Garrison Mathews Bio
Garrison Mathews (born October 24, 1996) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). An undrafted player from Lipscomb University, Mathews has built a steady NBA career through his elite three-point shooting ability and reliable perimeter scoring. He earned Atlantic Sun Player of the Year honors in 2019 after a record-setting collegiate career with the Lipscomb Bisons.
Early Life and Background
Garrison Mathews was born in Franklin, Tennessee, where he attended Franklin High School. At Franklin, Mathews was a dual-sport athlete, competing in both basketball and football. His athletic versatility and competitive drive shaped his development as a future professional athlete. After high school, Mathews chose to continue his academic and athletic career at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee.
Path to Professional Basketball
Mathews arrived at Lipscomb University in 2015 and immediately dedicated himself to basketball, transitioning away from football for the first time in his athletic career. He rapidly developed into one of the most prolific scorers in program history, eventually setting the school’s Division I-era records for single-game scoring, career scoring, and three-pointers made. His work ethic and dedication to improving his craft caught the attention of NBA scouts throughout his college years.
As a junior at Lipscomb, Mathews led the Bisons to their first-ever NCAA tournament appearance. His senior season proved to be his best, as he dominated the Atlantic Sun Conference, earning Atlantic Sun Player of the Year honors and First-team All-Atlantic Sun recognition for the third consecutive year. In the 2019 NIT tournament, Mathews delivered back-to-back exceptional performances, scoring 44 points in the quarterfinals and 34 points in the semifinals to guide the Bisons to the championship game, where they ultimately fell to Texas. He averaged 20.8 points per game that season and finished his collegiate career with 2,478 total points.
Garrison Mathews Career
Washington Wizards (2019–2021)
Despite a productive college career, Mathews went undrafted in the 2019 NBA draft. He signed a two-way contract with the Washington Wizards, which allowed him to split time between the NBA team and its G League affiliate, the Capital City Go-Go. On October 23, 2019, Mathews made his NBA debut, playing one minute off the bench in a loss to the Dallas Mavericks. He quickly showcased his scoring ability, recording a career-high 28 points on December 30, 2019, in a win over the Miami Heat.
Houston Rockets Breakthrough (2021–2023)
Mathews began the 2021 season with the Boston Celtics, signing with the team on September 28, 2021. He was waived at the end of training camp but was claimed off waivers by the Houston Rockets on October 18, 2021. The Rockets converted his two-way deal into a standard four-year, $8.2 million contract on December 18, 2021, a significant milestone that rewarded his consistent performance and established him as a rotation player in the league.
Atlanta Hawks Era (2023–Present)
On February 9, 2023, Mathews was traded to the Atlanta Hawks as part of a multi-player deal involving Justin Holiday, Frank Kaminsky, and future draft picks. He appeared in nine games for the Hawks that season, averaging 4.8 points per game. During the 2023–24 NBA season, Mathews played 66 games with five starts, contributing 4.9 points per game while serving as a reliable floor spacer and three-point shooting option off the bench. In the 2024–25 season, Mathews continued his role with Atlanta, appearing in 47 games and averaging 7.5 points per game, showing improved scoring efficiency in his increased minutes.
Driving Style and Strengths
Mathews is primarily known for his three-point shooting ability, which has become his calling card at the NBA level. He excels as a spot-up shooter and floor spacer, consistently ranking among the league’s more efficient three-point percentage shooters during his career. His shooting gravity creates driving lanes for teammates and opens up the offensive flow. Mathews also contributes in transition and has developed into a capable secondary ball handler when needed.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Mathews’ most notable career moments are his 28-point performance against the Miami Heat in December 2019 and his extraordinary 44-point outburst in the 2019 NIT quarterfinals during his senior year at Lipscomb. The NIT tournament run showcased his ability to deliver in high-pressure situations, as he averaged over 30 points across four tournament games to lead the Bisons to the championship game. His journey from undrafted free agent to guaranteed contract player demonstrates his persistence and ability to earn opportunities through performance.
Garrison Mathews Career Wins
Mathews has established himself as a productive rotation player across four NBA seasons with three different franchises. While NBA championships remain ahead of him, his collegiate career included significant championship-level performances, including a historic NIT tournament run in 2019.
College Highlights
Mathews’ most decorated accomplishments came during his four seasons at Lipscomb University from 2015 to 2019. He was named Atlantic Sun Player of the Year in 2019 and earned First-team All-Atlantic Sun honors in each of his final three seasons. His 2,478 career points established a school record for the Division I era. The highlight of his collegiate career came during the 2019 NIT, where his 44-point and 34-point performances in consecutive games propelled Lipscomb to the tournament championship game for the first time in program history.
Other Wins and Performances
In his NBA career spanning over 200 games with the Wizards, Rockets, and Hawks, Mathews has maintained his reputation as a three-point shooting specialist. His most productive professional season came with the Houston Rockets, where his improved scoring output and eventual guaranteed contract validated his persistence in earning a permanent NBA role. His consistency as a perimeter shooter has made him a valuable depth piece for every team he has joined.
Garrison Mathews Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Garrison Mathews’ family background is limited. He was born and raised in Franklin, Tennessee, where he attended Franklin High School and developed as a dual-sport athlete before focusing on basketball at Lipscomb.
Personal Life
Mathews maintains a presence on social media, where he shares glimpses of his professional career and personal interests. He continues to represent the legacy of Tennessee basketball players who have successfully transitioned from college to the professional ranks. His journey from an undrafted free agent to a multi-year NBA contract holder serves as an example of persistence and development in the competitive professional basketball landscape.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024–25 NBA season represents a significant chapter in Garrison Mathews’ professional career with the Atlanta Hawks. He appeared in 47 games, averaging 7.5 points per game while continuing to serve as a key three-point shooting option off the bench. His scoring average marked a notable improvement from the previous season, reflecting his continued adaptation to the Hawks’ offensive system and his ability to contribute consistently when given opportunities. Mathews’ 1.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game demonstrated his expanding role as a complementary player capable of making plays beyond his primary scoring function.
The Hawks competed throughout the 2024–25 season aiming for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference. Mathews’ contributions as a floor spacer proved valuable in a Hawks rotation that featured several young offensive players. The team sought to build momentum heading into the postseason, with Mathews’ veteran experience and shooting reliability providing stability for a squad looking to secure a playoff berth.
Looking ahead, Mathews remains focused on continuing his NBA career and expanding his contributions on both ends of the floor. His ability to space the floor and knock down perimeter shots keeps him relevant in a league that values three-point shooting. As he progresses through his career, Mathews aims to increase his impact and establish himself as a consistent rotation player capable of helping any team he joins compete for postseason success.