BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- The CSUB men's basketball team added an intriguing piece to its 2010–11 roster by signing CIF Southern Section Div. V co–Player of the Year Ivan Matip of Besant Hill School in Ojai, Calif.
Matip, a 6–3, 200 combo guard, chose CSUB after considering Big East member Rutgers, WAC powers Utah State and Nevada, and Ivy League members Cornell and Columbia.
He averaged 21.7 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game as a senior in 2010. He was named the County Player of the Year by the Ventura County Star while leading Besant Hill to the CIF SS Div. V championship.
Matip earned CIF SS Div. VI Player of the Year honors as a junior, when he also was named the Orange County Register Division VI Player of the Year.
“Ivan is another versatile guard with size and strength. He can produce points from behind the three–point line, midrange and in the paint,” says CSUB Head Coach Keith Brown. “Even more impressive is the total composite of Ivan's character, academic achievement, leadership, and commitment to the team and community.”
Matip scored in double figures in all 29 games last season. He scored 20 or more points 15 times, including six games of 30 or more and two of 40 or more. His career high of 41 points came at Price on Jan. 28, 2010.
He added 10 double–doubles as a senior, including 40 points and a career–high 16 rebounds in a 60–46 win over Bishop Diego on Dec. 4, 2009.
A native of Cameroon, Matip enrolled at Besant Hill as a sophomore. Though English is his second language, he has become an accomplished public speaker and an outstanding student who carries a 3.8 grade point average. His academic interests include public administration and political science.
“Head Coach Randy Bertin gives stirring portrayals of the effect Ivan has had on the students at Besant Hill and entire community. It is a very impactive testimonial,” adds Brown. “Ivan is a complete basketball player and an outstanding young man whom will assist in leading our team, campus, and community.”
Matip is the third player, all freshmen, to join the 'Runners for the 2010–11 season. Earlier this signing period, CSUB signed big man Kregg Jones from the Army–Navy Academy in San Diego and guard Cody Kale from Rocklin High School.
