Prospect Spotlight: Matt Nicholson (2020)
Clarkston 6-foot-10 center Matt Nicholson is just one in a slew of high-level talent on the front-lines for the Wolves this season.
He’ll have the opportunity to learn from like Taylor Currie and Thomas Kithier this in practice every day.
“I’m probably not going to get a lot of playing time, especially with the two transfers we got, Taylor Currie and Thomas Kithier. So, I’m just going to try and get better at practice playing against them,” said Nicholson, Michigan’s 7th-ranked 2020.
“They’re both high D1 players, so if I can do well against them, I’ll feel like I can do well against anybody.”
It’s safe to say that Clarkston has a wealth of talent on the paint. Nicholson is no slouch himself, and projects as a Division I talent.
He defined his current set of skills to PHMI.
“I’m usually taller than everybody, so it’s easy for me to get the ball in the post and score. When I get to the line, I can hit my free-throws,” said Nicholson.
He spent his 16U summer with North Oakland Wolfpack 16U, and says he played well.
“I played pretty good. I averaged probably 20 points and 12 rebounds and I got a couple triple-doubles,” said Nicholson, who mentioned endurance as a focal point.
“Defending on the perimeter is what I needed to work on most. And also my endurance. A lot of times when I played the whole entire game, I’d have pace myself, so I need to build up endurance.”
When Nicholson does get his minutes this season with the Wolves, his main objective is simply to do what he can to help the team win.
“When I do get playing time, I’m just going to hustle as much as I can,” he said. “And make an impact in any way Io can.”