Former Smithton Saint Matthew Knight returns to town this Friday (June 21) after a decorated career with the Perth Wildcats.
Developing a love for the game from a young age, Knight played with the Saints Under 13 and Under 15 sides before moving to Burnie in grade nine. He now returns to pass on his playing knowledge to the Saints’ next generation at a series of development clinics.
Receiving a scholarship at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, Knight graduated to go on to play college basketball with Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California.
He was an integral part of the team’s starting five, playing an 104 games over his four years and averaging 14.1 points and 7.2 rebounds.
His performances put him on the radar of National Basketball League teams back in Australia and when he graduated he received a contact offer from the West Sydney Razorbacks.
Knight made waves in his first season in the NBL, putting up six double-doubles and averaging 12 points and 8.6 rebounds in his 25 appearances.
Internal financial troubles led to the club’s closure shortly afterwards, leaving Knight out of contract at the end of 2008.
As he looked for an outlet to continue his basketball career, a contract came from an unlikely source. A Hungarian basketball team by the name of Soproni KC.
Knight packed up his things and headed to Hungary for his second taste of international basketball.
In 2010, Knight was lured back to the NBL and signed on with the Perth Wildcats.
In his seven years with the Wildcats, Knight played in five Grand Finals, including three winning premierships. He averaged 11.08 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.
In his final year, he played just five games before serial concussions forced him into retirement.
Now, 18 months on, Matthew has returned to Tasmania for a series of clinics on the north west, including in Smithton this Friday (June 21).
A session for children aged under 14 will be held from 3.30pm to 5pm, followed by a session for players aged under 18 from 5.15pm to 6.45pm at Smithton Sports Centre.
Starting out with the Smithton Saints, Matthew Knight played seven seasons with the Perth Wildcats in the National Basketball League including five Grand Final appearances.
