Four Set to Join Tartans for 2017-18 Season
The Carnegie Mellon University men's basketball team will welcome four newcomers for the 2017-18 season. The Tartans return 11 players from a team that qualified for the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Championship and finished in the top half of the ultra-competitive University Athletic Association (UAA) Conference. The four newcomers hail from New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Matt Carson (6-4 Guard, Downingtown West High School, PA)
2016-17 Stats: 16 PPG, 7 RPG, 3 APG
Academic Achievements: Achieved High Honor Roll 2014-2017, along with being a member of the Spanish and Engineering Clubs. Matt was a member of the National Honor Society and graduated Magma Cum Laude with a 4.34 GPA.
Athletic Achievements: Matt was a part of the most accomplished graduating class in Downingtown West history. During his three years of playing varsity basketball, Downingtown West won 75 games, qualified for District 1 playoffs all three years, qualified for the PIAA State Tournament two times, and qualified for Ches-mont Final Four twice and won it in 2015. Matt finished his senior season as captain while being named 2nd team All-Ches-Mont, All-Area Honorable Mention for Chester County DLN, MVP of Octorara Basketball Tournament and named to the Valor Bowl Sr All-Star Game.
Why Carnegie Mellon? "I chose CMU because they are one of the top universities in the world and the type of environment that would challenge me academically. When I first visited CMU, the entire campus was welcoming and I felt at home. I instantly bonded with the team and I knew this was the place I was meant to be for the next four years!"
Ethan Miller (6-6 Forward, Upper Merion High School, PA)
2016-17 Stats: 15 PPG, 10 RPG, 2 BPG
Academic Achievements: Member of National Honor Society, along with being a Top Scholar and achieving the High Honor Roll from 2014-17. Ethan was named to the All-Conference Academic 1st Team and was also an Eagle Scout.
Athletic Achievements: Ethan was a member of one of the best teams ever his senior year at Upper Merion where they finished District Runner-Up and made a deep run into the State Playoffs. Ethan was captain his senior year where he was 1st team All-PAC. He capped off a great high school career by being one of only seven players in Upper Merion Basketball history to score more than 1,000 points.
Why Carnegie Mellon? "Carnegie Mellon has always been my top choice and I am so excited to be attending this fall. It has great academics, athletics, and Pittsburgh is awesome. Overall, I think Carnegie Mellon is the perfect fit for me and I'm ready to do great things there!"
Zach Watson (6-1 Guard, Dublin Jerome High School, OH)
2016-17 Stats: 18 PPG, 4 APG, 3 RPG
Academic Achievements: Member of National Honor Society for two years. Zach received Presidents Education Award while graduating Magna Cum Laude with Honors.
Athletic Achievements: Zach was a part of the winningest season in Dublin Jerome history during his junior season with a record of 24-3 and a district championship. During his four years of playing varsity basketball, Dublin Jerome was 73-15. Zach was a two-time team captain and achieved numerous honors this past year. During his senior year he was named All-Ohio Capital Conference - Cardinal Division First Team, All-Central District Division 1 Honorable Mention, AP All-Central District All Star, and was named to This Week's News Super 12 Boys Basketball Team.
Why Carnegie Mellon? "I chose to attend Carnegie Mellon because it is one of the most prestigious universities in the world. Alongside its academic reputation, I will get to play the game I love. I knew this was the place for me after I had formed such good relationships with the coaching staff and players. Lastly, nothing beats the city of Pittsburgh!"
Dan Weiss (6-6 Forward, Marlboro High School, NJ)
2016-17 Stats: 11 PPG, 7 RPG, 4 APG
Academic Achievements: Achieved the Principal Honor Roll and finished top 10% in graduating class. Dan was a state finalist for The Future Business Leaders of America in the Accounting I competition.
Athletic Achievements: Junior year Dan was 2nd team all-league and 2nd team all-district. Dan was named captain during his senior season and was named 1st team all-league, 1st team all-district. He was also placed on the 1st team All-Shore Conference tournament team for his play in the post season.
Why Carnegie Mellon? "I chose Carnegie Mellon because I would have the opportunity to play in a competitive basketball conference with teammates who have goals similar to mine and are a great group of people outside the court. I also chose Carnegie Mellon for its great academics; especially pertaining to the major I intend to pursue (mathematics). I loved the city of Pittsburgh when I visited the school."