Walking double-double Jordan Mathews earns ACA Athlete of the Week

ALEXANDRIA, La. (KALB) - Head Coach Charles Smith’s star center has been raising eyebrows with his play.

Jordan Mathews is a walking double-double and in the first round of the playoffs, he finished with 25 points, 18 rebounds and two blocks. The sophomore phenom has all the trust from his teammates and coaching staff, and he said it feels great to have someone who believes in his talent.

“It means a lot because it shows that he has faith in me,” said Mathews. “It’s like he trusts me to go out there and win games.”

Mathews played both baseball and basketball but after seeing his family member hoop, that’s when he realized he wanted to follow in their footsteps.

“I was playing since I was young,” said Mathews. “I had two cousins that played for Peabody, and I remember watching them play.”

Not only his cousins but the upperclassmen wanted Jordan to have more of an edge on the court.

“They were stronger than me so I can get tougher,” said Mathews. “They were also quicker than me and more skilled, so I felt like I had to hit the gym harder to take my game to another level to be as good as them.”

What makes him play so dominant is his skillset and the mentality he plays the game with.

“When I get out there, I am thinking this could be my last game, so I have to give it everything I got,” said Mathews. “It’s the only way I know how to play.”

Coach Smith has coached a lot of talented kids at Peabody. He said Jordan’s growth in his sophomore season has been something that has impressed him.

“I had a lot of big men come through Peabody, but I think Jordan has progressed faster than any big man that we had,” said Coach Smith. “His skill level right now is better than any centers I have coached because he can handle a basketball. If you notice in some situations, we have special plays designed for him at the top of the key because he can handle the ball and go one on one and not many post guys can do that.”

The young Jordan Mathews’ skillset and dominance in the post is the reason why he won ACA Athlete of the Week.

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