Professional Career
Matthews went undrafted in the 2009 NBA Draft, but was invited to play for the Utah Jazz and the Sacramento Kings in the NBA Summer Leagues.
On September 25, 2009, he was signed to the Utah Jazz to a one year deal as a rookie free agent. On October 22, 2009, Matthews made the official Utah Jazz roster, wearing the number 23. In February 2010, after the team's trade of Ronnie Brewer, Head Coach Jerry Sloan made Matthews the team's starting shooting guard.
On June 28, 2010, the Jazz extended Matthews the league-specified qualifying offer, thereby making him a restricted free agent and giving the Jazz the opportunity to match any other free agent offer. Matthews was actively pursued by the Portland Trail Blazers, who on July 10 signed him to an offer sheet providing for a front-loaded 5 year, $34 million contract. Although allowed seven days to match the Portland offer sheet under league rules, on July 14 the Jazz announced their decision not to offer Matthews a matching contract, making Matthews a Portland Trail Blazer. In his first season with Portland he averaged 15.9 points a game. His three point shot improved from 38 percent to 41 percent. After Brandon Roy began missing time due to knee problems, Matthews gained a spot in the Blazers' starting lineup.
Read more about this topic: Wesley Matthews
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—Anonymous, U.S. professional woman. As quoted in Aspirations and Mentoring in an Academic Environment, ch. 4, by Mary Niles Maack and Joanne Passet (1994)
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