Matteson Drafted to NBA D-League
Published on November 2, 2012 under International Basketball League (IBL)
Bellingham Slam News Release
BELLINGHAM, Wash.- Former Bellingham Slam center Evan Matteson was selected by the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the 2012 NBA Development League draft, which took place Friday evening.
The 6-foot-10 standout from Edmonds, Wash., was selected with Rio Grande Valley's eighth round pick, 119th overall. The Vipers are the minor league affiliate of the NBA's Houston Rockets.
Matteson caught the eye of the Rio Grande Valley coaching staff after participating in an open tryout for the team last month in McAllen, Texas.
Matteson played in three mid-season games for the Slam during the 2012 season, averaging 14.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. He provided the Slam with a healthy boost down the stretch as the Slam were in the hunt for the top seed in the International Basketball League playoffs. Matteson left the team in June after being selected to participate in the Gran Canaria Summer League in Spain.
Matteson is no stranger to the Rio Grande Valley as he played collegiately at Texas A&M International in Laredo.
For the Dustdevils, Matteson concluded an outstanding senior campaign last spring that saw him lead his team in scoring with 12.6 points per game en route to a 21-7 record and first place in the NCAA Division-II Heartland Conference. He also led in three other categories, including rebounds (6.8 per game), blocks (44) and field goal percentage (58.3). His collegiate career concluded with him earning the Heartland Conference's Player of the Year award, the first time a TAMIU player has received the award.
Matteson will now report to McAllen to attend the Vipers' training camp, which starts later this month, in the hopes of making the cut for the team's regular season roster. Rio Grande Valley opens their NBA D-League regular season at home on November 23 against the Bakersfield Jam.
For more information, contact the Slam at (360) 734-SLAM or visit their website at www.bellinghamslam.com.
International Basketball League Stories from November 2, 2012
- Matteson Drafted to NBA D-League - Bellingham Slam
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