Men's Basketball | April 21, 2016

SEASIDE, Calif. — After getting prized big man Anthony Booker (Weston Ranch HS) in the early signing period, Cal State Monterey Bay men's basketball Head Coach Rob Bishop strengthened the Otter backcourt by inking Jahvon Johnson (Clovis North HS) and Stephen Matthews (Sacramento HS) to National Letters of Intent to open the spring signing season.

Johnson is coming to CSUMB to major in psychology. Matthews will major in math/engineering.

"This spring class is shaping up to be a good one with the additions of Jahvon Johnson and Stevie Mathews," says Bishop. "Jahvon comes to us after having a very successful High school career at Clovis north where he did everything possible on the court to help his teams success. Stevie will be called upon to hit the ground running at the point guard position this year, filling in for the loss of Alex Fertig and Patrick Lefiti."

Johnson played three seasons of varsity ball at Clovis North after being named MVP of the Bronco freshman team in 2013. He was the only frosh/soph player to earn All–Tri-Rivers Athletic Conference honors as a sophomore in 2014. He went on to become a 3–time All–TRAC selection and a 2–time all–area pick by The Fresno Bee.

He averaged 16.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game as a senior. He averaged 17.4 ppg in a team MVP worthy junior campaign in which he scored a team best 19.0 ppg in league play.

"Jahvon was their leading scorer, leading assist man and one of their top rebounders," says Bishop. "We are anticipating that Jahvon will pick up some of the scoring slack with the departure of Ryan Nitz. He has the ability to create his own shot when the offense breaks down and he does not shy away from the moment."

Matthews originally signed at Fresno City College as a freshman last season, though he did not play for the Rams. He was an All–Metro League pick as a senior as well as a Sacramento Bee All–Area honorable mention selection.

Matthews played four seasons of varsity ball for SHS and was one of the Dragons top all–around players, finishing among the team's top three in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals over his final two seasons. He averaged 9.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.4 steals per games as a senior.

As a junior, those numbers were a similar 11.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.8 apg and 1.3 spg.

"Stevie is a very quick, pass–first point who can also really shoot the ball," Says Bishop. "Stevie's understanding of how to play the point guard position and his ability to make shots will help keep our offense scoring a lot of points like Otter fans have become accustomed to."