Former Duke basketball forward Matthew Hurt is set to embark on a new chapter in his professional career as he heads to Australia for his fourth season as a pro.
Nearly three years after going undrafted following his sophomore season at Duke in 2021, Hurt made his NBA debut last season with the Memphis Grizzlies under 10-day contracts. The 6-foot-9, 235-pound sharpshooter appeared in eight games, averaging 4.0 points and 2.0 rebounds in 14.1 minutes per game.
With no assurance of further NBA opportunities next season, the 24-year-old stretch-four and former five-star McDonald’s All-American from Minnesota has decided to take his talents overseas for the first time. This week, Australia’s National Basketball League announced Hurt’s one-year deal with the South East Melbourne Phoenix.
Before foregoing his remaining eligibility at Duke, Hurt earned recognition as the ACC Most Improved Player and an All-ACC First Team selection, despite the 2020-21 Duke squad finishing 13-11 and missing the NCAA Tournament.
Hurt has spent the past three seasons playing for the Memphis Hustle in the G League. Despite battling several injuries, he has consistently delivered impressive performances. Last season, Hurt averaged career-highs with 20.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks across 22 appearances with the Hustle.
Leave a Reply