Matthew Mooney (born February 7, 1995) is an American professional
basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular Basketball court, court, compete with the primary objective of #Shooting, shooting a basketball (ball), basketball (appr ...
player for
Darüşşafaka Lassa of the
Basketball Super League
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular court, compete with the primary objective of shooting a basketball (approximately in diameter) through the defender's h ...
(BSL) in
Turkey
Turkey ( tr, Türkiye ), officially the Republic of Türkiye ( tr, Türkiye Cumhuriyeti, links=no ), is a list of transcontinental countries, transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolia, Anatolian Peninsula in Western Asia, with ...
. He played college basketball for the
Texas Tech Red Raiders
The Texas Tech Red Raiders and Lady Raiders are the athletic teams that represent Texas Tech University, located in Lubbock, Texas. The women's basketball team uses the name Lady Raiders, while the school's other women's teams use the "Red Raide ...
and
South Dakota
South Dakota (; Sioux language, Sioux: , ) is a U.S. state in the West North Central states, North Central region of the United States. It is also part of the Great Plains. South Dakota is named after the Lakota people, Lakota and Dakota peo ...
having transferred after his freshman year at
Air Force
An air force – in the broadest sense – is the national military branch that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an a ...
.
Early life and high school career
Mooney has a younger brother Joe who is also a basketball player.
He attended
Notre Dame College Prep
Notre Dame College Preparatory is a male-only Roman Catholic secondary school founded in Niles, Illinois in 1955 by the Congregation of Holy Cross. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago.The school was built by Belli & Belli ...
and commuted two hours from
Wauconda, Illinois
Wauconda ( or ) is a village in Lake County, Illinois, United States. Per the 2020 census, the population was 14,084. It is the site of the Wauconda Bog Nature Preserve, a National Natural Landmark. Wauconda Community Unit School District 118 ...
to play under coach Tom Les.
Mooney was lightly recruited. He had two college offers coming out of high school and signed with
Air Force
An air force – in the broadest sense – is the national military branch that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an a ...
.
College career
Mooney averaged 6.9 points per game as a freshman at Air Force. However, he had trouble getting adjusted to the strictness of the military culture and experienced bullying. After the season, he opted to transfer.
After sitting out a season, Mooney averaged 18.6 points per game as a sophomore for
South Dakota
South Dakota (; Sioux language, Sioux: , ) is a U.S. state in the West North Central states, North Central region of the United States. It is also part of the Great Plains. South Dakota is named after the Lakota people, Lakota and Dakota peo ...
, leading the team to a regular season championship. He was named to the First–team All-
Summit League
The Summit League, or The Summit, is an NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletic conference with its membership mostly located in the Midwestern United States from Illinois on the East of the Mississippi River to the Dakotas and Nebraska on the W ...
and newcomer of the year. As a junior, Mooney averaged 18.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists. He was named to the First–team All-Summit League again. He had 31 points in a loss to
TCU and 30 points in a loss to
South Dakota State
South Dakota State University is a public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Brookings, South Dakota. Founded in 1881, it is the state's largest and most comprehensive university and the oldest continually ...
in the Summit League championship. Following the season, Mooney opted to transfer as a graduate student, selecting
Texas Tech
Texas Tech University (Texas Tech, Tech, or TTU) is a public research university in Lubbock, Texas. Established on , and called Texas Technological College until 1969, it is the main institution of the five-institution Texas Tech University Sys ...
over offers from
Northwestern and
Creighton.
Texas Tech was coming off a season in which the team reached the Elite Eight but lost some important pieces. Mooney averaged 11 points per game and shot 38 percent from behind the arc. He partnered with
Jarrett Culver to help the team reach its first-ever Final Four. Mooney scored 17 points in an upset of
Gonzaga in the Elite Eight.
[ In Texas Tech's first Final Four appearance on April 6, 2019, Mooney scored 22 points in Texas Tech's 61-51 defeat of ]Michigan State
Michigan State University (Michigan State, MSU) is a public land-grant research university in East Lansing, Michigan. It was founded in 1855 as the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan, the first of its kind in the United States. It i ...
to advance to the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship game. Texas Tech would lose the championship game to Virginia 85-77 in overtime. Mooney was then named to the 2019 All-Tournament Team.
Professional career
Memphis Hustle (2019–2020)
After going undrafted in the 2019 NBA draft
The 2019 NBA draft was held on June 20, 2019. It took place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. National Basketball Association (NBA) teams took turns selecting amateur United States college basketball players and other eligible players, i ...
, Mooney joined the Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta. The Hawks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference (NBA), Eastern Conference Southeast Division (NBA), Sou ...
' Summer League roster.
On September 4, 2019, Mooney signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies (referred to locally as the Grizz) are an American professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee. The Grizzlies compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Western Conference ...
, but was waived on October 14. He was named to the roster of the Grizzlies’ NBA G League
The NBA G League, or simply the G League, is the National Basketball Association's (NBA) official List of developmental and minor sports leagues, minor league basketball organization. The league was known as the National Basketball Development ...
affiliate, the Memphis Hustle
The Memphis Hustle are an American professional basketball team of the NBA G League based in the Greater Memphis suburb of Southaven, Mississippi, and are affiliated with the Memphis Grizzlies. The team plays their home games at the Landers Cent ...
.
Cleveland Cavaliers (2020)
On January 15, 2020, Mooney was signed to a two-way contract
A two-way contract is a professional sports contract that stipulates that an athlete's salary is dependent upon the league in which the athlete is assigned to play. This is opposed to a one-way contract that would pay the same salary regardless of ...
by the Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers (often referred to as the Cavs) are an American professional basketball team based in Cleveland. The Cavaliers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference (NBA), Ea ...
. Under the terms of the deal, he will split time between the Cavs and their G League affiliate, the Canton Charge
The Cleveland Charge are an American professional basketball team in the NBA G League based in Cleveland, Ohio, and are affiliated with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The team plays its home games at the Wolstein Center in downtown Cleveland.
The f ...
. He made his NBA debut on January 20, recording two points, a rebound and an assist in three minutes in a 106-86 loss to the New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, shortened and more commonly referred to as the New York Knicks, are an American professional basketball team based in the New York City borough of Manhattan. The Knicks compete in the National Basketball Associat ...
. Mooney was waived on December 19, 2020.
Raptors 905 (2021)
On January 27, 2021, Mooney signed with Raptors 905
The Raptors 905 are a Canadian professional basketball team in the NBA G League based in Mississauga, Ontario, and are affiliated with the Toronto Raptors. Raptors 905 began play in the 2015–16 season and play their home games at Paramount Fi ...
. He averaged 11.6 points and 5.7 assists per game.
Capitanes de Ciudad de México (2021)
On October 24, 2021, Mooney signed with Capitanes de Ciudad de México
The Capitanes de Ciudad de México (English: ''Mexico City Captains'') are a Mexican professional basketball team based in Mexico City, Mexico. The Capitanes competed as a member club in the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional (LNBP) for the ...
of the NBA G League
The NBA G League, or simply the G League, is the National Basketball Association's (NBA) official List of developmental and minor sports leagues, minor league basketball organization. The league was known as the National Basketball Development ...
. In 12 games, he averaged 15.2 points, 4.6 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 2.17 steals over 32.8 minutes per game.
New York Knicks (2021–2022)
On December 21, 2021, Mooney signed a 10-day contract with the New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, shortened and more commonly referred to as the New York Knicks, are an American professional basketball team based in the New York City borough of Manhattan. The Knicks compete in the National Basketball Associat ...
. He signed a second 10-day contract with the Knicks on December 31. Mooney played one game for the Knicks and had one steal.
Unicaja (2022)
On January 31, 2022, he was signed with Unicaja
Unicaja is a Spanish savings bank based in Málaga and chartered as a caja de ahorros providing retail banking services. The banks full name is ''Monte de Piedad y Caja de Ahorros de Ronda, Cádiz, Almería, Málaga y Antequera'' after the n ...
of the Liga ACB
The Liga ACB, known as Liga Endesa for sponsorship reasons, is the top professional basketball division of the Spanish basketball league system. Administrated by the Asociación de Clubs de Baloncesto (ACB), Liga ACB is contested by 18 teams, wi ...
.
Niners Chemnitz (2022–present)
On August 12, 2022, he has signed with Niners Chemnitz
Niners Chemnitz e.V., also named Chemnitz 99, is a German basketball club based in Chemnitz, Saxony. Currently, the team plays in the Basketball Bundesliga. Since its foundation, the team has played in Germany's lower divisions but moved up se ...
of the Basketball Bundesliga
The Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) (English language: ''Federal Basketball League''), for sponsorship reasons named easyCredit BBL, is the highest level league of professional club basketball in Germany. The league comprises 18 teams. A BBL season ...
(BBL).
Beşiktaş (2022–2023)
On October 7, 2022, he has signed with Beşiktaş Emlakjet of the Basketbol Süper Ligi
The Basketball Super League ( tr, Basketbol Süper Ligi; BSL), also known as the Türkiye Sigorta Basketbol Süper Ligi for sponsorship reasons, is the top men's professional basketball division of the Turkish basketball league system. It replac ...
(BSL).
Darüşşafaka (2023–present)
On January 29, 2023, he signed with Darüşşafaka Lassa of the Basketball Super League
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular court, compete with the primary objective of shooting a basketball (approximately in diameter) through the defender's h ...
(BSL).
Career statistics
NBA
Regular season
, -
, style="text-align:left;",
, style="text-align:left;", Cleveland
Cleveland ( ), officially the City of Cleveland, is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Cuyahoga County. Located in the northeastern part of the state, it is situated along the southern shore of Lake Erie, across the U.S. ...
, 4 , , 0 , , 4.8 , , .250 , , .000 , , – , , .8 , , .3 , , .5 , , .3 , , .5
, -
, style="text-align:left;",
, style="text-align:left;", New York
New York most commonly refers to:
* New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York
* New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States
New York may also refer to:
Film and television
* '' ...
, 1 , , 0 , , 2.0 , , .000 , , .000 , , , , .0 , , .0 , , 1.0 , , .0 , , .0
, - class="sortbottom"
, style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", Career
, 5 , , 0 , , 4.2 , , .200 , , .000 , , , , .6 , , .2 , , .6 , , .2 , , .4
College
, -
, style="text-align:left;", 2014–15
, style="text-align:left;", Air Force
An air force – in the broadest sense – is the national military branch that primarily conducts aerial warfare. More specifically, it is the branch of a nation's armed services that is responsible for aerial warfare as distinct from an a ...
, 29 , , 8 , , 19.2 , , .448 , , .387 , , .786 , , 1.9 , , 1.8 , , .8 , , .1 , , 6.9
, -
, style="text-align:left;", 2016–17
, style="text-align:left;", South Dakota
South Dakota (; Sioux language, Sioux: , ) is a U.S. state in the West North Central states, North Central region of the United States. It is also part of the Great Plains. South Dakota is named after the Lakota people, Lakota and Dakota peo ...
, 34 , , 34 , , 31.1 , , .460 , , .367 , , .717 , , 4.5 , , 2.1 , , 2.2 , , .1 , , 18.6
, -
, style="text-align:left;", 2017–18
, style="text-align:left;", South Dakota
South Dakota (; Sioux language, Sioux: , ) is a U.S. state in the West North Central states, North Central region of the United States. It is also part of the Great Plains. South Dakota is named after the Lakota people, Lakota and Dakota peo ...
, 34 , , 34 , , 30.6 , , .445 , , .352 , , .829 , , 4.1 , , 3.1 , , 2.0 , , .1 , , 18.7
, -
, style="text-align:left;", 2018–19
, style="text-align:left;", Texas Tech
Texas Tech University (Texas Tech, Tech, or TTU) is a public research university in Lubbock, Texas. Established on , and called Texas Technological College until 1969, it is the main institution of the five-institution Texas Tech University Sys ...
, 38 , , 38 , , 31.0 , , .426 , , .386 , , .782 , , 3.1 , , 3.3 , , 1.8 , , .1 , , 11.3
, - class="sortbottom"
, style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", Career
, 135 , , 114 , , 28.4 , , .446 , , .368 , , .772 , , 3.4 , , 2.6 , , 1.7 , , .1 , , 14.1
References
External links
Texas Tech Red Raiders bio
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mooney, Matt
1997 births
Living people
Air Force Falcons men's basketball players
American expatriate basketball people in Canada
American expatriate basketball people in Mexico
American men's basketball players
Baloncesto Málaga players
Basketball players from Chicago
Beşiktaş men's basketball players
Canton Charge players
Capitanes de Ciudad de México players
Cleveland Cavaliers players
Darüşşafaka Basketbol players
Liga ACB players
Memphis Hustle players
New York Knicks players
NINERS Chemnitz players
People from Wauconda, Illinois
Raptors 905 players
Shooting guards
South Dakota Coyotes men's basketball players
Texas Tech Red Raiders basketball players
Undrafted National Basketball Association players