Months before her fourteenth birthday, McKenzie Mathurin received her first college offer from the University of Oklahoma.
The first offer is the sweetest. Says Mathurin, “I’m grateful and appreciative. It means that I’m on the right track.”
This was the first time in nearly two decades that OU has made an offer to a player her age. Since receiving her first offer, she’s been forging an amazing path for her future.
Mathurin continues to rack up offers during her 8th-grade campaign. She’s received offers from the University of Arkansas, Arkansas State, and Tulsa University. In addition, the following schools have shown interest: Texas Tech, Stanford, and LSU.
With offers from D1 programs comes great pressure, especially when you haven’t suited up for a high school game yet.
“There’s a lot of pressure on me but it’s good pressure. It will help me grow as a player,” said Mathurin.
How does she stay humble in the midst of the hype? Her key to success is surrounding herself with good people and working hard.
Her work ethic is impressive. Shortly after receiving an offer from OU, she was in the gym working on her game.
Mathurin spends nearly 30 hours in the gym every week. She balances her time between school and AAU practice, speed and agility training, and individual shooting.
There’s no doubt that she has made her parents proud. Says her mom, Amber Mathurin, “It’s rewarding to see the tears, sweat, and pain all come together. She’s worthy of it.”
Many athletes want to be where she is, but few are willing to put in the work that it takes to be a great player.
Says Mathurin, “I just need to play my game and silence any outside voices. Just do me and outwork the competition every play.”