By Paul Casey Gotham
Midway through the first half of a recent contest, St. Bonaventure’s Matthew Wright came off a screen and flaired to the outer third of the floor. After catching a pass through a tangle of hands and arms, he pivoted, surveying the court. With the defense pursuing from behind, Wright advanced the ball one dribble and, despite having an opening in front of him, threaded a diagonal pass to a teammate at the opposite free throw line extended. Two quick passes later, the Bonnies finished a layup.
The scoreboard advanced in favor of the visitors en route to a 13-point halftime lead. SBU’s student section, which helped fill to capacity the “Taps” Gallagher Center on the campus of Niagara University, roared its approval. Wright gave a slight fist pump before making the transition to defense.
A simple play involving five teammates combining to break a press. Instead of using the situation to display his talents in the open court, Wright created space for a teammate with a well-timed pass. The result benefited the team and continued to show the growing influence of a young player whose game is long on substance without abandoning style.
“He gives that calming influence to the team,” said Bona head coach Mark Schmidt. “He gives me a lot of confidence when he has the ball. He makes good decisions.”
As a freshman, he averaged slightly more than 16 minutes per game. Making economic use of his time and touches Wright hit six of seven from the field in late January for a career-high 18 points against George Washington. The Toronto, Canada native followed that two weeks later with 15 points on five-of-seven shooting in a home win over Duquesne.
“He got off to tough start as a freshman,” Schmidt added. “I think he was one-for-21 from threes and then he had a great second half of the year. He’s brought that into his sophomore year. When he shoots the ball, we’re that much better.”
Wright currently averages 30 minutes per game this season. He has played 34 or more minutes in five of Bona’s last six games. The only exception being a 24-point blowout win over St. Francis (Pa.). A game in which Wright scored 15 going five-of-nine from the perimeter.
“Initially, we brought him off the bench,” Schmidt said thinking back to the beginning of the year. “When (Bona senior guard) Michael Davenport got hurt, we put him into the starting lineup, and he’s been really good for us.”
Rewarded with more playing time, Wright has made good with a team-leading three assists per game, but numbers fall short of explaining his impact.
It is something that ESPN College Basketball Analyst Doug Gottlieb noticed while watching game films to prepare for the broadcast of SBU’s game against Illinois.
“It jumps out at you,” the former Oklahoma State star said recently. “He’s an integral part of what they do on offense. He seems to have that genuine feel.”
Talking about the difficult process of recruiting that can become more problematic for small universities like St. Bonaventure, Gottlieb explained how a player like Wright can succeed in the Bonaventure program.
“It might be the difference between American AAU and where he grew up.”
Wright credits John Clara of the Scadding Court AAU basketball program in downtown Toronto with fostering an interest in the game during his teen years.
“We would have practices four times a week for three, three and half hours to simulate what it was like to be in a division one practice,” Wright explained. “I came down here (to St. Bonaventure), and it really wasn’t much of a shock. I was able to adjust quickly.”
Wright has taken the work ethic developed during those years and extended it beyond the boundaries of practice and game time. After Bona’s Atlantic 10 opener, a triumph over George Washington, he made his way back to an empty Reilly Center. Long after the exchange of congratulatory handshakes, Wright continued working on his game with a teammate volunteering to rebound.
“I do it from time to time. Usually my body will tell me when something is wrong like my mechanics feel off. You got to listen to your body. It’s what I’m here for. It’s my job, so I don’t see it as extra work. It’s something you got love to do.”
For now, Wright will continue putting in his time, and the Brown and White will benefit from the influence of his work ethic.
Great read. Favorite line: “whose game is long on substance without abandoning style.” Every team needs a player like this. Someone not afraid to follow a game plan even when he sees an opening for himself. Role player is thrown around so much, so is glue guy. But players like this seem to be more unique nowadays. That extra pass to get a teammate going, that simple fake that opens up one side of the floor. Love to see that stuff.
Rey, I agree with you. Had the opportunity to watch Wright and it never looks like the game is too fast for him. To me a lot like Juan Fernandez of Temple. Makes the extra pass, will do the little stuff to get another guy open, and if forgotten about – will bury a jumper on you.
Even better news for the Bonnies – he keeps getting better and better with each game.
Rey and Smitty,
Thanks for the reads and comments. In response to your takes, I was thinking we should nominate our “all slow” team – using this with the highest possible regard of course. Fernandez and Wright would certainly get first consideration.