Indiana, Pile hit a half court shot at the buzzer to give his Team KC 17U a 75-74 victory over Pocket City (IN). Austin’s game-winner hit the front of the rim, bounced straight up in the air and dropped in as time expired, touching off a wild celebration.
“Hitting that shot from half court was an incredible feeling,” Austin said. “It was one of the shots you would practice as a kid in your backyard, so to hit that shot was pretty cool. Right when I shot it, I knew it was going in. If felt good all the way through so I had no doubt it was going to go in.”
Austin’s heroic shot was the climax of what was an excellent tournament for the 6’1″ guard, who averaged close to 20 points in the tournament. A junior at St. Joseph’s Central, Austin has enjoyed an excellent spring season, shooting the ball at a high percentage. Austin’s strong play this spring is no accident. He is highly motivated and wants to prove that he is one of the top guards in the state. So far, so good.
“The key to my individual success so far this month has been that I am playing with a chip on my shoulder,” Austin said. “I think I am underrated as a player, so I go out and play hard every game to prove to everyone that I can play.”
Austin has received some light interest from Division I schools such as Austin Peay and Brown. He is hoping to land a Division I scholarship.
“My goals for the summer are to receive a Division I offer and for my team to continue to win tournaments,” he said. “Winning that tournament felt great for our team’s confidence. We had been fighting through some injuries and lost some players to things like prom, so to win one was a big boost for us.”
A three-year starter at St. Joe Central, Austin averaged 16.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists to lead his team to a 15-11 record. He teams up with fellow 2017 guard Jaiden Bristol to form one of the top backcourts in Missouri. In his three years, Austin is averaging 12.2 points a game.