Recruiting Report: Matt Bailey (2017)
For 5’10” point guard Matt Bailey (2017) and his Grove City Christian teammates, this 15-1 start to their senior season has been a long time in the making. “We have eight seniors currently. And we have played together, I kid…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingFor 5’10” point guard Matt Bailey (2017) and his Grove City Christian teammates, this 15-1 start to their senior season has been a long time in the making.
“We have eight seniors currently. And we have played together, I kid you not, from 7th grade on. So, I mean, our chemistry in general has been, I mean, we flow together,” Bailey said.
This six-year stretch is the time period when a prospect develops his style of play, skills, and habits. Bailey has always been the leader.
“As a point guard, you’re the leader of the team, and I take that role seriously. I get all of our team’s offense going. I have our momentum,” Bailey explained.
Grove City Christian has risen to the #2 spot in the most recent AP poll in Division IV. With onlookers weighing their chances to make a state title run, Bailey, the leader, is taking a veteran approach to the remainder of the season.
“To be honest, we’re not looking too far into the future. We’re just taking it one game at a time. I mean, we have a huge game [tonight] against Harvest Prep at home. Then, a big game against Wellington this upcoming Tuesday,” Bailey said.
Bailey affects the game with more than just his intangibles. The up-tempo system Bailey leads is a byproduct of his best abilities.
“I’m very fast and I’m very fundamental. Like I said, transition is my game, I like pushing the ball up the floor. I’ll get the rebound and just go. I’m a decent outside shooter. I’ve gotten my free throw percentage up pretty well. And I’m a pretty good ball-handler. I have amazing court vision, I can see my teammates cut from anywhere,” Bailey said.
In the half-court, Bailey’s patience is also rather impressive, especially given how much emphasis he puts on pushing the ball. He probes in the mid-range, looking for a moment’s worth of separation to hit the jumper.
The 3.3 GPA student-athlete is currently a D-II/D-III prospect. Despite his impressive resume, he remains without an offer.
“Mount Vernon has texted me, Marietta, Otterbein, a big bunch of D-IIIs. My coach has mentioned that ODU, Findlay, Lake Erie, and Ashland from the D-II level have been emailing him,” Bailey said.
A key factor to his eventual decision will be who offers an Aviation or Physical Therapy major. Bailey is not concerned with the school location whatsoever.
Frankly, PHO would be stunned if Bailey doesn’t land at a D-II or D-III basketball program. Bailey can flat-out play on the offensive end. While he mentioned that his quickness on the defensive end needs to improve, Bailey is still a decent athlete.
If you’re not able to see him in the regular season, Bailey and Grove City Christian may provide opportunities for scouts to check them out late into this year’s OHSAA playoffs.