NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. — The best thing that happened to Iona point guard Scott Machado was spending this summer in Brazil and China.
Machado, whose parents were both born in Brazil, trained with the Brazilian team for the World University Games and then competed with the team in Shenzhen, China from Aug. 13-17.
He now leads Division 1 with 12.2 assists per game while averaging 18.6 points through five games for the 4-1 Gaels.
“I think it helped him grow up a lot,” Iona coach Tim Cluess said after his team pasted LIU, 100-84, Monday night. “He probably got to see some people who played professionally or work at the game professionally and realize where his work ethic is compared to theirs.
“And I think he came back with a a renewed work ethic and he hasn’t stopped.”
During his time in Brazil and China, Machado played alongside Syracuse’s Fab Melo, Idaho’s Luiz Toledo, Lucas Nogueira, who plays pro ball in Spain, and Andre Goes, who plays in Brazil.
Machado told the Gaels website this summer that the biggest differences were playing with the 24-second shot clock “and being allowed to take the ball off the hoop when it’s rolling on the rim.”
“The shot clock makes it a much faster tempo and the athletes are much bigger,” he added. “It’s a challenging atmosphere that I truly enjoy playing.”
During a recent three-game trip to Puerto Rico, Machado put up 41 assists and just six turnovers.
North Carolina’s Kendall Marshall is second nationally with 10.8 assists, and LIU coach Jim Ferry compared Machado favorably to Marshall.
“Kendall’s a lot bigger, but yeah, I think Scott’s phenomenal,” said Ferry, whose team lost to the Tar Heels in the NCAA Tournament last year. “I don’t see why not. I mean, this kid statistically he’s going to have unbelievable stat but they’re not padded. And yeah, he’s got great players around him but he’s using those great players. And a lot of kids are stubborn and won’t.”
Ferry said Machado, a Bronx native who finished up at St. Benedict’s Prep under Dan Hurley, is the engine that makes the Gaels go, adding, “They could have a really special year.”
If so, Machado can look back on his experience this summer as the driving force behind Iona’s big year.
“I think him going to Brazil this summer was the best thing that ever happened to him,” said teammate Mike Glover, “and I’m just pretty much proud of Scott.”
