BIO: Matt Garrison was born in Alexandria, Minnesota (USA). Garrison was one of Montana’s preeminent big men in the early 1990s, winning the Gatorade Player of the Year award as a senior in 1992. As a 6-foot-8 forward out of Billings Senior, Garrison signed with Montana State.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Matt Garrison made his NBL debut with the Wollongong Hawks at 26 years of age. He scored 24 points in his first game.

After a disappointing playoff campaign where the Hawks lost four straight postseason games, Wollongong entered the 1999/00 season eager to reestablish themselves as a contender. The offseason saw several key roster changes, with the departure of promising big man David Andersen to Europe and the addition of veteran players Mike McKay (via Canberra) and Darren Perry. Perry, who had spent the past five years playing in the state league, was encouraged by coach Brendan Joyce to return to the NBL and provide leadership to the young roster.

The team also opted for a fresh import combination, deciding not to re-sign Theron Wilson (to Europe) and Clayton Ritter (to Canberra). Instead, the Hawks signed former NBA lottery pick Todd Mundt (via Newcastle) and brought back former Hawks MVP Melvin Thomas, who had spent the past four seasons with Sydney and Canberra. Another key move saw Mat Campbell (14.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists) named team captain, a position he would hold for more than a decade.

With high-scoring guard CJ Bruton (22.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists) settling into his second season with the team, the Hawks appeared to have a strong roster on paper. However, the team struggled to compete with the NBL’s top clubs, largely due to Mundt’s inability to produce at a high level. Despite showing glimpses of potential, Mundt (8.8 points and 4.9 rebounds) failed to provide the interior presence the Hawks needed. With nine games left in the season, Wollongong decided to release him and seek a mid-season replacement.

That replacement was Matt Garrison, who joined the team late in the season and immediately made an impact. Garrison provided a much-needed inside presence, averaging (17.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.4 assists) per game. His ability to score in the paint and crash the boards gave the Hawks a stronger frontcourt, but his arrival ultimately came too late to turn the season around. Despite his efforts, Wollongong limped to an eighth-place finish with an (11-17) record, failing to qualify for the playoffs.

Melvin Thomas (19.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists) and Glen Saville (14.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists) were standouts throughout the season and were voted as co-MVPs for their performances. Campbell (14.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists) was another key contributor, while veteran McKay (5.5 points and 1.9 rebounds) and Perry (1.9 points and 0.8 rebounds) provided leadership despite limited roles.

Although Wollongong’s struggles meant the season ended in disappointment, Garrison’s late-season performances were a silver lining. His versatility, work ethic, and ability to contribute on both ends of the floor led the Hawks to re-sign him for the 2000/01 season.

2000/01
Prior to the start of the 2000/01 season, coach Brendan Joyce made significant changes to the Wollongong Hawks’ roster, bringing in Axel Dench, Charles Thomas, Damon Lowery, Grant Kruger, Matt Shanahan, and veteran Ray Borner. The new additions bolstered the team’s depth and versatility, helping set the foundation for what would become their most successful season in franchise history.

The Hawks’ offensive attack was one of the most balanced in the league, with six players averaging double figures in scoring. This depth made them a tough team to defend, as they challenged powerhouse squads that relied heavily on star duos. The team was led by Melvin Thomas (19.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.2 steals), Charles Thomas (16.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.6 steals), and Glen Saville (15.5 points, 9.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.1 blocks), who remained the heart of the team.

Comfortable at forward or centre, Matt Garrison (11.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists) would miss eight games across the season, but provided an inside presence that complemented the Hawks’ balanced attack when he was on the floor.

He added valuable support alongside Axel Dench (13.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks), who went on to win the NBL Rookie of the Year award. Other key contributors included veteran guard Damon Lowery (13.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.4 steals) and sharpshooter Mat Campbell (12.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.1 steals).

Wollongong finished the regular season tied with Perth at 21-7 but placed fourth after losing the head-to-head tiebreaker. The Hawks thrived in clutch situations, posting a perfect 12-0 record in games decided by three points or fewer. Their ability to win away from home was equally impressive, as they finished with a league-best 12-2 road record.

Despite their strong season, no Hawks player was named to the All-NBL First or Second Team, highlighting the team’s emphasis on collective play rather than individual stardom. In a league where superstar duos like Andrew Gaze & Mark Bradtke (Melbourne), Ricky Grace & Paul Rogers (Perth), and Darnell Mee & Brett Maher (Adelaide) dominated, Wollongong’s team-first mentality proved to be their biggest strength.

In the playoffs, the Hawks faced Perth in the qualifying finals and secured a 97-90 victory in Game 1 at WIN Entertainment Centre. The win was powered by Melvin Thomas (22 points and 13 rebounds), Damon Lowery (19 points), Glen Saville (12 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists), and Mat Campbell (10 points and 5 rebounds).

Game 2 in Perth saw Wollongong struggle to contain the Wildcats’ offensive firepower, resulting in a 95-106 loss. Axel Dench had difficulty getting going offensively, finishing with 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks.

Wollongong responded in Game 3 with a stunning upset in Perth (98-88), securing their first-ever playoff series victory. Glen Saville (26 points and 16 rebounds) and Lowery (20 points) leading the way offensively as the Hawks shocked the Wildcats on their home floor.

Wollongong advanced to the semifinals against Adelaide, where they secured a hard-fought 84-83 victory in Game 1—marking their first win in Adelaide since 1990. The Hawks were led by Melvin Thomas (18 points and 13 rebounds) and Charles Thomas (17 points and 6 rebounds), while Glen Saville (13 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists) provided crucial all-around contributions.

The series shifted to Wollongong for Game 2, where Adelaide bounced back with a 111-100 victory. Despite strong efforts from Mat Campbell (14 points) and another double-double from Saville (15 points and 10 rebounds), Wollongong was unable to contain the 36ers’ offense.

Game 3 at WIN Entertainment Centre would go down as one of the most controversial moments in NBL history. With Adelaide leading 108-106 in the final seconds, Damon Lowery launched a three-point attempt that was blocked by Darnell Mee. However, the officials called a foul, sending Lowery to the free-throw line with no time left on the clock. With everything on the line, Lowery calmly sank all three free throws, completing a dramatic 109-108 victory and sending Wollongong to their first-ever NBL Grand Final.

In the championship series against Townsville, the Hawks opened with a 104-101 victory at WIN Entertainment Centre. Melvin Thomas (24 points, 14 rebounds, and 2 assists) led the way, while Mat Campbell contributed 19 points.

The series then moved to Townsville for Game 2, where the Crocodiles responded with a commanding 114-97 win, shutting down Wollongong’s offense. The Hawks were unable to match Townsville’s energy, setting up a decisive Game 3.

Game 3, played on back-to-back nights, turned into a grueling battle. The Hawks dug deep to grind out a hard-fought 97-94 victory, securing their first NBL championship. Charles Thomas (23 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Melvin Thomas (18 points and 12 rebounds) delivered crucial performances, while Glen Saville (18 points and 12 rebounds) claimed NBL Finals MVP honors. Mat Campbell also played an important role in the win, scoring 10 points and grabbing 3 rebounds.

Wollongong’s historic triumph made them the first New South Wales team to win an NBL title, cementing their legacy in league history. Brendan Joyce was recognized as NBL Coach of the Year for orchestrating the team’s remarkable championship run, while Axel Dench capped off an impressive rookie campaign by winning NBL Rookie of the Year honors.

CAIRNS TAIPANS
2001/02
After winning the 2001 NBL championship with Wollongong, Matt Garrison became a highly sought-after free agent. The Hawks were unable to retain him after he received a lucrative offer from the Cairns Taipans. However, Garrison’s time in Cairns was short-lived, as the Taipans struggled to a 3-7 start. In an effort to improve and likely ease the financial strain of his contract, the team released him after just 10 games and replaced him with high-scoring forward Jayson Wells, who had finished sixth in league scoring while playing for Canberra in the 1999/00 season.

ADELAIDE 36ERS
2001/02
Garrison’s stint as a free agent was short-lived, as he was swiftly picked up by the Adelaide 36ers, a team competing with only one import, Willie Farley. Adelaide, led by captain Brett Maher and coached by Phil Smyth, had been one of the most successful franchises in recent years and saw Garrison as a key addition to their frontcourt. The move paid off, with Garrison (10.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game) playing in the team’s final 26 games and providing solid production, helping Adelaide finish the regular season in third place with a 17-13 record.

Farley (25.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists) was the league’s second-leading scorer behind Brisbane’s Randy Rutherford, while Maher (21.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.8 assists) provided leadership and perimeter scoring. The frontcourt trio of Garrison, David Stiff (12.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists), and veteran big man Paul Rees (10.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists) gave Adelaide the size, skill, and depth needed to mount a serious championship run.

Adelaide’s playoff campaign began with a dominant sweep of Garrison’s former team, Wollongong, in the Qualifying Finals. The 36ers stunned the defending champions with a 107-90 victory at WIN Entertainment Centre before closing out the series at home with a 101-95 win.

In the semifinals, the 36ers faced the Victoria Titans in a hard-fought three-game series. Adelaide took Game 1 on the road with a 99-92 win before the Titans responded with an 86-81 victory in Adelaide to force a deciding Game 3. The 36ers handled the pressure at home, securing a 103-92 win to book their place in the Grand Final.

The Grand Final series saw Adelaide take on the West Sydney Razorbacks, who were making their first-ever Grand Final appearance. In Game 1, Garrison made an immediate impact, scoring 15 points and grabbing 4 rebounds in a 106-97 victory at Adelaide Arena. The Razorbacks fought back in Game 2 with a narrow 103-100 win at the State Sports Centre, setting up a decisive Game 3 back in Adelaide.

With the championship on the line, the 36ers delivered one of the most dominant performances in NBL Grand Final history, shooting a record-breaking 19-of-31 from three-point range (61.2%) to secure a 125-107 victory. Garrison played a key role, contributing 15 points and 6 rebounds in the championship-clinching win. Maher was named Grand Final MVP, becoming only the second player in NBL history to win the award twice, as Adelaide celebrated its fourth NBL title.

With back-to-back NBL championships—one with Wollongong in 2001 and another with Adelaide in 2002—Garrison became the first player in league history to win consecutive titles with two different teams. His ability to adapt and contribute to a championship squad twice in a row solidified his reputation as a valuable role player in the league.

WOLLONGONG HAWKS
2002/03
The Hawks entered the 2002/03 NBL season aiming to build on their success from the previous year. Head coach Brendan Joyce, along with co-captains Glen Saville and Mat Campbell, oversaw key roster changes in the offseason. Import Charles Thomas departed, and the Hawks signed Cortez Groves as his replacement. Additionally, import forward Matt Garrison (via Adelaide) returned the club he helped guide to a championship two years prior..

Garrison played a crucial role in the Hawks’ frontcourt, providing versatility on both ends of the floor. Across 24 games, he averaged 11.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists, adding size and defensive toughness to the team’s rotation. His rebounding presence was particularly valuable alongside veteran big men Melvin Thomas (14.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists) and Axel Dench (8.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists). With Garrison’s contributions, Wollongong secured an 18-12 record, finishing in fourth place and qualifying for the playoffs.

The Hawks were led offensively by new addition Cortez Groves (19.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists), while Glen Saville (15.9 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 4.0 assists) continued to be the team’s all-around leader. Saville was named the Hawks’ MVP and also claimed the NBL Best Defensive Player award, further solidifying his reputation as one of the league’s premier defenders. Other key contributors included Mat Campbell (11.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.0 assists) and Damon Lowery (11.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 4.9 assists).

Wollongong faced Townsville in the qualifying finals and secured a hard-fought 2-0 series sweep. In Game 1 at WIN Entertainment Centre, the Hawks defeated the Crocodiles 97-87 in front of 4,391 fans. Garrison made an impact in the win, contributing on both ends of the floor. In Game 2, played in Townsville, the Hawks held on for a narrow 102-101 victory, clinching their place in the semifinals.

However, the Hawks’ playoff run came to an abrupt end in the semifinals against Perth. In Game 1, the Wildcats overpowered Wollongong at WIN Entertainment Centre, securing a dominant 121-90 victory in front of 5,479 home fans. The series moved to Challenge Stadium, where Perth completed the sweep with a 113-84 win, eliminating the Hawks from the postseason.

Matt Garrison played five seasons in the NBL. He averaged 11.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 106 NBL games.

Dan Boyce (832 Posts)

Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.