Matthew Jensen '17 Recruiting Profile

I believe in pursuing excellence in all I do on and off the court. Our JV team faced some incredible challenges after many of our players moved to Varsity. Six out of eleven players were playing with our program for the first year. Coach expected me as team captain to encourage and facilitate the development of these new players. Although I scored 349 points this season and made 76 blocks, I could not have done it without the help of my teammates; it was mostly our defense, all five of the guys out on the court working together, that won 17 out of 22 of our games. Having ended the season and made ACSC JV Boys All Conference Team in 2014, I am now playing AAU ball with the Birmingham Blue Devils and have begun a strength training program which I hope to expand during the summer.

HIgh School - As a team player I have worked on developing my skill set in every area possible so that my coach has the flexibility to play me where I am needed. In my first high school season I am starting on JV and I rotate between taking the ball up the court, working the wing, high post, and short corner. I subbed on Varsity and was always looking for ways to make my four teammates on the court better, while actively and vocally organizing the defense. My strengths are reading the court in transition, ball handling against pressure and, most important to me, one-on-one defense anywhere in a half court setting.

AAU - Team ball is really challenging and I am learning to play a much faster-paced game. My role is more as a defensive threat and coach counts on me to block, screen, and rebound yet occasionally subs me in as point guard. Coach is working on making me a more explosive player while I am pushing myself to increase my vertical. 

Academics - I have maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout junior high and this first term in high school as well as fulfilling the criteria for the Eta Sigma Alpha National Homeschool Honor Society and contributing to the community through Key Club events such as nursing home visits and recycling for Childrens Hospital. Taking the PSAT for the first time as a freshman, I scored a 155/240 and I plan to retake it in the fall with the hopes of increasing my score by at least 25-35 points. I will also take the ACT for the first time in September 2014.