Introducing Mr. Basketball Candidate #3: Matt Mims
As part of our preseason content, we’re counting down the top dozen candidates for this year’s Mr. Basketball award, presented annually to the top senior in the state. The list continues with our No. 3 player, Cedar Rapids Xavier point guard Matt Mims, a two-time defending state champion in Class 3A who has signed with South Dakota State.
Name: Matt Mims
Height: 6-2
Position: PG
School: Cedar Rapids Xavier
2016-17 stats: 398 points (15.3/game), 93 rebounds (3.6), 135 assists (5.2), 44 steals (1.7), 44.8 FG%, 33.3 3P%, 76.2 FT%
Career stats: 700 points (13.7/game), 196 rebounds (3.8), 237 assists (4.6), 101 steals (2.0), 45.5 FG%, 35.2 3P%, 77.9 FT%
About Mims: While Mims’ career numbers aren’t as eye-popping as some of the other players on this countdown, he has something that no other player on the list has – a pair of state championships to his name. He’s been the best player on a pair of state title winning teams at Xavier, and is the primary reason they are considered one of the favorites to win yet again in Class 3A. A gifted point guard who is equally adept as a scorer or facilitator, he’s at his best when he’s using his quickness and athleticism to attack the rim and score or set up his teammates. He’s signed to play college basketball at South Dakota State.
Why he can win Mr. Basketball: Who doesn’t like winners? A pair of state titles should go a long way in the minds of voters, and if Mims is able to lead the Saints back into state title contention again, he’ll have to be considered a serious candidate.
Odds he wins Mr. Basketball: Better than anyone on this list not named Green or Wieskamp, but still slim. Even if he doesn’t take home the award, he already has two state championships to his name, which is something that no other player in the state (other than teammate Jackson Joens) can currently say.