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McKenzie Mathurin announces commitment to Michigan Wolverines

Talia-HS-white-300x300by:Talia Goodman08/07/24

TaliaGoodmanWBB

The Michigan women’s basketball squad landed a major commitment for the 2025 class – guard McKenzie Mathurin.

“I really wanted to just commit on the spot when I was there, but my parents kind of held me back for a little bit longer,” Mathurin told On3 from Overtime Select in Atlanta. “I just knew – especially when I was on campus, I just had that feeling. This is where I belong.”

At the beginning of July, Mathurin narrowed her list to 14 finalists: Baylor, Arizona, Michigan, Texas Tech, North Carolina, NC State, Kansas State, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Alabama, Florida, Florida State and Oregon

The 5-foot-10 guard out of Broken Arrow High School in Oklahoma was originally committed to Nebraska but reopened her recruitment a few months ago and has now committed to a different Big Ten program.

McKenzie Mathurin fell in love with Michigan

“A lot can change in a year,” McKenzie Mathurin told On3. “The thing that changed the most for me was perspective. When I committed, I was playing with Broken Arrow and my high school team, and I was the best player on the team. The only star and that’s what I was used to. But after playing with Team Trae Young and with these literal superstars as teammates, I kind of changed my perspective.”

Mathurin took three visits over June and July to Texas Tech, Alabama and Michigan. She also visited Kansas State during her initial recruitment before committing to Nebraska. 

“I think it was just the atmosphere,” Mathurin said of her visit to Michigan. “I was able to watch practices, so that was really good. And I was able to see the girls on the court and see where I would fit in, and then I got to talk to coaches face-to-face and get to know all of them. They really just checked all my boxes.”

Mathurin cancels other trips, NIL played factor

McKenzie Mathurin had three more visits set for this summer. She was set to visit UNC from July 24-26, Ole Miss from August 1-3, and Baylor sometime in August, but she canceled those visits in July after deciding Michigan was the best fit for her. 

“I definitely want to play fast,” Mathurin said. “That’s how my AAU team plays, and I feel like that’s where I fit best – in transition, being able to show my skill set and not be confined in a box.” 

Mathurin also noted that NIL played a role in her decision to commit to Michigan.

“It was definitely a respectable number,” Mathurin said. “I feel like I want to go there and be valued, and they’re definitely not wasting any money on me. ]I’m just excited to go and prove why I’ve earned what I’ve earned.”