Exclusive CF Discussion: With Matt Abdelmassih

[mksmith2]

This interview has gotten me so pumped for next year

Somebody find me a basketball!!

The only thing holding me over is that football season is coming up...
and until those video board renderings were put up there was nothing to hold me till football season.

Chris - That was awesome, I agree with those that have said it's their favorite piece on CF. Hopefully you can get more interviews with him in the future (or other coaches)

 

[helechopper]

Now THIS is why I read Cyclone Fanatic. Great article. One of the best published on this site.

 

[mustangcy]

Don't mean to pile on here...but that was a fantastic interview! I'm dying to know the first kid Matt signs as an official member of the staff.

 

[cy4prez7]

I really like the part about Royce! I've chatted with Royce very quickly a couple times and he is just genuinely nice! Good Kid!

And yes, that was a wonderful interview!!

 

[Clone5]

MA just put on a clinic on how to answer interview questions. There is no doubt our recruiting will be top notch.

 

[tyler24]

CW this article is wayyy better than anything I have read on or seen on cyclones.com...Thanks I dont know how you managed to do it, but with a 26 year assistant coming in I am even more excited about this upcoming season. This guy already gives me the feel of a Burnham type of coach. He is a no BS coach with what seems to be a great future ahead of him. Also I personally love these types of coaches that come in with no experience playing the game, they always seem to have a chip on their shoulder to show they are where they are for a reason.

 

[Trainer]

I especially liked getting the insight on Royce. It sounds like the team is very much a family atmosphere. While kids will mess up it seems like Fred is trying to help these guys mature along with getting them to the NBA.

Oh and an amazing article. Very good work.

 

[Goldfinger]

CW, having MA on the radio would be a good time to get more answers:

1. How does he and the rest of the staff use technology in recruiting and what is allowed by the NCAA? Twitter, facebook, recruiting services, etc.
2. How does he overcome the stereotypes that New York and New England kids may have towards coming to Iowa State, i.e. cornfields, smaller towns, etc.
3. Ask him about the new hire Micah Byars being named to Director of Player Development. That is a new title or new role not previously designated at Iowa State before.

 

[Cyhart]

Good stuff!
I'm as excited about the future of Cyclone hoops as Ive been in a very long time.

 

[drose1]

Best line of the whole write up:

"He has told me on a few occasions that we saved his life."

 

[Yes13]

We probably have the most likeable staff in the country.

 

[CynadoAlley]

Great read CW! and matt really makes me excited to see tavon play. I haven't even seen him play a minute and im just as excited to see him play as anyone else.

 

[yCy]

What a great interview. That is one of the best articles I've read on CF. Thank you, Chris.

 

[MNclone]

Great read!

If Royce White goes on to have a successful carreer at ISU and perhaps the NBA, he could become an incredibly powerful recruiting tool.

 

[Oldgoat]

I was already pumped about the upcoming basketball season, but now even more so. MA's comment that Tavon plays with a "chip on his shoulder" is exactly the attitude we need--especially from a guard/floor leader.