INDIANAPOLIS – Matt Coleman is off to a strong start on the spring AAU circuit, and he is still adding schools to his long list of suitors.
The 6-foot-2 guard from Virginia has long been a target for Louisville, Indiana, Texas and several other programs, and Duke has entered the fray, telling Coleman that he could be an important piece for the Blue Devils if incoming point guard Frank Jackson ends up being a one-and-done prospect.
But for now, Coleman says he is keeping his recruitment “wide open.”
“I want to see how all my sessions go, how Peach Jam goes, and then after that, (put) a list down,” said Coleman, who is the sixth-best point guard in his class according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.
“I know most of my seniors at Oak Hill committed right before their senior season so they could focus on their season, so I’ll probably commit around then. I’m just letting it all play out right now.”
Louisville appears to be one of the schools pushing the hardest for Coleman, who is averaging 14.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists through five games with his Boo Williams AAU team.
Coleman said Kenny Johnson, who has known Coleman for years and once recruited him as an Indiana assistant, has been in constant contact.
“We’ve had a relationship for a while,” Coleman said, smiling. “He puts the pressure on me – ‘When are you going to get the job done (and commit)?'”
Louisville coach Rick Pitino has been in touch, too, offering Coleman pointers on his game as the staff evaluates prospects over the Nike live-stream.
The university has self-imposed a recruiting travel ban on its coaches for the month of April as the NCAA continues its investigation into allegations against the program, so the staff stays in touch with Coleman over the phone.
“I’m looking forward to an unofficial (visit),” Coleman said of U of L. “It looks nice – the Yum! Center. I’m not going to beat them down because of what happened last year. When I get there, everything should be better.”
In addition to Duke, Indiana, Louisville and Texas, Coleman said Arizona, Florida, NC State, Ohio State and Seton Hall are in contact with him on a daily basis.
As he works on paring down his list of college options, Coleman said he has specific things he’s looking for in a school.
“What guys do they have there?” Coleman said. “What guys are going to be around me, to make my job easier and theirs easier? Another thing is, do their guys get better each year? Do they send guys to the next level?”
Coleman’s rankings
247: 59th overall, 15th PG
ESPN: 21st overall, 3rd PG
Rivals: 35th overall
Scout: 29th overall, 5th PG
2015 NIKE EYBL. SESSION 3. Houston, TX.
