Written by Brendan F. Quinn at Michigan Live
After an offseason of attrition, Michigan basketball has finally secured a substantial addition.
It will just take a year to see.
But once 2017-18 arrives, Kentucky transfer Charles Matthews will have a key spot in the Wolverines’ rotation.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Goodman, Matthews, a transfer from Kentucky and once a top-100 national recruit, will commit to Michigan.
Scout.com’s Evan Daniels later confirmed the report with Matthews’ former high school coach, Gary DeCesare.
Matthews has remained hushed throughout a transfer process that came down to U-M and Xavier.
Now heading to Michigan, the 6-foot-6 guard will have three years of eligibility remaining after sitting out the 2016-17 season, per NCAA transfer rules.
A former four-star recruit, Matthews averaged 1.7 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.4 assists in 10.3 minutes per game at Kentucky. He was considered one of the Wildcats’ better defensive options on the wing, but attempted only 52 field goals in 370 minutes of play. He shot 44.2 percent from the field, while attempting only four 3-pointers.
Coming out of St. Rita High School in Chicago, Matthews was ranked as the No. 59 overall prospect in the class of 2015 in the 247 Sports Composite. He was rated the No. 16 shooting guard and No. 2 recruit in Illinois.
When announcing his transfer from Kentucky mid-May, Matthews said he was leaving to pursue other options.
“I gained great experience during my freshman year at Kentucky,” Matthews said a press release. “This was a difficult decision for me, but at the end of the day, I felt like it was in my best interest to explore other options.”
In the same release, Wildcats coach John Calipari said Matthews will end up as “a productive college player who has the ability to play at the next level.
“I know Charles’ best basketball is ahead of him, and while I’m saddened to see him go, I support his decision and will help in any way I can,” Calipari said.
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