Catching up with: Matt Jameson

Barry Faulkner

Four sterling varsity seasons, individual and team accolades and a

basketball scholarship to the University of Miami didn’t eliminate some

nagging questions that followed Matt Jameson from Newport Harbor High to

Oxford, Ohio.

More solid than spectacular as as Sailor, some doubted whether this

blue-collar guard could distinguish himself among Redhawks.

Jameson, preparing for his junior season with the perennial

Mid-American Conference contender, regularly fielded those questions

during a freshman campaign spent largely on the bench.

“I got a lot of ‘You play basketball? ... For Miami? ... For the

varsity?’ ” Jameson said. “After a while, I’d just say ‘No, I’m the ball

boy.’ ”

After playing 32 minutes, spread over 30 games, scoring four points

and gaining a new measure of respect for what it takes to be a Division I

college player, Jameson headed home to Newport Beach humbled and hungry.

“I thought I had a lot to prove to myself,” Jameson recalled. “I knew

I could play with those guys, but I had to do it. I was definitely on the

lower part of the totem pole. It was pretty much my motivation for waking

up every day, going to play, workout and trying to improve.

On the advice of a trusted mentor, Jameson began working out with

fitness guru Marv Marinovich. Jameson packed on 20 pounds of muscle and

added the specific muscle explosiveness that helped enhance athleticism.

Bolstered by his rigorous offseason, which also included hours on the

court, both in team and individual situations, Jameson quickly impressed

Miami Coach Charlie Coles before his second collegiate season.

“Once I got back to Ohio, I really noticed the difference,” the former

Newport-Mesa District Player of the Year and All-CIF performer said. “I

got a lot of good feedback from the coaches and other players about my

improvement. They noticed it right away.”

The changes in his body also benefited Jameson’s mental approach and

confidence.

“There were times my freshman year when I wondered what I was doing

out there, because all those guys were so much better than me,” he said.

“But after working with Marv, I was as strong and athletic as the next

guy. Then, instead of being in a whole different world, it just came down

to basketball skills.”

Aided by an injury to fellow point guard Doug Davis, Jameson got his

opportunity and he seized it with passion.

He started 15 games, played nearly 600 minutes over 29 appearances,

scored 77 points (2.7 per game) and went the distance at Notre Dame, when

Miami upset the ninth-ranked Irish in a game televised nationally on

ESPN. He had seven points, six rebounds, one steal and just two turnovers

at South Bend and said the ear-to-ear grin he brought back to campus

lasted a few days.

In addition to his offense, Jameson’s defense prowess fit in nicely

with Coles’ system of smothering pressure. Though he wasn’t scoring much,

Jameson pleased his coaches by playing rugged defense and taking care of

the ball. His assist to turnover ration (1.68 to 1 in conference play)

led the team.

“I thought I became a significant member of the team, who could

consistently provide a spark,” the 6-foot-1, 194-pounder said.

“I know I’m never going to be the go-to guy. But I believe I can guard

the other team’s best guard and, any time I’m in the game, help our team,

whether it’s a 10-minute stretch or for a whole half.”

Jameson’s turnaround was confirmed when he was named the team’s most

improved player. The Redhawks advanced to the MAC tournament title game

for the fifth straight season, but were defeated by Kent State to end

their season.

Jameson credits Marinovich’s unique program, which includes a

nutritional plan, for helping him earn more and more recognition in the

small college town of Oxford.

“Marv is the biggest reason for my improvement. He helped my

quickness, my explosion and even talked to me about playing more

aggressively. I wasn’t born with super ability, but he taught me how to

be an athlete.”

Jameson repeated his summer regimen this year, spending three hours in

Marinovich’s gym about three or four days a week. An English major who

made the dean’s list last year, Jameson returns to Ohio Saturday to begin

preparing for his junior year.

“We lost three seniors starters from last year’s team, so we’ll be

young and athletic,” said Jameson, who expects to show leadership by

example. “Depending on how mature some of the younger guys are, we could

either have one of the better teams the school has had in a couple years,

or we could struggle to put it all together.”