Jalen Brunson’s and Charles Matthews’ high school teams never faced each other. But the two Chicago-area players kept tabs on each other.
Brunson, the 2015 Mr. Basketball of Illinois, played at Stevenson. Matthews, the runner-up, played at St. Rita. They were two of the most elite, highly recruited players in the state when they were seniors.
“I know Jalen very well,” Matthews said. “My generation, we all know each other through social media and big camps.”
On Monday night, the two will play against each other at the Alamodome when Brunson’s top-seeded Villanova faces Matthews’ third-seeded Michigan for the college basketball national championship.
From Frank Kaminsky at Wisconsin to Anthony Davis at Kentucky, this is another season in which the final few days of the season feature standout players from the area who compete for programs outside of their home state.
“When you see people from your area do well, you’re excited for them as well,” Brunson said. “It shows you how tough the competition was back in Illinois. I’m very happy for him. You respect people you grew up around.”
Brunson’s path at Villanova has taken him to awards podiums to accept trophies as the Naismith Player of the Year and the Oscar Robertson Player of the Year. With 19.2 points and 4.7 assists per game, the stoic point guard has led Villanova to the title game.
He averaged 9.6 points as a freshman when the Wildcats won the championship two seasons ago.
Brunson’s success is of little surprise to Matthews, who is well aware of Brunson’s Class 4A state championship at Stevenson in 2015.
“Jalen dominated in high school,” Matthews said. “He was a terrific player, won a state title. He had a hell of a career in Illinois. I’m not surprised at the success he’s having at the collegiate level as well.”
Brunson isn’t surprised to see Matthews in the championship either. Matthews led St. Rita to three straight Catholic League South Division titles from 2013 to 2015.
Matthews, whose brother Dominique plays at Illinois-Chicago, transferred to Michigan from Kentucky. He sat out last season because of transfer rules and had some rocky moments this season but is thriving in the tournament.
He’s averaging 16.6 points per tournament game, including a 17-point performance on 7-of-12 shooting in a Final Four victory against Loyola.
“Buckets weren’t easy to come by,” he said of his play earlier in the season. “I was not playing selfish, but (I was) forcing a lot of stuff. I was trying to figure out how to stay aggressive but still play Michigan style of basketball.”
He said film study with Michigan coach John Beilein and a greater focus on his fundamentals has helped his adjustment.
Matthews said being a Chicago player has a special meaning. Something Brunson can understand.
“I guess Chicago breeds a sense of toughness,” Matthews said. “Guys go and fight to the end to be the last man standing.”
He smiled and added, “Hopefully I’m the last one standing.”
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