Spotlight Interview: Matteo Zagar

The Western University Mustangs, Matteo Zagar, has been one of the best forwards in the conference this season. He is an elite rebounder, and does all the little things, that every winning team needs. As good as a basketball player Matteo is, he is an even better person, who is a true competitor at heart. We look forward to him finishing the season on a high note

Early Life

1. What got you into playing basketball and when did you know that you wanted to play at the collegiate level?

I grew up playing soccer and baseball for most of my life, but I started playing basketball in Grade 8. At first, I wasn’t very good and had no clue what I was doing, but I loved it. My mom actually played basketball at SFU, and she’d always give me tips and motivate me to play hard. I think that was a big part of why I fell in love with the game.

As for playing college ball, it was always kind of in the back of my mind from the time I first started playing in high school. That was also when I started taking school and sports more seriously. My coaches and parents kept telling me that if I could balance both sports and academics, it would open up a lot of opportunities for me. I knew if I could play the sport I love, it would make everything else—like schoolwork—easier. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve started thinking about what comes after college. Now I’m aiming to play professionally once my time at Western is done, and we’ll see where that takes me

2. Did you play AAU basketball, or did you play mostly school basketball? If so, what was your experience getting to play top players across the country?

I played AAU ball with Nike Bounce U16, which was an eye-opening experience for me. It gave me exposure to some of the top players across the country, especially in the EYBL circuit. I was the only guy who tried out and made the team—the rest were all handpicked. It was a big jump for me, but it pushed me to improve quickly. I didn’t necessarily click with everyone on the team, but it definitely toughened me up. I got to compete against some of the best, which was huge for my growth as a player.

3. What did your recruitment look like coming out of high school? Were you very highly recruited?

The recruitment process for me was a bit of a rollercoaster. After three years of high school, I won MVP at the NPH Showcase, and that really helped get my name out there. I got a lot of interest from Division 1 schools like Butler and Santa Clara, which was amazing. I was also interested in playing at an Ivy League school or something similar. I came really close to committing to Colgate University, but in the end, it didn’t feel like the right fit for me.

So, I was hoping that my Grade 12 year would help generate more offers. Being in New Brunswick at the time made it harder to get exposure, since nobody could leave the province. . Initially, Canadian schools were kind of a backup plan for me. My ultimate goal was to go D1, so I even took the SATs and everything. With the COVID-19 pandemic, everything slowed down, making it even harder for me to get exposure to coaches.

Past Seasons

4. . From your first year in 2021 till now, do you think the level of competition in the OUA has risen since then?

Before coming to Western, I had never really seen OUA basketball up close. So, when I first got here, I was pretty surprised at how tactical and high-level the game was. It was a huge eye-opener. The systems are complex, and the speed of the game is much faster than what I was used to. At first, it was tough to catch up, especially with Coach Campbell’s sets and how detailed everything was.

But looking at the competition now, I definitely think the level has risen. The OUA has more talent than when I first came in. I think guys are getting better and getting noticed more—some are even making waves down south. It’s exciting to see that level of talent and growth. There’s a lot of potential in the OUA, and I think it’s only going to keep improving.

5. What have you been able to learn from your past three seasons playing at Western that have helped you develop into the player you are now?

In terms of my skills, I’d say my game hasn’t changed too much. I’ve still got the same skill set, but where I’ve really grown is in my basketball IQ. I’ve learned to think about the game in a more strategic way. Coach Campbell trusts me more now, which comes from me understanding the system and the sets that we run. I think the biggest development for me has been learning what the coach wants and how to execute on the court. That experience of playing in a high-level program has really helped me grow as a player.

Current Season

6. With losing key players like Tyson Dunn (6’3 guard, went D1 to Buffalo) and Aryan Sharma (5th year guard), how have you been able to help fill their shoes and where did you focus most of your offseason on improving this past summer?

Losing guys like Tyson and Aryan has been tough, but it’s also been an opportunity for the team to step up; I look at it as ‘addition by subtraction. The identity of our team is really about playing as a unit—1 through 5. In the offseason, I took a bit of a break from basketball to focus on school, but I stayed in shape by doing cardio. I also put on about 10 pounds of muscle, which has definitely helped me physically.

For the last few months of the offseason, I focused on shooting—just putting up shots every day. My game has never been about being the most skilled or flashy player on the court; it’s been about outworking my opponents. I’ve looked to model my game after guys like Josh Hart and Dennis Rodman—those hustle players who make an impact with the little things. I just try to bring energy and do whatever it takes to help my team win.

7. Being one of the veterans on the team, how have you had to develop from a leadership aspect this season? How has it been mentoring the younger guys?

It’s been a big shift for me. I was the youngest guy on the team not too long ago, and now I’m one of the older guys. That means I have to lead by example, both on and off the court. It’s about pushing myself to get in better shape and setting a good example for the younger guys. I’m not the loudest guy on the team, but when something needs to be said, I make sure to speak up. I’ve also tried to help the younger guys, who are just starting their college careers. Helping them to relax and focus on the little details—like getting comfortable with the pace of the game and the intensity of the OUA.

8. How does the squad get along as a team?

This is by far the most connected group I’ve been a part of at Western. We have great chemistry, and it shows on the court. We hang out a lot off the court, and that makes a huge difference when we’re playing together. We all really care about each other, and we’ve built a tight-knit group. It’s great to be part of a team where everyone is so inclusive, and that trust really helps when we’re in tough games. A couple of my favorite experiences have been flying out to Vancouver to play at UBC and playing at Algoma with a lot of my family in attendance. Both were really special moments for me.

9. So far, who has been your toughest matchup and why?

Aaron Rhooms has been one of my toughest matchups. I’ve played against him before, and he’s always been a strong player in this league. We’ve had some competitive games, and I respect his talent and approach to the game. Another guy I’ve enjoyed competing against is Brock Newton. He got an All-Star nod last year, and I think I can definitely be in that conversation this season.

10. What team are you looking forward to playing most in the second half of your season?

I’m looking forward to playing Laurier. There’s a bit of a rivalry there and we’ve had some good games against them in the past. I’m also looking forward to playing Waterloo again. We had a tough loss to them earlier, but I know we can bounce back and compete with them.

11. What do you think the ceiling for your Western team this season is, and how do you guys have to play as a whole to achieve that?

The biggest goal we’ve set this season is to win our division. Right now, a bunch of teams are tied up, so if we can take care of business and win the division, we’ll make it to nationals. That’s something I’ve never experienced, and it’s definitely something I’m working towards. To get there, we’ve got to fix the little things—especially those close losses we’ve had. It’s really about playing our game for 40 minutes, regardless of what the scoreboard says.