Matthew Knight (basketball)

Matthew Knight
No. 9 – Perth Wildcats
Position Centre / Power forward
League NBL
Personal information
Born (1985-05-31) 31 May 1985
Burnie, Tasmania
Nationality Australian
Listed height 204 cm (6 ft 8 in)
Listed weight 109 kg (240 lb)
Career information
High school Lake Ginninderra (Canberra, ACT)
College Loyola Marymount (2003–2007)
NBA draft 2007 / Undrafted
Playing career 2007–present
Career history
2007–2009 West Sydney Razorbacks / Sydney Spirit
2009 Kecskeméti KSE
2009–2010 Soproni sÖrdögök
2010–present Perth Wildcats
Career highlights and awards

Matthew James Knight (born 31 May 1985) is an Australian professional basketball player who currently plays for the Perth Wildcats of the Australian National Basketball League. He played college basketball at Loyola Marymount University.

Junior career

Knight is a product of Tasmanian basketball, playing for the Burnie Basketball Association as a junior. In 2002, he played for the NW Tasmania Thunder before moving to Canberra and joining the Australian Institute of Sport in 2003. In July 2003, he was also part of Australia's FIBA U19 World Championship gold medallist squad.[1]

College career

Knight moved to the United States to attend Loyola Marymount University in 2003–04. In his freshman season, his game time was limited due to injury, managing only 18 games while averaging 4.9ppg and 3.5rpg.[2][3]

In 2004–05, he proved to be a go-to-guy for the Lions all season playing 28 games (all starts) and averaging 28.9 minutes per game. His production subsequently improved as he averaged 15.4ppg, 5.9rpg, and 1.0spg. For his efforts, he earned All-West Coast Conference honourable mention honours as a sophomore.[2][3]

In 2005–06, he continued his strong play and production. In 30 games, he averaged 16.3ppg, 10.0rpg, and 1.1spg. He earned first-team All-WCC honours as a junior.[2][3]

In 2006–07, he again had a great season. In 28 games, he averaged 16.5ppg, 7.7rpg, 1.1apg, and 1.1spg. He again earned first-team All-WCC honours.[2][3]

Professional career

West Sydney Razorbacks / Sydney Spirit

Knight went undrafted in the 2007 NBA draft. In August 2007, he signed with the West Sydney Razorbacks for the 2007–08 NBL season.[4]

In July 2008, the Razorbacks changed their name to the Sydney Spirit. Knight then signed with the Spirit for the 2008–09 NBL season. Despite the struggles of the Spirit both on and off the court, Knight managed to have a very productive season, averaging 16.6 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, as he played and started in every game throughout the season.[5]

Hungary

In February 2009, following the conclusion of the 2008–09 NBL season, Knight joined Kecskeméti KSE of Hungary for the rest of the season.

In the summer of 2009, he signed with Soproni sÖrdögök of Hungary for the 2009–10 season.

Perth Wildcats

In April 2010, he signed a three-year deal with the Perth Wildcats.[6]

In July 2010, he joined the Rockingham Flames for the rest of the 2010 SBL season.[7] In April 2011, he joined the Willetton Tigers for the rest of the 2011 SBL season. On 17 June 2011, he suffered a slight calf strain and missed a month of action for the Tigers.[8][9]

On 5 May 2013, he re-signed with the Wildcats on a three-year deal.[10]

On 16 November 2014, Knight played his 100th game for the Wildcats in the 85-66 win over the Sydney Kings. In just under 30 minutes of action, he recorded a season high 16 points, along with 8 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block.[11] On 9 January 2015, he was ruled out for six weeks with a toe injury.[12] After missing just six games, he returned early as he proved his fitness for the 1 February match against Sydney.[13] He proved to be sorely missed while out as the Wildcats won just one game without him, but his return sparked them to victory as they defeated the Kings 80-61, ending a two-game losing streak and recording their first win at home in 2015. In just under 30 minutes off the bench, he recorded 12 points and 9 rebounds.[14]

For the first time in his Wildcats career, Knight had an injury-free season in 2015–16. With the team's acquisition of Nathan Jawai, Knight was able to move to his natural position of power forward. He subsequently played in 33 of the team's 34 games, and helped the Wildcats win their seventh NBL championship.[15] At the conclusion of the regular season, Knight was named the All-NBL second team.[16]

On 19 April 2016, Knight re-signed with the Wildcats on a two-year deal.[17]

Personal

Knight is the son of Scott and Debbie. His father played professional Australian rules football with the Collingwood Football Club. He also has a sister named Rachel.[2]

In November 2013, Knight and his partner Sherelle had their first child, a daughter named Mia Rose.[18] He later married Sherelle in September 2014.[19]

References

  1. ↑ "The Knightmare a defensive dream for Perth". NBL.com.au. 25 March 2014. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Matthew Knight Bio". lmulions.com. Retrieved 3 December 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Matthew Knight Stats". Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved 3 December 2013.
  4. ↑ "Knight Signs With Razorbacks". lmulions.com. 9 August 2007. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  5. ↑ "FUTURE BRIGHT FOR KNIGHT". SkySport.co.nz. 6 February 2009. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  6. ↑ "Knight rides in to Wildcats camp". WAToday.com.au. 7 April 2010. Retrieved 3 December 2013.
  7. ↑ "Goldfields Giants secure finals spot". Yahoo.com. 11 July 2010. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  8. ↑ "Knight suffers slight calf injury". NBL.com.au. 19 June 2011. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  9. ↑ "Player statistics for Matthew Knight". FoxSportsPulse.com. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  10. ↑ "Matt Knight re-signs for three seasons". Wildcats.com.au (NBL.com.au). 5 May 2013. Retrieved 3 December 2013.
  11. ↑ "Perth Wildcats smash Kings in Sydney". Wildcats.com.au (NBL.com.au). 16 November 2014. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
  12. ↑ "Matt Knight toe injury". Wildcats.com.au (NBL.com.au). 9 January 2015. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
  13. ↑ "Matt Knight returns from injury". Wildcats.com.au (NBL.com.au). 1 February 2015. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  14. ↑ "Perth Wildcats crush Sydney Kings". Wildcats.com.au (NBL.com.au). 1 February 2015. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  15. ↑ "PERTH WILDCATS – 2016 NBL CHAMPIONS". Wildcats.com.au (NBL.com.au). 6 March 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  16. ↑ "RANDLE, LISCH HEADLINE ALL-NBL TEAMS". NBL.com.au. 17 February 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
  17. ↑ "POWER PAIR SIGN NEW DEALS". Wildcats.com.au (NBL.com.au). 19 April 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
  18. ↑ "Damo's Dish: Congratulations Matty!". Wildcats.com.au (NBL.com.au). 2 December 2013. Retrieved 3 December 2013.
  19. ↑ "Cats centre plans to keep busy". Yahoo.com. 16 April 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2014.

External links

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