Dakota Mathias is a Rising G-League Star

Volume 2 Issue 6

Feb 05, 2023

(Photo by Tim Heitman/NBAE via Getty Images)

Although he may not be a household name or viral sensation like other G-Leaugers, Dakota Mathias has proven so far this season to be a consistent and elite player. The Elida native has helped the Memphis Hustle to a 10-5 record and are currently 3rd in the Western Division in just his second full G-League season.

The former Purdue sharpshooter and All-Conference Defensive Player is currently leading the Hustle in 3 pointers made per game as he is shooting 40.9% on the year. He currently leads the team in minutes played, and is second on the team in points, field goals made and plus-minus. He is one of only three Hustle players to take the floor in every game so far this season.

It is quite impressive the level he has performed at so far this season given his professional basketball tenure thus far. Coming out of college, Mathias signed with the Cavaliers for the Summer League and then spent the 2018-19 season for Joventut in Spain where he saw limited action due to an ankle injury. The 2019-20 season saw Mathias play for the Mavericks during the Summer League and then play for their G-League affiliate, the Texas Legends, where he averaged just over 18 points a game. Mathias then played eight games during the 2020-21 season for the 76ers. The 2021-22 season saw Dakota play six game for the Memphis Grizzlies. This past Summer League, Dakota tore up the floor for Memphis and he has been in the Hustle’s starting lineup ever sense.

Will Dakota Mathias get another NBA shot? Given his consistent high level of play the answer should be yes. What also may give him a shot this year is that the Grizzlies are ranked 23rd in 3-point percentage per game. At some point the Grizzlies are going to need a sharpshooting spark to come off the bench. What does not help is the fact that the Grizzlies are a young team that has very little playing time available. However, if there one way to get to the top it’s to shine in the biggest moment. So I leave you with Mathias’ game winner in just his 7th NBA game.

Nigel Hayes-Davis double-double highlights

Leading Updates

Grace VanSlooten (Toledo/Notre Dame) won PAC-12 Freshman of the Week for the 4th time this year.
Katie Clark (Rossford) set the Purdue-Fort Wayne indoor record in the 200m and the 4x400m
Nigel Hayes-Davis (Toledo/Whitmer) named EuroLeague MVP of the week.

Notable Game Updates

On January 30th Zavier Simpson (Lima/Lima Senior) had 17 points and 15 assists in a Lakeland Magic loss to the Westchester Knicks.
On January 31st Da’Sean Nelson (Toledo/Rogers) had 16 points in a DePaul loss to Connecticut.
On February 1st Sammi Mikonowicz (Rossford) had 19 points and 13 rebounds in a Toledo win over Central Michigan.
On February 1st Ivy Wolf (Minster) had 12 points in a Miami OH loss to Buffalo.
On February 2nd Kacee Baumhower (Sylvania/Northview) had 14 points and 8 rebounds in a Wright State win over Northern Kentucky.
On February 3rd Tahj Staveskie (Sandusky) had 11 points in a Canisius loss to Niagara.
On February 3rd Grace VanSlooten (Toledo/Notre Dame) had 15 points in an Oregon loss to Colorado.
On February 4th Noah Koch (Genoa) threw 61’08.5 in the shot put and 68’06 in the weight throw to finish 2nd and 3rd for Indiana at the Meyo Invitational.
On Febuary 4th Katie Ruffener (Crestline/Colonel Crawford) ran 8.78 in the 60m Hurdles to finish 3rd for Iowa State at the ISU Classic.
On February 4th Kenna Stimmel (Castalia/Margaretta) vaulter 14’07.25 to finish 2nd for Virginia Tech at the Doc Hale VT Meet.

Northwest Ohio Sports Weekly

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