Pressey scored 23 points in Navarro’s 66-65 first-round victory Tuesday over Middle Georgia. He’s the son of former NBA player and current New Orleans Hornets assistant coach Paul Pressey.
The Region 14 MVP, Pressey averages 17 points.
“He’s one of those guys that can wear many hats,” Navarro coach Johnny Estelle said. “For us, last year, he was a glue guy, very good complement guy, good defender. This year, he’s our go-to guy offensively.
“I think he could play any role, because he’s dedicated to winning, and being a winner, you can put him anywhere on the floor. He’s had to play different roles over the course of his career. Anything the coach asks him to do, he’s going to be able to do.”
Sadler attended all six of Tuesday’s first-round games, along with assistant coach Phil Matthews. When Nebraska’s season ended in last week’s Big 12 Tournament, Sadler said he’d be on the hunt for a guard.
“The college game is about guards,” he said. “You have to have somebody who can go make a play.”
Pressey said he’s fulfilled that role this season in place of DeAndre Brown, last season’s Texas junior college player of the year who’s now with Louisiana Tech.
“Last year, my role was to defend and chip in on the points here and there,” Pressey said. “For the most part, my scoring’s picked up. I’m basically a playmaker for my team. I’m taking the spot DeAndre had, making passes, bringing the ball up the floor, making shots.”
Nebraska has a connection to Navarro in Eric Colbert, who served two seasons as Sadler’s team manager for player development and is now a Navarro assistant. But Missouri has signed Pressey’s younger brother, Phil, a 5-9 point guard.
Matt Pressey says his recruitment is wide open.
“Wait until after the season,” he said, “and then pick five schools or so and then go take a visit.”
