Matthew Statile is an extraordinary young man who is deeply dedicated to his sport and teammates. He is the kind of athlete every coach wants on his team. He is a talented player who is unselfish and will sacrifice his body for the team. He can hit the three point shot when called upon and drive hard to the basket for a layup. He will also dive for a loose ball and will mix it up when necessary under the boards. At 6’-3” he is not the biggest player on the court; however, he may have the biggest heart. He is a blue collar player, a hard worker, a student of the game who will eventually out hustle and wear down his opponent.

When it comes to managing his academic studies and being an athlete, it comes down to setting my priorities, said Matt. Balancing school and basketball can be very challenging during the season because of late practices and games. So he will focus on academics prior to practice or games, which requires being organized and planning accordingly.

Matt played AAU with the PSB Select Basketball team, which helped develop his skills. He runs often to stay in condition, performs basic drills of ball handling, passing, shooting, positioning, and developing the fundamentals of the game.

What motivates Matt individually is his family and especially his sister “Emily”, who is a little person. Matt thinks the world of his sister and works as hard as he can by dedicating his game to her. What motivates him as an athlete is to get to the next level and having the opportunity to play collegiate basketball. He is seeking a Division II or III program where it’s a good fit for his style of play with a solid reputable program to further develop his skills and ability. The colleges who have shown interest in Matt are Pfeiffer University, Guilford College, Randolph College and William Peace University.

He is also motivated by his teammates and coaches at Independence. We are a family; we have all made a commitment to make a strong run at achieving a state championship this season, said Matthew.
After graduation academically he wants to major in psychology and business with a potential career in human resources. He expects to continue his education for a Master’s degree when his playing days are over.

Up Close and Personal with Matt:
• Most influential people in his life are his sister “Emily” and his parents. “My parents have always been very supportive and have sacrificed time and energy on me.”
• Favorite college basketball team are the Seton Hall Pirates.
• Favorite professional team is the Charlotte Hornets.
• He is a basketball junkie and really is not into other sports in the same way.
• His favorite movie is Purge.
• Most enjoyable music is Body and Soul.
• Best academic subjects are history and science.
• Advice for underclassmen is to work as hard as you can, be dedicated, and make a commitment to your athletic endeavor. Sacrifice your time and energy into the game and don’t forget the importance of academics.

Overall, Matt mentioned he has been blessed with a great family, teammates, and coaches who really all care about each other. “Combined, they have made me into the person I have become. I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to be part of this team and community.”