Garrison Mathews may not be a household name just yet, but his journey to the NBA is nothing short of inspiring. After going undrafted in the 2019 NBA draft, Mathews worked tirelessly to earn his spot on an NBA roster.
With a nickname like “Gary Bird” and a reputation as a sharpshooter, Mathews quickly became a fan favorite during his time with the Washington Wizards.
Now a member of the Atlanta Hawks, Mathews continues to prove that hard work and dedication can lead to success at the highest level of basketball.
In this article, we’ll look closer at the life and career of this rising star in the NBA. So stick with us to the end. Before that, here are some quick facts about the player!
Quick Facts
Full Name | Garrison Mathews |
Nick Name | Gary Bird |
Date of Birth | October 24, 1996 |
Age | 28 Years Old |
Birth Place | Franklin, Tennessee, USA |
Nationality | American |
Ethnicity | White |
Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
Height | 6 feet 6 inches / 1.98 m |
Weight | 215 lbs / 98 kg |
High School | Franklin High School |
University | Lipscomb University |
Father’s Name | Rob Mathews |
Mother’s Name | Jane Mathews |
Siblings | 2 (one older sister and one older brother) |
Girlfriend | Lexi Wertz |
Religion | Christianity |
Profession | Basketball Player |
Position | Shooting Guard |
League | NBA |
Team | Atlanta Hawks (2022-present) |
Jersey Number | 25 |
Tattoos | Yes |
NBA Draft | Undrafted (2019) |
Highlights & Awards |
|
Net Worth | $1 Million (approx.) |
Salary (Average) | $2.05 Million |
Social Media | Instagram, Twitter |
Merch | Not Available |
Last Update | November 2024 |
Early Life & Family
Garrison Mathews was born on October 24, 1996, in Franklin, Tennessee, in the United States of America. His father’s name is Rob Mathews, and his mother’s name is Jane Mathews.
Garrison Mathews took to Instagram on July 8, 2017, to share some exciting news about his mother’s life. In a heartfelt post, he expressed his love and admiration for her, revealing that she has found someone special to spend her life with.
Garrison has two older siblings and is the youngest in the family. He has one older sister, Juliet Mathews, and one older brother, Braden Mathews.
Garrison’s grandfather was also an athlete and played football on Ole Miss’ 1962 National Championship team.
Age, Height & More
The Hawks’ shooting guard is 28 years old as of 2024.
The player has a height of 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) and a weight of 215 pounds (98 kg).
Education & College Basketball
Garrison Mathews attended Franklin High School in Franklin, Tennessee, where he played both basketball and football.
The player then went to Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, where he played college basketball for the Lipscomb Bisons. He graduated with a degree in interdisciplinary teaching in 2019.
Garrison became one of the top players in program history, setting the school’s Division I-era records in single-game scoring (43 points), career scoring (2,478 points), and three-pointers made (377).
Similarly, as a junior, he led the Bisons to their first NCAA tournament appearance in 20181. As a senior, he was named the ASUN Conference Player of the Year and led Lipscomb to the NIT championship game in 2019.
NBA Career & A Tour In G League
Undrafted in the 2019 NBA draft, Garrison Mathews signed a two-way contract with the Washington Wizards, splitting his time with its G League affiliate, Capital City Go-Go.
The Franklin, Tennessee-born made his NBA debut off the bench on October 23, 2019, in a 100-108 loss to the Mavericks.
Moreover, in his rookie year (2019-20), he scored his career-high 28 points as the Wizards won over the Heat.
Mathews’ other two-way contract kept him with the Wizards for the 2020-21 season.
He even made a post-season appearance in the 2021 NBA playoffs where the Wizards lost to the 76ers in the first round.
Following that season, after failing to convert his Exhibit 10 contract with the Celtics, he was claimed off the waivers by the Houston Rockets.
Garrison played the 2021-22 season with the Rockets as a two-way player for the team & its G League affiliate RGV Vipers.
Trade To Atlanta Hawks
Currently, Garrison Mathews is a backup shooting guard in the Atlanta Hawks’ rotation.
In the midst of the 2022-23 season, having played 45 games for the Houston Rockets, he was traded to the Hawks along with Bruno Fernando.
In return, the Rockets acquired Justin Holiday, Frank Kaminsky & draft pick options for 2024 & 2025.
A Fine Of $35,000 For An Altercation
Garrison Mathews’ involvement in an altercation with Sacramento Kings’ Malik Monk during a game on January 13, 2023, booked him a fine of $35,000.
In the match, when both were chasing a loose ball, there was a collision between the two.
Mathews taunted Monk after knocking him down, leading to a scuffle between the players and their teammates. As a result, the two were ejected from the game.
While Jalen Green and guard Jae’Sean Tate of the Rockets received a one-game suspension for leaving the bench, Monk was fined $25,000 for the unsportsmanlike conduct.
Another player of the Kings, Tari Eason was fined $30,000 for escalating the situation and making inadvertent contact with a referee.
Nickname
He got his nickname Gary Bird from his fans, who compared him to former Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird because of his volume 3-point shooting.
The nickname was also inspired by his previous moniker at Lipscomb University, where he was known as Garry Legend.
The nickname became popular on social media after a Texas A&M college student created a meme featuring Mathews and Bird.
Girlfriend & Relationship
Garrison Mathews who receives love from fans with his impressive games has also found love off the court! The player has been seen sharing cozy moments with his girlfriend, Lexi Wertz.
While Lexi keeps her social media private, Garrison posted a picture together on Instagram in December 2022 that had fans buzzed with excitement.
It’s clear that there’s something special between the two, as Lexi left a comment under the post saying, “I love you.” While we don’t know much about Lexi, one thing’s for sure – she’s captured Garrison’s heart.
Before his relationship with Lexi, there were rumors that Garrison was seeing Lindsey Nance, a traffic anchor for WSMV News4 Nashville.
It is alleged that the former duo first met during their time at Lipscomb University, where Garrison played basketball for the Bisons.
How Much Is Garrison Mathews’ Net Worth & Salary?
Having made his NBA debut in 2019, Mathews bagged a standard deal only after two seasons, i.e. in 2021. It’s only the start of his strive to rich contracts in the coming days.
As of 2024, Garrison Mathews has an estimated net worth of $1 million.
His current contract is the four-year Rest-of-Season contract worth $8.23 million, which he signed with the Houston Rockets on December 18, 2021. It includes a total guaranteed amount of $4 million.
It saw him a salary of $2 million in the 2021-22 season.
After Garrison’s trade to the Atlanta Hawks from Houston on February 9, 2023, the contract rights were transferred to the latter.
As a result, his total salary of $2 million for the 2022-23 season comes in part from both teams; the Rockets pay him $678K while the Hawks have to pay him $1.32 million.
Moreover, as per the contract, Mathews’ annual earnings for the next two seasons stand at $2 million and $2.23 million in the 2023-24 season & 2024-25 season.
Earlier, during his first two years in the NBA, he played on two-way contracts. On average, a two-way NBA player earns a salary of around $500K per season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What jersey number is Garrison Mathews?
Garrison wears jersey number 25 for the Atlanta Hawks.
Is Garrison dating Lindsey Nance?
Although rumors had it that the NBA player was previously dating Lindsey Nance, the player currently seems to be in a relationship with Lexi Wertz.