NBA Draft 2019: Top 25 undrafted players since 2000
With Jimmy Butler on the roster, Wesley Matthews exploded statistically in his senior season, averaging 18.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per game on 48 percent shooting. The 6-foot-5 guard was an All-Big East performer in 2010, but couldn’t use it to get drafted into the NBA, with his athleticism being in question.
The Utah Jazz picked him up and got some good production in his rookie campaign. But it was the following year when he landed with the Portland Trail Blazers that saw Matthews reach his full potential.
He scored 15.9 points per game in his second season and shot nearly 40 percent from 3-point range all five years with them. The former Golden Eagle averaged around 15 points per game during his time with Portland and consistently ranked in the top-10 nationally in 3-point shooting.
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His smooth release from his shots and “bow and arrow” celebration after made 3-pointers were copycatted everywhere around.
Matthews went from undrafted to receiving a four-year, $70 million deal in free agency with the Dallas Mavericks in 2015. His production slightly dipped, but was still a lethal threat from distance and is considered one of the top professionals in the sport. He played 250 games straight at one point and have an “iron man” reputation of sorts during his NBA prime.
The 32-year-old Matthews played for three teams this past season, but still is making an impact, scoring nearly 11 points per game for the Indiana Pacers on their late-season run to the NBA Playoffs. He’ll be a free agent this offseason. Even though Matthews is getting up there in age, his shooting prowess remains at a high clip.
Next. NBA comparisons for projected 2019 first-round draft picks. dark
He’s the first undrafted player in NBA history to make over 1,500 3-pointers and has the case of the best overall scorer since 2000 who failed to get drafted. In a Marquette era that included both Dwyane Wade and Butler, Matthews has carved out a good NBA career for himself.
Career stats (724 games): 13.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists per game