Matt Shanahan (17 year NBL pro) on being a role player in the NBL
July 19, 2020
Matt Scalzi
- Nationality: AUS
- Date of Birth: 19/03/74
- Place of Birth: Adelaide (SA)
- Position: G/F
- Height (CM): 201
- Weight (KG): 86
- Junior Assoc: SA - West Adelaide
- College: None
- NBL DEBUT: 28/05/94
- AGE AT DEBUT: 20
- LAST NBL GAME: 7/10/97
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 23
- NBL History: Adelaide 1994-95 | Geelong 1996 | Canberra 1997
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Matt Scalzi was born in Adelaide (SA) and began playing basketball as a junior with the West Adelaide basketball program. Scalzi received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 1992. He spent two years year there and played for the program’s state league team (1992, 1993).
NBL EXPERIENCE
Matt Scalzi made his NBL debut with the Adelaide 36ers at 20 years of age. He scored two points in his first game.
In 1994, Scalzi averaged 1.8 points, 0 rebounds, and 0.3 assists as the 36ers finished with a record of 18-8 and in second place during the regular season.
1995
Scalzi struggled to see court time in 1995, averaging 0 points, 0.5 rebounds, and 0.3 assists as the team finished in sixth place finish with a 17-9 record.
GEELONG SUPERCATS
1996
1996 would see coach Jim Calvin replaced by up-and-coming coach Ian Stacker, with the team overhauling its roster. Major moves included securing Rupert Sapwell (via South East Melbourne) and Matt Scalzi (via Adelaide) to fill the departures of David Graham and Justin Cass, and bringing in powerhouse import Ray Owes to replace Jeff Arnold. Owes was joined by returning guard Joey Wright, who was injured after just two games and replaced by high-scoring Orlando Williams.
Matt Scalzi played all 26 games for the Supercats and contributed consistently across the season, averaging (9.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists) while also tallying 1.0 steals and 0.4 blocks per game. After opening the year with 13 points and 5 rebounds in his debut against Newcastle on April 13, Scalzi posted double-digit scoring in seven of his next twelve appearances, including 12 points against South East Melbourne on May 25 (3-of-7 FG, 3-of-5 3PT, 3-of-4 FT) and 11 points with 6 assists on June 28 against Adelaide.
His finest all-around outing came on August 18 in a high-scoring 122–112 loss to Adelaide, where Scalzi delivered a double-double with 19 points and 14 rebounds (8-of-12 FG, 2-of-4 3PT), marking a career-best effort. A week later, he added 12 points, 2 rebounds, and 5 assists in the team’s final home win—a 131–93 demolition of the Gold Coast Rollers on September 21. That night, Ray Owes led with 33 points and 26 rebounds, while Orlando Williams tallied 32 points and 7 assists. The win marked the last NBL victory in Geelong franchise history, with Gold Coast—also facing league departure—falling behind early and never recovering. The Rollers were paced by Chad McClendon and Trevor Torrance, who each posted 20 points.
In Geelong’s thrilling 119–116 road loss to Townsville on August 24, Scalzi played 33:50 and added 3 points and 6 rebounds, while Simon Kerle scored 24, and Orlando Williams poured in 32 points with 4 rebounds. Ray Owes had one of the most dominant performances in league history that night, erupting for 40 points (15-of-24 FG, 10-of-17 FT), 22 rebounds (11 offensive), 4 blocks, 3 assists, and 2 steals. The following night against the Gold Coast on August 25, Scalzi again hit the floor as Owes backed it up with 33 points and 8 rebounds.
Scalzi closed out the season with an efficient 17-point performance (5-of-12 FG, 2-of-7 3PT, 5-of-5 FT) in Geelong’s final NBL game—a 100–94 loss to the Sydney Kings on September 28. He added 4 rebounds and 2 assists in 39 minutes. Despite standout efforts from Rupert Sapwell (23 points, 12 rebounds) and Simon Kerle (20 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists), the Kings were led to victory by Shane Heal (25 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals) and Isaac Burton (25 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals).
Ray Owes stood out as one of the league’s most dominant frontcourt players, averaging (22.2 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists) across 25 games and earning All-NBL First Team honours.
Despite the influx of talent, the Supercats endured a difficult campaign, finishing 13th with a 6–20 record and ultimately handing back their NBL licence at season’s end due to financial strain and league restructuring.
Scalzi’s role as a glue guy and defensive contributor made him an essential piece alongside the team’s key scorers. He rounded out a core that included Orlando Williams (23.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists), Simon Kerle (17.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 5.2 assists), Ray Owes (22.2 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists), and Rupert Sapwell (11.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.1 assists). While the Supercats’ 1996 campaign marked the end of an era, Scalzi’s reliable contributions ensured he was one of the more consistent performers in their final year.
CANBERRA CANNONS
1997
During the 1997 season Scalzi averaged 2.9 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 0.6 assists and helped the Cannons finish with a record of 15-15 and end the regular season in fifth place.
Matt Scalzi played four seasons across three NBL teams. This included the Adelaide 36ers, Geelong Supercats and Canberra Cannons. He averaged 5.4 points, 2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 65 NBL games.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 23 | Canberra | 15-15 (5) | 33 | 340.0 | 97 | 37 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 11 | 3 | 18 | 29 | 33 | 97 | 34% | 7 | 39 | 18% | 24 | 40 | 60% | 42% | 38% | 12 |
| 1996 | 22 | Geelong | 6-20 (13) | 26 | 787.0 | 252 | 98 | 48 | 44 | 54 | 27 | 11 | 40 | 89 | 87 | 190 | 46% | 34 | 98 | 35% | 44 | 59 | 75% | 58% | 55% | 19 |
| 1995 | 21 | Adelaide | 17-9 (6) | 2 | 17.0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0 | |
| 1994 | 20 | Adelaide | 18-8 (2) | 4 | 18.0 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 25% | 1 | 3 | 33% | 4 | 4 | 100% | 59% | 0% | 3 | Totals | 65 | 1162 | 356 | 136 | 72 | 64 | 72 | 38 | 14 | 59 | 123 | 121 | 292 | 41.4% | 42 | 141 | 29.8% | 72 | 103 | 69.9% | 53% | 49% | 19 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 23 | Canberra | 15-15 (5) | 33 | 10.3 | 2.9 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 2.9 | 34% | 0.2 | 1.2 | 18% | 0.7 | 1.2 | 60% | 42% | 38% | 12 |
| 1996 | 22 | Geelong | 6-20 (13) | 26 | 30.3 | 9.7 | 3.8 | 1.8 | 1.7 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 1.5 | 3.4 | 3.3 | 7.3 | 46% | 1.3 | 3.8 | 35% | 1.7 | 2.3 | 75% | 58% | 55% | 19 |
| 1995 | 21 | Adelaide | 17-9 (6) | 2 | 8.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0 |
| 1994 | 20 | Adelaide | 18-8 (2) | 4 | 4.5 | 1.8 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 25% | 0.3 | 0.8 | 33% | 1.0 | 1.0 | 100% | 59% | 0% | 3 | Total | 65 | 17.9 | 5.5 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 4.5 | 41.4% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 29.8% | 0.6 | 2.2 | 69.9% | 53% | 49% | 19 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 19 | 14 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
|---|
STATE LEAGUE EXPERIENCE
- AIS 1992-93 | North East Melbourne 1998 | Sandringham 2002
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