Rookie Watch: Matt Cerruti of the Wichita Skykings
The University at Albany grad can knock it down from outside but the stroke certainly doesn’t define him. It’s just another tool in his bag heading into TBL.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — The scouting report on Matt Cerruti is about to rapidly change before our eyes.
So is life for the kid out of Pennsylvania who will make his professional basketball debut this spring in The Basketball League with the Wichita Skykings. That’s where the 6’4 guard from Huntingdon Valley steps on the court on Friday, March 17 at Charles Koch Arena to officially start his career by opening the 2023 TBL season against defending champs Shreveport Mavericks. Known as a knockdown shooter since his high school days at Archbishop Wood, Matt led his team to a 27-3 record and captured both a State Championship Title and a PCL Championship Title as a Senior. He followed up those unforgettable experiences by attending Division II Lock Haven University and earning two postseason honors by being named 2018 First Team All-PSAC and 2019 First Team All-PSAC.
Next stop: the University at Albany as a graduate student and a chance to make an impact on the court for the Great Danes (averaged 11.3 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 46% FG, 45% 3-point in 32.5 minutes per game in 2021-22). Consider it mission accomplished for the MAAC’s Third Team All-Conference selection. It was the perfect primer for making the jump from college to south central Kansas with the expansion Skykings. Matt Cerruti can still hit from outside but the stroke certainly doesn’t define him. It’s just another tool in his bag.
A word of advice for TBL coaches and teams. Keep your head on a swivel and watch out for the rookie.
On Turning Professional In The TBL With The Wichita Skykings
“I’m excited to get to work and show people how I have developed my game since college at Lock Haven University and the University at Albany has ended. The opportunity to sign in the TBL with the Wichita Skykings kind of just came about through Coach Sean Flynn reaching out and it kind of just took off from there.”
On Trusting The Process Thanks To Support He’s Received Along The Way
“It’s been a fun experience. Everybody’s path is different and I have always reminded myself of that. I believed I’d end up where I’m supposed to be. My Mom (Colleen Cerruti) has been the constant in my life. She has helped me through this process. Coach Dwayne Killings, Coach Matt Griffin and the rest of the UAlbany staff from when I was there were huge in my development and confidence. Also, all of the people I have trained with and that have coached me over the years have been huge in my process of becoming a pro.”
On His Current Training Routine Heading Into The ‘23 Season
“I am in Philadelphia right now in the gym training 6 to 7 days of the week and with Excel Basketball, while mixing in lifting and doing cardio 4 days a week. I am excited to prove to people I am more than just a shooter that I can handle the ball and make reads out of the pick and roll.”
On Living Out His Childhood Dream On The Basketball Court
“I always believed myself to be a D1 player and ultimately I thought I had the work ethic to become a professional player. That was my only plan, I put my head down and worked. I am grateful to be in the position I am in now, but I’m never satisfied. It is just the beginning.”
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*photo credit to matt cerruti
Wendell Maxey is the author of Around The Basketball League and has written about professional basketball and sports for 19 years. He’s been featured on NBA.com, ESPN.com, USA Today, FOX Sports, and SLAM Magazine among other publications and media outlets. You can connect with him on Twitter and LinkedIn or read through his archive on Linktree.