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Michigan Basketball: How Charles Matthews can improve his draft stock

By Chris Peterson

SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 31: Moritz Wagner #13 and Charles Matthews #1 of the Michigan Wolverines react after a play in the first half against the Loyola Ramblers during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four Semifinal at the Alamodome on March 31, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 31: Moritz Wagner #13 and Charles Matthews #1 of the Michigan Wolverines react after a play in the first half against the Loyola Ramblers during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four Semifinal at the Alamodome on March 31, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /
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Charles Matthews decided to return to Michigan basketball. But it doesn’t mean his NBA dream is dead. Here is how he can improve his stock for 2019.

For quite some time on Wednesday, there was some real doubt about whether or not Charles Matthews would return to Michigan basketball next season or not.

Finally, just before the deadline, Matthews announced his choice and it was to be a Michigan basketball player for at least one more season. His foray into the NBA draft experience taught him he has some work to do. However, Matthews is in the perfect place to do it.

Who better to play for than John Beilein, who has taken so many raw prospects and guided them into NBA stardom. Matthews has a long way to go, but if he can develop certain elements of his game, who says he can’t be an early second or even a late first-round pick?

The one thing Matthews does have going for him is his athleticism. There is no question, in that regard, he belongs in the NBA. He is a very good perimeter and on-ball defender and he proved last season, he can get to the hoop and finish.

The biggest thing holding back Matthews from being picked much higher, in my opinion, is offense. Particularly his shooting. It simply has to improve. Matthews did shoot well overall from the field, finishing the season at 49 percent. However, his 3-point shooting percentage was only 31.8 and his free throw percentage was 55. Those numbers aren’t going to impress NBA teams, especially not for a wing player.

Matthews definitely needs to get better at the line, especially with how good he is at getting there. He attempted nearly four per game last season, this year, that number could easily between 5-6 with how much he should be touching the ball as the focal point for Michigan basketball.

In the tournament, his jump shot was better and that allowed him to average more than 16 a game during that stretch. But if he really wants to impress NBA scouts, he needs to improve his 3-point shot. If he could get that up into the high 30’s or even low 40’s, he would totally have the look of a three-and-def guy good enough to start at the next level. Or at least play a key role off the bench.

More teams are investing in the long ball. But NBA teams also want good defenders. Matthews has the potential to be all of those things in a wing, as long as he develops a perimeter game.

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And ultimately, who better to help him do that than John Beilein?

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