Matt Kavanaugh Class: Junior Hometown: Centerville, OH High School: Centerville Height / Weight: 6-9 / 250 Position: F/C

Matt Kavanaugh returns for his junior season to provide some muscle down low for the Flyers in 2011-2012. Kavanaugh made strides from his freshman to sophomore seasons, especially on the defense end. Kavanaugh was thrust into several difficult situations throughout the 2010-2011 season, which involved defending the opponent's top post player. Known as a player who doesn't shy away from contact, Kavanaugh has the ability to keep many possessions alive by hitting the offensive glass. Many times in limited minutes, Kavanaugh grabbed at least two offensive rebounds in 12 games during the 2010-2011 season.

Kavanaugh was part of a streak of top local products to play basketball at UD. Kavanaugh follows Chris Wright of Trotwood-Madison High School and Dayton Dunbar graduate Josh Benson (Benson redshirted as a freshman).

If anyone was "born" to be a Flyer, it is Kavanaugh. His parents attended UD games while his mother Susan was pregnant with him. His father John is a UD graduate. His uncle Tom played football at Dayton in the mid-1960's. And Matt's great-uncle, Bob Kavanaugh, was one of the Flyers' first basketball-only scholarship players and is a member of the UD Athletic Hall of Fame. He played for the Flyers from 1939-42 and when he graduated, he held the single game, season and career scoring records.

2010-11 Matt Kavanaugh played in 32 games for the Flyers during the 2010-2011 season. He played a total of 293 minutes (9.2 mpg), scored 62 points (1.9 ppg) and hauled in 75 rebounds (2.3 rpg). Kavanaugh shot .451 (23-of-51) from the field and snagged 44 offensive rebounds. He placed fifth on the team in offensive rebounds and his seven blocks ranked fourth on the team.

Kavanaugh opened the season against Mount St. Mary's with two points and five rebounds in 14 minutes of action. At Ole Miss, he netted two points and hauled in three rebounds.

Kavanaugh played his best game in a Flyer uniform in the victory at Seton Hall. He was instrumental in rallying the Flyers from a 14 point halftime deficit with nine second half points. In that game, Kavanaugh recorded career-highs of 15 points, seven rebounds and 19 minutes played. Five of his seven rebounds came on the offensive glass, and Kavanaugh shot a stellar 5-of-7 from the field and 5-of-6 from the foul line.

In the double overtime victory against New Mexico, Kavanaugh scored three points and snagged five rebounds, four of which were offensive rebounds. At Xavier, Kavanaugh netted five points and hauled in six rebounds. Against Saint Bonaventure, he scored six points and tied a career-best with seven rebounds.

At La Salle, Kavanaugh netted four points and pulled down four rebounds. At Rhode Island, he scored six points and hauled in six rebounds, including four offensive rebounds. In the A-10 tournament quarterfinal victory against Xavier, Kavanaugh scored five points and snagged two rebounds.

2009-10 Matt Kavanaugh played in 14 games for the Flyers while averaging 0.8 points and 0.8 rebounds per game. Kava­naugh shot 5-of-12 from the field and played 43 minutes during the 2009-2010 season. Kavanaugh's first career collegiate game came against #19 Georgia Tech where he recorded four minutes and had the task of defending future NBA players, Derrick Favors and Gani Lawal. Matt recorded two rebounds and swatted his first career block against Lehigh. Matt tallied his first career point on a free throw and hauled in two rebounds against Presbyterian. Matt scored two points against Ball State and chipped in two points and three rebounds at Saint Louis. Kavanaugh netted two points and grabbed a rebound in the victory over UMass. In the NIT second round at Cincinnati, Kavanaugh tallied two points in four minutes of action.

High School Kavanaugh was a rare sophomore starter for coach Jim Staley's Centerville High School program, and with Kavanaugh in the paint, the Elks went 19-4 overall in 2006-07 and won their third consecutive Greater West­ern Ohio Conference championship. He averaged 13 points, 9.9 rebounds and three blocks as a sophomore. He was first team all-conference and Second Team All- Southwest Ohio.

As a junior, Kavanaugh blossomed from being one of the best players in the Dayton area to one of the best in the state. He was the only underclassman on the 2008 First and Second Team Division I All-Ohio teams after averaging 20.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.4 blocks per game.

In his senior season, Kavanaugh averaged 17.7 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game for Centerville. Kavanaugh was named to the All-Ohio Team as well.

Personal Data Full Name: Matthew Kevin Kavanaugh Nickname: Big Kav Son of: John and Susan Kavanaugh Siblings: Alan (21) Kelly (16) Birthday: March 9, 1991 Major: Entrepreneurship High School Coach: Jim Staley AAU Team: All-Ohio Career Goal: Play professional basketball Why I Chose UD: I chose UD because it is a great team to be a part of where everyone gets along. Also, the school and entire community is a fun place to live, and I like being closer to home so family can see my games.

Dayton Career Highs Points: 2, Four Times Rebounds: 3, at Saint Louis (2/13/10) Assists: 1, Charlotte (2/10/10) Steals: None Yet FGs Made: 1, Four Times Blocks: 1, Lehigh (12/5/09) FT Made: 1, Prebyterian (12/19/09) Minutes: 6, Lehigh (12/5/09)

Flyer 35's... Razor Campbell (1950-51), Pete Boyle (1951-52), Gordon Dodane (1953-54), Rick Walsh (1954-55), George Janky (1967-70), Noland Robinson (1986-90), Sean Scrutchins (1990-92), Rodney Horton (1994-97)