Suffolk's Matt Pepdjonovic Featured in Boston Globe
BOSTON, MA- Matt Pepdjonovic is known as “Pep’’ to his teammates and coaches on the men’s basketball team at Suffolk University. That’s fitting, because that is what the Boston College High grad brings to the court every day.
Putting up some numbers at Suffolk Matt Pepdjonovic is known as “Pep’’ to his teammates and coaches on the men’s basketball team at Suffolk University. That’s fitting, because that is what the Boston College High grad brings to the court every day.
The 6-foot-6 sophomore center from Quincy has had an “amazing’’ career at Suffolk, according to head coach Adam Nelson, starting with his selection as the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Rookie of the year last season and continuing this season as the team’s leading scorer and rebounder with 14 double-doubles in 22 games.
“Pep played on a great BC High team, but wasn’t highly recruited,’’ said Nelson. “He has worked hard to make himself one of the best post players in New England.’’
Cut from the freshman team at BC High, Pepdjonovic did not make the varsity until his senior year, when he was a top reserve off the bench.
“I never would have thought I’d be a starting center on a college team three years ago, but I worked very hard last year and over the offseason and I think I’ve improved my post moves,’’ he said. “Being named Rookie of the Year for our conference also made me more confident and made me work harder to live up to the honor. Deep inside, I had the feeling I had it in me to reach this level because of my athleticism and a knack for being around the ball.’’
His 12.7 rebounds per game rank Pepdjonovic fourth nationally in Division 3. With three games left in the regular season, he has 696 career points and 570 rebounds.
“Numbers aside, he is definitely our hardest worker,’’ added the coach. “He is the first one in the gym every day to get shots, and works just as hard in the weight room. He gets better and better every day in practice.’’
With Pepdjonovic, who was averaging 16.8 points per game going into last Tuesday’s contest against Emerson, on board for two more seasons, Nelson has the building block to improve on this season’s 6-16 record, (including 4-11 in the GNAC).
Going into this week’s schedule Pepdjonovic was leading the GNAC in rebounding and was in the top ten in scoring, field-goal percentage, and blocks. His previous two games were two of his best of the season: 27 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists against Johnson and Wales, and 24 points and 15 rebounds vs. Mount Ida.
“He really is a special player at this level,’’ added Nelson. “It’s scary to think how good he’s going to be. I have never seen anyone rebound the ball like he does and he’s playing with more and more confidence. Last year, he had only one dunk; this year, he’s had 24 and some were highlights. Players like him do not come around too often. He will leave Suffolk as one of our all-time leading scorers and rebounders.’’
A third-team all-conference pick last season, when he averaged 13 points and 11.6 rebounds per game and had 12 double-doubles, Pepdjonovic played basketball, volleyball, and football at BC High.