Michigan State University Athletics
Spartan Profile: Matt Costello
2/27/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Kellie Van Maele, MSU Athletic Communications
Faith in God, faith in the game and faith in life. That is what sets Matt Costello apart and is what caught the attention of coach Tom Izzo six years ago.
Fast-forward to this season and Costello has become one of Izzo's most consistent players, averaging approximately 10 points and eight rebounds per game. Although he may have slid under the radar for his first few years at MSU, he knows that his senior year is a time to shine.
"It's been a long road and I've had to sit behind some really good players and be second fiddle for a while, but it's just kind of culminating on a really good senior year right now," Costello said. "I've learned that you have to be patient and put your time in and it will eventually work out for you."
Coming in as a freshman in 2012-13, the 6-foot-9 forward left his rural roots to move to campus with the understanding that he wasn't the typical "college kid."
"To be honest, it was very difficult at the beginning because when I came to college I was not trying to be typical," Costello said. "But it was an opportunity that God put me in, so I knew I was going to be alright here."
As his teammates got to know the true Costello, they accepted him for who he was, regardless of the fact that he may be different. That began a bond that would be evident for the rest of Costello's life.
The 2012 Hal Schram Mr. Basketball Award winner claims his confidence on the court comes from his teammates, specifically Denzel Valentine and Bryn Forbes, who make up the senior trio that commands the court.
The strong senior class has worked together to lead one of the most unselfish teams in MSU basketball's history. This selflessness derives from the understanding that everyone has a role on the team, everyone understands what is expected of them and put together, they operate like a well-oiled machine.
"I think our chemistry on the court is perfect," Costello said. "We understand that Denzel is going to make assists, we understand that Bryn is going to score and I understand that I am going to sit in the post and do my thing down there. If that means I score zero points and get zero rebounds, then I'm fine with that. I don't think any of us have a selfish bone in our body â€" we all want the team to win and I am very confident that Bryn and Denzel feel the same way."
Not only has Costello been able to lead the team with Valentine and Forbes, he also credits them for bettering his skills in the game.
Costello acknowledged Forbes for teaching him how to communicate on the court and keep his eyes up, while he praised Valentine for always being the voice in the back of his head to stay positive.
"I used to get really depressed when things weren't going my way on the court," Costello said. "But Denzel has always been on me to ‘keep it up, keep playing and keep your confidence up.' I am so appreciative for what he's been able to do for me."
At the forefront of Costello's thoughts, however, is how much Tom Izzo has impacted his life from the time that he was offered a scholarship, to today.
The 2012 Gatorade Michigan High School Player of the Year began playing AAU basketball in eighth grade, with his sights set on playing college basketball at Saginaw Valley State University. From Linwood, Michigan, he figured he would stay local and play for the Cardinals because it just seemed "right."
Oakland University was the first to reach out to Costello after his freshman season, which was a huge shock to him, mostly because it wasn't from SVSU.
"I got my first offer from Oakland University and thought to myself, ‘What? That's not Saginaw Valley.' I didn't understand everything that was going on. I thought that Saginaw Valley was the biggest and best thing that I could do."
To his surprise, the offer from Michigan State came during his sophomore year, which "shook up his world." Hesitant to leave his hometown, Costello made his final decision to become a Spartan with the faith that God had decided to put him with Coach Izzo in East Lansing.
Six years later and Costello is facing his last games under Izzo's leadership, but he continues to be fascinated by the efforts of his coach.
"His work ethic is something to be marveled after â€" that's what makes him such a fantastic coach and a Hall of Famer," Costello said. "He is able to push people because he has that drive within him and he would never expect anything from me that he wouldn't expect from himself. I've just been really impressed by that and it's something I strive for."
As his time as a Spartan comes to an end, Costello has been filled with emotion, but mostly wants to celebrate the time he's had here and the lessons that he's learned.
Quick to mention his family, Costello claims one of the biggest lessons he learned at MSU was the importance of the Spartan family â€" one of the biggest influences on his decision to come to Michigan State. He hopes to continue all of the traditions of the Spartan family, including coming back, giving back and carrying on his pride for MSU throughout the rest of his life.
The Costellos became members of the Spartan family at the beginning of Matt's basketball career and they can always be spotted sitting in the stands at the Breslin Center.
"The main crew that comes to my games is my mom, Jen, my dad, Mike and my fiancé Anna," Costello said. "I spend most of warm-ups looking up in the stands and waiting for them to come in, peeking every time I go through a layup. When they finally come down it's like ‘Okay, now I can focus on the game.' It just means the world to me when they're there."
When he heads home from East Lansing later this year, Costello will continue to have a lot to look forward too.
"I'm really looking forward to getting married this summer and I'm also kind of excited just to be on my own," Costello said. "Michigan State does a very good job of taking care of you when you're here so as soon as you leave you know how to fend for yourself."
As for his career in basketball, Costello hopes to continue to play in the NBA or overseas, but is focusing on the present, a culminating senior year.
Costello claims that his experience at Michigan State has been an opportunity of God, and his consistency comes from a combination of things highlighting his coach, his teammates and his faith.
"It has been so humbling," Costello said of the past four years. "It takes you from the high in high school â€" scoring all the points and getting all the rebounds â€" to a little fish in a big pond. It makes you not such a big deal. You have to find your own way again. You have to start from scratch. You come here and you have this big ego, but then it comes down to who really matters to you and who really means something to your life. You always have to remember where you come from."
His patience has gotten Costello to where he is today and he believes that that is the reason behind his standout senior year.
"It is the opportunity that God has put me in. He is kind of telling me that, ‘this is your show now, so good luck.' I'm not sure where this journey will take me or where I will end up, but I'm going to give it to God and let it ride because one thing is for sure, I want to continue on with basketball as long as I can, just about until my knees give out."
