Carter Matthews | M1 Athletics

Carter Matthews is a quick combo guard who scores effectively at all three levels. He plays with a strong motor and consistently competes with energy on both ends of the floor. Despite his size, Matthews plays much bigger because of his toughness and aggressiveness. He’s a fearless downhill attacker who pressures defenses and embraces contact around the basket. Defensively, he shows good anticipation in passing lanes and creates disruption with his activity. Matthews’ speed, competitiveness, and scoring ability make him a tough matchup in the backcourt.

Matthews has a high basketball IQ that has been on full display. He plays with a strong feel for the game, consistently making smart decisions and keeping his team organized on offense. That intelligence pairs well with his quick first step and ability to get downhill, where he applies pressure on the rim and finishes effectively. He stays under control when attacking, reading defenses well as they collapse and reacting accordingly. Matthews also shows the ability to create advantages for teammates when help comes, making the right pass at the right time. Overall, his blend of decision-making and rim pressure makes him a tough cover for opposing defenses.

Matthews is another player in the 15U division who caught my eye with his effectiveness in transition. A product of Florida’s Milton High School, Carter is already making his mark with M1 Athletics this spring. Despite not having a major size or athleticism advantage, he is persistent in getting into the paint and finishing around bodies. Also, although he loves getting out on the break, Matthews showed some good signs in the half-court offense too, with a confident stroke on the outside and some floaters off the dribble.