Prep Blog: Matt Donlan of Capital Christian signs with South Dakota State, which played in NCAA Tournament

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May 6, 2012

Matt Donlan of Capital Christian signs with South Dakota State, which played in NCAA Tournament

Matt Donlan is headed to the cold country where he expects to impact the South Dakota State men's basketball team with the sort of hot shooting that made him such an effective champion this past season.

The 6-foot-6 wing from Capital Christian High School has signed a letter of intent to play for the Jackrabbits, who competed in their first NCAA Tournament this past season in winning a school-record 27 games. South Dakota State moved up to Division I play in 2004 after years of success in Division II.

Donlan powered small-school Capital Christian to the program's first Sac-Joaquin Section Division V championship. Blessed with a 35-inch vertical leap, an outside game, post moves, the ability to handle the ball and run the floor, Donlan averaged 17.5 points and 5.3 rebounds in earning Golden Empire League MVP honors and Bee All-Metro accolades.

Donlan went from sleeper prospect to college talent in a matter of months. This is what his since-retired Capital coach Terry Battenberg said of him earlier in the season, "He's 6-6 and can shoot the lights out. He's got a lot of upside to him. As he fills out and keeps working on his game, he's going to be a superb college player."

Donlan also has some personality to his game.

Asked about his mad hops, he cracked earlier, "It must be the kangaroo in me. I was born in Melbourne, Australia."

- By Joe Davidson
jdavidson@sacbee.com
Follow on Twitter: @sb_joedavidson

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