Mateen Rafiq to the Ivy League

"For me to be able to play at the D1 level was my dream and goal," said Mateen Rafiq, "and now also enrolling into the world's best education is unbelievable. I couldn't get a better education for my career." The 6-foot point formerly of El Camino High and now Weston Ranch High recently committed to Cornell University, located in Ithaca, New York and one of the eight members of the academically vaunted Ivy League.

Wishing to pursue a legal career, Rafiq has already been accepted into Cornell's Pre Law ILR School. "I want to work in the legal field with athletes. I have a close family friend who does that."

Still, it was a tough decision. "My family could come and see me play if I had chosen one of the California schools recruiting me."

Rafiq and both his parents went on an official visit to Cornell on October 20-21. Head Coach Brian Earl extended an offer while the family was in his office on Saturday, the 21st.  Mateen responded affirmatively -- "I told him I was ready to accept it." A celebration ensued but one caveat, as requested by Rafiq, needed completion before any announcement could be made. That being his notification of the other college coaches pursuing him that he had chosen Cornell as his college of choice. He completed that task, thereby joining the Big Red program. "Those were some tough conversations," Rafiq recalled.

Besides the academics, what also sold Rafiq on Cornell was the camaraderie he witnessed between the players themselves as well as the closeness between the players and coaches, plus his enjoyment while hanging out with the players off the court. Add in his connection with Coach Earl's offensive style. "I saw them play and practice and the fit couldn't be better. They shot a lot of threes and used a bunch of pick-and-rolls."

Rafiq's game is built around a quick release and accurate outside shot plus his ability to penetrate. As posted in an earlier feature: "In a total of 12 games at a July national tournament in Atlanta and another in Las Vegas, Rafiq averaged 21.9 points per contest, 6.6 assists and 4.3 rebounds. He enjoyed a high game of 41 points." Plus, "In his last go-around at El Camino High (as a junior), he averaged 26.9 points per game, 7.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists, earning a Second Team All State selection by CalHiSports, while finishing with 271 made threes.

Rafiq issued thanks "ultimately to God as I prayed a lot about my decision, to my parents and my family for their guidance and the coaches and players at Weston Ranch High, El Camino High and the Rose City basketball program for allowing me to be successful as a person and a player and for providing a platform for me to excel." Plus, "Weston Ranch High Head Coach Nic Podesta and Assistant Coach Eddie Menzel for holding us accountable on the court and in the classroom." Finally, "I I want to thank all the coaches who recruited me."

Participating in March Madness is Rafiq's next goal. Only the foolish would count him out.

Here is our July 21 feature on Rafiq.

Mateen Rafiq Rising Quickly

5-foot-11 Mateen Rafiq is carrying on a family tradition of successful basketball while simultaneously changing positions from shooting guard to the point but neither responsibility is restricting him from continued accomplishments.

The family's hoops lineage begins with Mateen's father, Mamo, who played two years at Idaho State before transferring to UC Davis in order to be closer to home. But a car accident, followed by a pair of hip surgeries, concluded his playing days. In 2007, he became the head coach of the Afghanistan National Basketball Team and a short three years later, Afghanistan won the 2010 11th Annual South Asian Games, the Gold Medal being the first ever for Afghanistan Team Sports. "I got to see the awarding of the gold medal," Mateen recalled. He also has a 6-foot cousin Illyaas Rafiq who played at Yuba College and will be playing at Cal Maritime.

Production of Late

In a total of 12 games at a July national tournament in Atlanta and another in Las Vegas, Rafiq averaged 21.9 points per contest, 6.6 assists and 4.3 rebounds. He enjoyed a high game of 41 points.

Brandon White, co-founder of the Rose City Ballers (Rafiq's travel team), offered, "Mateen’s consistently played well all spring/summer and has generated a lot of attention from college coaches. It will be interesting to see where he lands. He is a high character individual and we absolutely love having him and his family in our program. His best basketball is in front of him."

After three years at El Camino High in Sacramento, Rafiq will be attending Weston Ranch High in Stockton as a senior. Also a valued member of the Rose City Ballers travel team, he continues his transition from primarily a shooter to a facilitator and scorer. "For the longest time, I was known as a shooter and a catch-and-shoot guy." In his last go-around at El Camino, he averaged 26.9 points per game, 7.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists, earning a Second Team All State selection by CalHiSports, while finishing with 271 made threes.

"I talked to Dad and we decided my role needed to change because there are a lot of 6-foot guards out there. I'm learning to be a true point guard, with the  ball in my hands. I take this as a challenge to communicate and lead the team, while separating myself from other guys my size."

"My Dad has done a lot of training and (area high school) coaching and been a big help to me with his knowledge of the game. Nobody can push me like he does. His critiquing never stops, happening in the car after games and continuing when we get home."

Rafiq is not a big NBA viewer -- "I don't like to watch NBA games"—preferring to focus on well known college coaches such as Rick Pitino, John Calipari and Coach K and how they employ their talent. He also likes "the comaradarie involved with college ball and how collegians play more as a team."

Praise for His Mother

His mother is also a critical cog in his development. "My Mom is the biggest piece of all this, with all the sacrifices that are necessary and putting my needs before hers."

Rafiq also excels in the classroom with a 3.9 grade point average or above. "It really helps in case I want to go to a high academic college and in getting a job later."

He offered his best basketball moment as "my junior year at El Camino. There was a lot of doubt about us because we lost a couple of transfers but we still made the playoffs. Me and a teammate, Ivan Soto (now at American River College), both finished with over 1,000 career points. We've been best friends since we were little so it was a lot of fun."

Regarding recruiting, Rafiq offered "I'm wide open. I will be thankful wherever I end up whether it be D1, D2, D3, NAIA or junior college." Whatever his new destination, he'll continue to carry the family hoops banner while providing winning point guard and scoring talents.