Today was a great day, as I had the opportunity to sit down and talk some hoops with a good friend of mine, Matt Halvorsen. I have been wanting to talk to Matt for some time about his journey from a local Kingsport, Tn teenager, to a high school career at Christ School (Asheville, NC), to a hugely successful 4 year D1 collegiate career at Western Carolina and then have his career ending with a 5th year of eligibility at Florida Gulf Coast. While at Christ School in Asheville, NC, Matt ended his career in 4th position in total points scored and then was able to build on that success at Western Carolina University, in which Matt set a new career record for 3 pointers made with 297 (this was also the 9th most in Southern Conference history). Matt gives some valuable advice to the next group of hoopers that are trying to make their dreams come true and play at the collegiate level. Listening to Matt talk about his basketball career and journey, I could see the fire and excitement in his eyes and hear it in his voice! This is proof to anyone that all the sacrifices that Matt made were worth it to him! When Matt mentions the 2-3 hours a day/5-6 days a week of grinding to improve his game, doing homework, getting treatment, and then going to get shots up on his own….I caught myself thinking….”thats a lot of work, but it’s what the dream demands of you”, but when I ask Matt, what would you change about your journey, his answer to me said it all….I WOULDN’T CHANGE A THING!!! Matt’s closing remark to me was this…. “Tell any young player, that if they have any questions about their journey, what it takes to achieve it, or simply wants to work out…Don’t hesitate to ask or let me know!” That should reveal to anyone about the fine young man Matt is! Basketball was good to him, but Matt Halvorsen was also very good for the game!
