University of Georgia Athletics
Coming Attraction: Yante Maten
December 04, 2015 | Men's Basketball
Yante Maten providing consistency and leadership for young team
By Sam Hendricks
Yante Maten's favorite color is red, today. He always switches his favorite color up because as he puts it, "I'm never consistent."
That isn't the case on the court this year though. As the Bulldogs come off their win against Oakland, Maten tied his career high with 21 points and recorded nine rebounds. So far this season, Maten has been the embodiment of consistency.
"I think Yante had a terrific offseason," said head coach Mark Fox. "He recognizes this year there are more minutes, there are more rebounds, there are more shots if he'll be more aggressive."
Last year, Maten only logged on average, 18 minutes a game, due largely in part to Marcus Thornton and Nemanja Djurisic playing most of the minutes in the frontcourt. Then seniors, Thornton and Djurisic moved on and are no longer on the court for the Bulldogs – it's Maten's frontcourt this year.
"I would definitely say I'm trying to get better, every player is. But I've been trying to prepare myself for the next step, keep on being consistent," Maten said.
Maten has been the epitome of consistent. He has been a handful for defenses, causing havoc in the paint and around the hoop. He exemplified that once more Tuesday night against Oakland.
"Mike (Edwards) and I were making a big presence down low, so they couldn't help off as much, and if they did, I have a good eye and a good knack for passing the ball out of the post," Maten said.
Maten has taken Edwards under his wing, and helped show him the ropes of college. The roommates are good friends, and Maten stated he takes his role as a leader on this team very seriously.
"I try to have a positive influence on a lot of the young freshmen," Maten said. "Because we've got so many, I stay right there with them. I'm just trying to give them tips and pointers a lot."
As he looks into the future, the singular part of his game he wants to improve upon is consistency. Maten says he is really getting into a rhythm with his hook and his midrange shots, as well as gaining more confidence at the foul line.
After Maten's consistent night against Oakland, Fox reflected on his big man's talent all over the floor, and just how far he has come since last season.
"I love him," Fox said. "I'm going to tell him he probably should have had 25 or 30 (points). You know, I think he's become a pretty consistent performer for us, and I don't think he played great. If you can get 21 and nine and not really play great, you have a bright future."
Maten will have another chance to continue that development and consistency this Friday when the Bulldogs host Kansas State at Stegeman Coliseum at 7 p.m.
Sam Hendricks is a junior from Johns Creek, Ga., who is double-majoring in public relations within UGA's Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communications and marketing within Georgia's Terry College of Business. He is in his first year as a student assistant with the UGA Sports Communications office after writing for The Red & Black in 2015.
"Coming Attractions" is a weekly feature published on georgiadogs.com spotlighting a UGA student-athlete who will be competing in a key home event during the upcoming weekend. Previous stories from this year include:
August 27 - Jasmine Eaton (volleyball in the Benson Hospitality Invitational)
September 3 - Sydney Shultis (soccer vs. Clemson)
September 10 - Liliana Rios (soccer vs. South Carolina)
September 17 - Isaiah McKenzie (football vs. South Carolina)
September 24 - Mariel Gutierrez (soccer vs. Arkansas & Texas A&M)
October 1 – John Atkins (football vs. Alabama)
October 8 – Matias Koski (swimming & diving vs. North Carolina)
October 15 - Megan Spencer (volleyball vs. Missouri)
October 22 – Caroline Brinson (women's tennis in ITA Regionals)
October 29 – Kendall Kazor (volleyball vs. Florida)
November 5 – Sterling Bailey (football vs. Kentucky)
November 12 – Marjorie Butler (women's basketball vs. Stetson)
November 19 – Meg O'Mara (equestrian vs. South Carolina)
