Garrison Mathews made this year’s edition of Zach Lowe’s Luke Walton All-Stars and the ESPN scribe details the wing’s journey to the NBA.
Mathews went to Lipscomb University where he only received a scholarship because another player turned one down. He had considered himself a football player and “just showed up to games” for basketball. That all changed after his freshman year where he began to dial in on the hardwood and change his diet.
“I never thought the NBA was even a possibility,” Mathews told Lowe.
The 6-foot-5 guard wasn’t drafted after four seasons at the University, though the Wizards ended up inking him to a G League deal with much of that a result of the effort he put forth on the court. Over the last two years, Mathews has turned into a fine spot starter for Bradley Bealand he’s fit in nicely as the team shifted from the Wall-era to the Beal-Westbrook show.
Mathews , who is on a two-way deal, will be a free agent at the end of the season but it’ll be surprising if the Wizards’ front office doesn’t make a strong attempt to keep Mathews in the DMV, provided the market doesn’t get out of hand.
Wizards need just one more win to clinch Top-10 seed
If the Wizards win Wednesday night’s tilt against the Hawks, they’ll clinch at least the 10th seed. Washington will make the attempt without the services of Bradley Beal, who is out with a hamstring injury.
The Wizards have three games remaining and after tonight’s Hawks contest, they’ll take on the Cavaliers and Hornets at home.
