Milwaukee Bucks guard Wesley Matthews has been a three-point shooting star throughout his long NBA career

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Madison native and former Marquette star Wesley Matthews is looking to win his first NBA championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in his second stint with the franchise.

Here's more about Matthews.

How long has Wesley Matthews been in the NBA?

This is Matthews' 13th NBA season.

Has Matthews played for other NBA teams?

Yes, he has played for six other NBA teams. After going undrafted, Matthews played his first season with the Utah Jazz (2009-10). He then spent the next five seasons with the Portland Trailblazers where he became known for his durability and his three-point shooting.

He parlayed his success in Portland into a four-year, $70 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks. Matthews was traded to the New York Knicks in late January 2019. He was released after just two games there. The Indiana Pacers signed him for the rest of the season.

He then joined the Bucks for the 2019-20 season, a year in which he helped the team have the NBA's best record before the league shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Bucks lost in the second round of the playoffs that year when the NBA resumed play in the Orlando bubble. Matthews played in 58 games with the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2020-21 season. Without a team at the start of the 2021-22 season, the Bucks signed Matthews in early December.

What's Matthews' contract?

Matthews is playing on a one-year contract worth nearly $2 million, according to Spotrac.com, an online sports contract database.

Milwaukee Bucks guard Wesley Matthews celebrates a three-pointer with 30 seconds left to give the Bucks their first lead of the game, 114-113, in their Christmas Day game against the Boston Celtics at Fiserv Forum. The Bucks went on to win, 117-113.

What’s Matthews known for?

His three-pointing shooting and defense.

While his shooting beyond the arc has dipped in recent years and his three-point makes and attempts have dropped significantly from his numbers earlier in his career when he made nearly three a game while in Portland, Matthews can still deliver from long range. He made the go-ahead three-pointer during the Bucks' Christmas Day comeback against the Celtics this season.

He'll also be tasked in the playoffs with defending some of the game's top offensive players around the perimeter. Matthews has been working with former Marquette women's basketball star turned personal trainer Erin Monfre to stay agile.

He has also recently moved into the Bucks' starting lineup after coming off the bench for most of the regular season.

How tall is Matthews?

6-foot-5

How old is Matthews?

35 years old

Wesley Matthews, who played high school basketball at Madison Memorial and starred at Marquette from 2005-09, is in his second stint with the Milwaukee Bucks.

What are Matthews' stats from this season?

5.1 points per game, 1.9 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.5 steals, 0.2 blocks, 39.5% field goal, 33.8% three point, 78.6% free throw (49 games).

What are Matthews' career stats?

12.2 points per game, 2.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.2 blocks, 42.1% field goal, 37.7% three-point, 82.4% free throw (898 games).

What's Matthews' nickname?

Iron Man (he even wore an Iron Man mask before a playoff game in Portland!)

Who's Wesley Matthews' family?

Wesley's father, Wesley Sr., spent nine years in the NBA and several more playing professionally in other leagues. He won two championships with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Both his dad and mother, Pam, played college basketball at the University of Wisconsin. Pam also starred on the track and field team, where she earned All-American honors. Wesley was raised by his mother.

Matthews has a young daughter.

Wesley Matthews played five seasons with the Portland Trailblazers where at the time he became the franchise's all-time three-pointer leader. He has since been surpassed in made three pointers by Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum.

Other facts about Wesley Matthews in high school, at Marquette and in the NBA

- Matthews earned Wisconsin Mr. Basketball in 2005 and led Madison Memorial to the Division 1 state championship that year. He scored a game-high 29 points in the title game against a Marcus Landry-led Milwaukee Vincent squad.

- He set a Marquette single-season record for free throws made in 2008-09 (213), a mark that was broken 10 years later by Markus Howard (227). His 1,119 minutes played during the 2008-09 season are still top 5 all-time.

- When he left Portland he was the franchise's all-time leader in three-pointers made and attempted (he is now third behind Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum). He's also top 10 in those three-point categories in Dallas Mavericks franchise history.

Contact Christopher Kuhagen at 262-446-6634 or at christopher.kuhagen@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ckuhagen and our newsroom Instagram accounts at MyCommunityNow and Lake Country Now.