"A Shooter’s Fire with Three-Level Thunder"

Matthew McCarter

@mattmccarter28

6'8, 183lbs, Class of 2028

Montgomery Bell Academy, TN

Matthew sees the court with a team-first mindset and the confidence to score from anywhere. He can finish in the paint, rise for a middy, or rain in threes, giving him several ways to answer whatever a defense shows him. Yet the first thing he wants people to know is that he plays for his teammates, and that unselfish approach shapes every part of his game.

That team-first mindset grew on the football field, where Matthew played quarterback through his freshman year. Leading an offense taught him to speak up, trust the people beside him, and understand that everyone has a role in a winning play. When he chose to give basketball his full attention, he brought those lessons with him, and they now show in the way he wants to lead on the court.

Last season, Matthew spent the full year on JV and averaged 12 points per game. His team rarely found itself in a close game, but the year gave him time to compete, grow with his teammates, and prepare for a much bigger role. With only two varsity players returning, much of that JV group is moving up together, and Matthew sees a chance for the bond they built to matter when the games become tougher.

His jump shot has been his biggest improvement since that season. Coaches had often placed him in the paint because of his size, leaving a part of his scoring game that he wanted to show people. During AAU play, he made that ability hard to miss by shooting a blistering 48% from three. He's also sharpened his face-up jumper, giving him the confidence to turn toward the basket and score when a defender expects him to stay inside.

The path to this season took a painful turn during the summer. Matthew fractured his ankle, then broke his hand in his second game back at BCAT, cutting into the game experience he'd hoped to get. He couldn't control the timing of either injury, but he could choose how to spend the days between games. He kept working through close to five lifts a week, training the parts of his body that were healthy while building strength for his return. That determination says plenty about how much this season means to him.

There's a deeper reason Matthew is hungry to show his game. He didn't make the eighth-grade A team, saw limited minutes off the freshman bench, and later came off the bench for JV. Those moments stayed with him, but they didn't convince him to quit chasing his chance. He expects to start on varsity this season, and he wants to show how much his game has grown when that chance comes.

Matthew has set his sights on a state championship, a goal that will demand every teammate’s best as this group makes its move to varsity. Coaches can count on him to play hard, share the ball, and make the choice that helps his team win. The feeling of being overlooked fuels his fire, but his focus is bigger than proving a point for himself. He wants to help his teammates build something they can celebrate together.

I assess that Matthew’s face-up game gives him a strong scoring option when a defender closes the lane. He can turn and hit the face-up jumper, making defenders respect his shot while giving himself room to attack off the bounce. That skill can help him find good looks from positions where opponents may first expect a move toward the basket.

Matthew’s passing mindset gives him a way to lift the offense even on possessions when he doesn't shoot. His willingness to spot a teammate and move the ball can help the group find its rhythm, especially as familiar JV teammates share the varsity floor. His best minutes will come when he stays assertive with his own scoring while continuing to see the play developing for everyone else. Stay tuned.