Garrett Tucker:
Future150 Southeast Analyst. Covering high school basketball across the Southeast.
Lafayette, CA (Future150) -- Good shooters are always necessary for successful teams, whether one is talking about high school, college, or even the NBA. Someone who has the ability to stretch the defense is extremely valuable.
But very rarely do you see a knock-down shooter with the stroke to go along with athleticism that Matt O'Reilly has put together at this early point in his high school career.
O'Reilly, a 6-foot-3 combo guard out of Lafayette, California, performed very will at the Super Soph camp in Atlanta a few weeks ago.
While he has separated himself as a pure shooter, the rising sophomore is hoping to improve on his other schools to make him an even bigger threat.
"I am really working on becoming a consistent ball-handler and passer," he began. "I want people to consider those skills equal to my shooting."
In the future, O'Reilly sees himself evolving to more of a point guard instead of a shooting guard. With that being said, he is focusing on one player to model his game after.
"I really strive to play like Steve Nash. The way he handles the ball and passes is impressive. I want to get like that."
As far as colleges go, the Oakland Soldiers product may be fairing better than Nash to this point. O'Reilly is already being chased by several high-major programs.
South Florida, Virginia, Arizona, California, Pacific, Stanford, Utah State, and Boise State have all expressed interest thus far, but no offers have been extended.
The shooter claims no favorites, but he does have a school that is showing him the most interest to this point.
"Right now, I would say Stanford is the most interested. They have sent me a lot of letters."
Coincidentally, the youngster is very high on the Cardinal.
"Stanford was always a dream for me. If I get hurt and things don't work out with basketball, I can always say I have a degree and education from a great school like Stanford."
O'Reilly has already visited Stanford and California, but he will make it back to Palo Alto very soon.
"I'm going to Stanford's elite camp next weekend, so hopefully the coaches see something they like."
Stanford looks to hold the upper-hand in O'Reilly's recruitment early, and his main factor is proximity to home, which will only help Johnny Dawkins' staff.
"I really want to stay close to my family. That is big for me."
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