I am excited to announce my commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at SMSU. Special thanks to my family, friends, coaches, teammates and so many others who have helped me on this journey! Looking forward to starting my next chapter! 🙌🏼😁@geistfeld #LetsRide

St. Mary’s picked up a pair of big wins at home tonight against Dickinson Trinity The boys are now 2-0, while the girls are 2-1 @MatayaMess led the way in a 65-25 girls win @TTerry2825 shined as a sophomore breaking the 20 point mark #NDPreps | @SMCHSbball

Welcome to the family! 🤎🐴 We’re excited to officially announce Kaia Anderson has signed to become a Mustang! The future is bright!⭐️ #SigningDay #GoMustangs

Officially a Mustang (again)!🐴🖊️ We’re proud to welcome Lily Hubin to the Mustang family! This is just the beginning!🐴🤩

Another big addition to the Mustang Family!🐴🏀 Join us in congratulating Elly Herickhoff on officially becoming a Mustang! #FutureMustang #Signed 🖋️

Put the pen to paper — it’s official! 🖊️🐴 Taleigha Bigler is headed to Mustang Nation, and we couldn’t be more excited! #WelcomeHome #Mustangs

The Mustang family keeps getting stronger! 🙌 Huge congrats to Mataya Messer on officially signing to be a Mustang — we can’t wait to see what’s ahead!🤎🐴 #GoMustangs #NextChapter

CONCEPTUALLY THINKING BASKETBALL: Film Study @MatayaMess @ssahoopsteams MATAYA MESSER (‘26) - ST. MARY’S CENTRAL (BISMARCK, ND) 5’10” Small Forward | Sanford Sports Academy | High-Motor Wing with Elite Defensive Activity and Rebounding Instincts ----- PLAYER OVERVIEW Mataya Messer exemplifies the player type that analytics prize and coaches depend on—relentless effort, defensive versatility, and rebounding that reshapes possessions. At 5’10”, she plays above her size through timing, positioning, and persistence. Her NDSU offer validates her projection as a system-driven difference maker whose value extends far beyond box score flash. ----- PRODUCTION ANALYSIS: MOTOR-DRIVEN VALUE CREATION Messer’s 15.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game form a well-rounded impact profile. Her rebounding output for a wing is exceptional; she consistently outpositions taller opponents through anticipation and sustained engagement. This is not opportunistic rebounding—it’s built on predictive reads and hustle. Her 50.6 percent field goal mark shows disciplined shot selection and finishing craft. She scores within structure: cutting, attacking offensive glass, and converting transition chances. Defensively, her 1.9 steals per game underscore activity, but her true defensive value is her versatility—rotating, switching, and protecting space. The blend of rebounding, defense, and efficient scoring creates an advanced plus-minus footprint. Messer raises team efficiency even when usage is low. ----- BASKETBALL INTELLIGENCE: SYSTEMATIC EFFORT AMPLIFIES SKILL Messer’s game thrives on anticipation and awareness. She tracks shot trajectories early, predicts caroms, and executes help defense rotations with precision. Her intelligence allows her to turn constant effort into measurable efficiency. She defends across positions, checks both guards and forwards, and uses angles to neutralize mismatches. Offensively, her timing in transition and spacing choices highlight instinctual court mapping. Messer understands possession flow—the difference between chasing plays and engineering them. ----- COMPETITIVE CHARACTER: MIDWEST CIRCUIT VALIDATION Through Sanford Sports Academy and North Tartan EYBL appearances, Messer has tested her motor and IQ against elite talent. The consistent performance across circuits shows her production isn’t inflated by small-school environments. The NDSU offer underscores Division I belief in her translatable energy and intelligence. Her effort level is constant. Practices, games, rebounds, and recoveries all carry the same tempo. That commitment to sustained effort is a cultural currency for winning teams. ----- SYSTEM FIT: TRANSITION SYSTEMS AND PRESSING DEFENSES Messer’s profile fits uptempo systems emphasizing pace, glass control, and defensive pressure. She’s an archetypal wing for coaches who prioritize activity and versatility over isolation scoring. Her ability to play both forward spots and guard in multiple schemes enhances lineup flexibility. ANALYTICAL FRAMEWORK METRICS Rebounding Rate: 18.2% – Elite tier for wings Defensive Event Creation: 3.0 steals blocks per game Points Per Shot: 1.11 – Efficient within role Motor Plays Per Game: 4.7 – Offensive boards, deflections, and charges Competition Adjusted Production: Top 5 ND prospect in 2026 class ----- THE @coachbeechum VERDICT Mataya Messer’s value stems from possession equity. She creates additional opportunities through relentless rebounding, converts them efficiently, and erases mistakes defensively. Her game is defined by structure, not spectacle. #OWUEvalDay #ConceptuallyThinking #BuiltDifferent #PlayerTrustNetwork #ScoutingTruths #FilmTellsTruth [@PGHBrooks ] [@NXTPROG] [@JrAllStarBB] [] [@IGBRcoverage [@WorldExposureWB] [@_BlakeDerrick] [@WKGameBall] [@EconAdjunct] [@FiveStateHoops] [@OWUTALENT ][@PGHDakotas ] [@JrAllStarIowa ]

After a great visit with @natbasket2302 and the coaching staff, i’m excited to announce that I have received my first offer to play basketball at the University of Minnesota Crookston! Thank you for believing in me! @UMNCrookstonWBB

We had @MatayaMess on The Dakota Drive today to talk about her commitment to play basketball at Southwest Minnesota State The St. Mary’s senior held offers from multiple NSIC schools Full conversation: kfyrtv.com/2025/09/01/dakota… #NDPreps

After a great visit with Coach Wagers and Wingenbach, and attending their elite camp where they made me feel at home, I’m excited to share that I’ve been offered an opportunity to continue my basketball career at Concordia College! Truly grateful for the opportunity. @CobberWbb

After a great visit to @DCBWomensBB, I am excited to announce I have received an offer! Thank you to Coach Simpson for having me! 🏀 #GoJacks 🪓 @natesimpson1979

⛹️‍♀️🏀ND PHENOM 17U🏀⛹️‍♀️ Back: Hailey Attleson-Jamestown '26 Hannah Attleson-Jamestown '27 Claire Marker-Jamestown '28 Mataya Messer-St. Mary's '26 Journey Oukrup-St. Mary's '26 Front: Adisyn Yunck-Jamestown '27 Laney Will-Surrey '26 Mea Ulland-Jamestown '26 Coach Greg Ulland

I am blessed to say that I have received an offer to play at @jimmie_wbb! Great thanks to coach @thadstanley @faith_brintle5 @CoachLind for believing in me and giving me this opportunity to continue my basketball career!

I’m blessed and honored to have received an offer to play basketball at @jimmie_wbb! Thank you, Coach @thadsankey for believing in me and giving me this opportunity to continue to play the game that I love. All glory to God #Grateful #BasketballJourney

Great thanks to Tom Webb and @gestfeld for hosting me and letting me tour the campus. I am excited to say that I have received an offer to play at @SMSUWomensHoops and continue my basketball career. Thank you coaches for giving me this opportunity!!

I am greatfull to have received an offer from @MDSBeaversWBB! Great thanks to @Coach_ClarkR @emma_sterkel and coach Mullin for believing in me!

I am grateful to have received an offer from @MSUM_WBB! Thank you @nelsnkar and @Coach_Swenson for giving me an opportunity to continue my basketball career!

Unsigned 2026’s 👀👀 prepgirlshoops.com/2025/07/u… @ascheeler3 @addy_sage @LeeleeBell2026 @lizatrenbeath @aubrey_kenner10 @MeganDietz26 @MatayaMess / Karleigh Kadoun / Cheryl Hayes @PGHDakotas @PrepGirlsHoops @PGHCircuit @DaksHoops #NDpreps

Great thanks to coach Nuemann for giving me an opportunity to tour the campus and talk to his team! I am grateful to have received an offer for basketball at UMary! @UMaryWomenBball @sanfordhoopsfgo @NDPhenomGirls