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Miracles Put the Final Pieces in Place

November 4, 2014 - National Basketball League of Canada (NBL Canada) - Moncton Miracles News Release


(Moncton, NB) The Moncton Miracles are pleased to announce the addition of Shawn VanZant and Chris Matthews to their roster.

Shawn VanZant played at Butler University where he helped his team advance to back to back National Championships in 2011 and 2012. VanZant continued on to play in Finland, the NBA D League and most recently, the Island Storm. During the 2013-14 NBL Canada Season, Shawn led the league with the highest 3 point percentage before succumbing to an injury. He played in 52 games for the Storm ranking seventh in the league in assist to turnover ratio (2.33), shot 42% from the floor, 42% from the 3 point line, and 77% from the free throw line.

As seen during his time with the Rainmen, Chris Matthews is a force to be reckoned with at both ends of the court. This 6'4" shooting guard is a knock down shooter that Miracles fans will find comparable to past players Devin Sweetney and Johnny Mayhane. Matthews played 49 games for Halifax last season and averaged 14 points per game, shot 82% from the free-throw line, and scored a season high of 31 points against the Island Storm (03/12/14). He finished eighth in the league in total 3 point field goals made (106), ninth in 3 point field goals made per game (2.2), and tenth in 3 point percentage (40%).

Both VanZant and Matthews arrive in Moncton Tuesday and will have three practices under their belt with the Miracles squad before the game against the Rainmen Friday. These veteran players not only increase the on court talent of the team but add more NBL Canada experience to the roster.

"The Miracles feel very fortunate that we were able to sign two players of this caliber to fill two very important needs we identified," said Joe Salerno, Miracles General Manager. "Chris is that proven outside shooter that will spread the defenses. He fills our need for a player who can score the basketball from the outside consistently. Shawn provides a very high basketball IQ at the point guard position as well as being an on-ball lock down defender needed against all the very talented guards throughout the NBL. The fact he can be either a pass first or scoring point guard just makes him that much more dangerous for opposing teams. With other recent additions like Shamus Ferguson and Dwayne Smith, we now have all the pieces in place to compete with anyone in our League."

Matt Hunter and Decorey Jones have been released from the Miracles. The organization would like to thank them for their contribution and wish them the best of luck in the future.

The Miracles next home game is scheduled for Friday, November 7th against the Halifax Rainmen. Tip-off is 7pm at the Moncton Coliseum.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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