Photo by: Pictopia

Growing up in Japan, Matsui was more used to “slurping” his noodles. He says he really enjoys the sound. But he says that in America, he tries to get rid of the slurping. Other than this slurping problem, Matsui’s stay in America according to Matsui, causes him to change a lot of his old habits related and unrelated to basketball.

Matsui first came to America to attend Montrose Christian high school in Maryland to play basketball for the famous coach Stu Vetter. “When I was in 8th grade, my coach came to Japan for the Nike All Asia Camp and there I asked him if I could play on his team”. “The coach said yes after I proved that I can play at his level”.

With his blunt courage, Matsui suceeded in bringing his game to another level. In America, Matsui started dominating both in the classroom and on the basketball court. By his sophmore year at Montrose, schools came running to recruit Matsui who had a 4.0 GPA and a hot hand from the trey. “University of Richmond, Princeton, Cornell, University of Portland, and Davidson all started recruiting me since my sophmore year”.
“I had a big time offer from University of North Carolina to play one year walk on and then next scholarship. But the education and the location of the Columbia University was what made me commit to Columbia”.
Matsui says that he did not want to risk going to UNC where he was not guaranteed playing time. “They said I might play if I try hard, but I didn’t want to risk it”. “Also, coach Jones (Current coach) recruited me really hard”.

Now, Matsui has turned into a combination of Reggie Miller and Michael Jordan. A prolific shooter and a strong leader of his team.

Perhaps, soon, I will have my first NBA player friend.