Ottawa BlackJacks Sign American Guard Matt Coleman III
The Ottawa BlackJacks of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Thursday that American Guard Matt Coleman III has signed with the club for the 2023 season.
A six-foot-two guard from Norfolk, Virginia, Coleman III averaged 10.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 steals over 69 professional games played in Greece, Turkey and in the NBA G League after a decorated collegiate career at the University of Texas at Austin.
Coleman III tipped off his professional career in 2021 with the Stockton Kings of the NBA G League and averaged 12.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.5 steals, and 30.7 minutes in 47 games played. He had 34 starts and scored a season-high 28 points, shooting 12-for-17 from the field and hitting three of his four three-pointers on February 24 against the Clippers. He also dished out a season-high 11 assists in that game. He recorded his first professional double-double on February 11 against the Sioux Falls Skyforce, tallying 17 points and 10 assists.
Coleman III played with the Sacramento Kings at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas in 2021 and 2022. He averaged 6.8 points, 2.5 assists and 15.5 minutes in 16 games while shooting .500 from the field and .364 from deep. He scored 14 points twice in 2021, including August 17 against the Celtics and August 3 against the Warriors.
Coleman III is currently completing his post-season with Peristeri in the Greek Basket League, the first-tier level professional basketball league of Greece. He started his 2022-23 campaign in Turkey, suiting up for Ayos Konyaspor and Besiktas in the Basketbol Super Ligi.
The Communication & Leadership graduate averaged 11.3 points, 3.7 assists, 1.1 steals and 33.0 minutes in 128 games played with the University of Texas at Austin Longhorns. He earned All-Big 12 honorable mentions in his freshman and sophomore seasons, All-Big 12 Third-Team selection as a junior and senior and was also named Academic All-Big 12 three times. He became the first player in Texas program history to lead the team in assists for four consecutive seasons, ranking fourth in school history in career assists (477). Coleman III started 128 games at Texas, the third most in school history.
As a senior in 2020-21, Coleman III was named MVP of the Big 12 Tournament after scoring a career-high 30 points on March 13 in a win over Oklahoma State and led Texas to its first Big 12 Tournament title. Earlier that season, during the Maui Invitational, Coleman III hit a step back jumper with 0.1 seconds left to help Texas beat No. 14 North Carolina 69-67 in the tournament final. He finished with 22 points and was the most valuable player for the Longhorns, securing the program's first Maui title in their fifth appearance.
Coleman III represented the United States at the 2016 FIBA Americas U18 Championship in Valdivia, Chile. As a member of the USA Men's U18 National Team, Coleman III averaged 7.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists in five games played and helped his team win the gold medal with a perfect 5-0 record.
In high school, Coleman III was ranked as the No. 29 overall prospect in the nation by ESPN following his senior season in Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia.
Ottawa BlackJacks fans may purchase single game tickets for the 2023 BlackJacks regular season here. The BlackJacks also have various ticket packages that allow fans to enjoy savings while securing their seats to some of the best games of the year, including season seat memberships, flex packs and group tickets. For more information, please contact the Ottawa BlackJacks Membership Services team directly at 613-690-0519 or by email at [email protected].
Quotes:
“I am excited to be a part of the Ottawa BlackJacks this season. I’m looking forward to competing everyday alongside my teammates to perform at an elite level. My teammates and I can’t wait to put on a show and win games for this wonderful city.”
- Matt Coleman III, Guard, Ottawa BlackJacks Basketball Club
“Coleman III had an exceptional career at the University of Texas at Austin. We like his leadership and his winning attitude. The time spent between the NBA G League and European leagues will allow him to transition and impact our team immensely.”
- Jevohn Shepherd, General Manager and Vice-President of Basketball Operations, Ottawa BlackJacks Basketball Club
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About the Ottawa BlackJacks
The first expansion franchise of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the Ottawa BlackJacks showcase the best of basketball and entertainment in the nation’s capital. Having recently completed its third season, the BlackJacks have reached the championship semifinals three times. The Ottawa front office brings NBA, NBA G League, national team, NCAA and major international pro league experience to the franchise. Led by General Manager and Vice-President, Basketball Operations Jevohn Shepherd, Ottawa plays its home games out of the world-class Arena at TD Place in Lansdowne Park. For more information visit www.theblackjacks.ca.
About Canadian Elite Basketball League
A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 71 percent of its 2022 rosters being Canadian. TSN, Canada's sports leader, is the official broadcast partner of the league. Players bring experience from the NBA, NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, and top NCAA programs as well as U SPORTS. Nine players have moved from the CEBL into the NBA following a CEBL season, and 28 CEBL players attended NBA G League training camps during October. The CEBL season runs from May through August. More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook & YouTube.