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.

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CANBERRA CANNONS
1997

Following their 1996 semifinal appearance, Canberra reshaped its roster when Darnell Mee (to France), David Close, Nick Proud and John Gladwin departed. Mee had battled a serious knee injury during the previous season and was not brought back, while head coach Brett Flanigan retained Robert Rose, Simon Dwight, Ray Borner, Chris Blakemore, Jamie Pearlman, Brendan Mann and Troy Pilon before signing former Sydney import Mario Donaldson and adding Matt Scalzi (via Geelong), Paul Denman and Daniel Richardson. Scalzi joined Canberra after playing every game for Geelong in 1996, with the Supercats selling their NBL licence back to the league following their final NBL season.

Canberra opened the season against North Melbourne at the AIS Arena on April 12, where Scalzi (3 points and 1 rebound) played seven minutes from the bench. Donaldson (34 points, 2 rebounds, and 5 assists) made 13-of-21 field goals in his Cannons debut, while Rose (18 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Dwight (11 points, 19 rebounds, 4 steals, and 3 blocks) provided support, but Darryl McDonald (27 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals) led the Giants to a 97-83 win.

After averaging 9.7 points in 30.3 minutes per game for Geelong the previous season, Scalzi (2.9 points across 33 games) moved into a smaller reserve role with Canberra and averaged 10.3 minutes per game. He appeared in every one of the Cannons’ 30 regular-season games and all three finals.

Scalzi (8 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) produced one of his strongest all-round games in Townsville on May 25, making 3-of-5 field goals in 19 minutes. Rose (34 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals) and Dwight (24 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks) led Canberra, but Townsville won 100-89.

Scalzi’s best game came against Wollongong at the AIS Arena on August 23, where Scalzi (12 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists) made 5-of-7 field goals in 19 minutes. Dwight (21 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, and 7 blocks) and Donaldson (13 points and 10 rebounds) provided support, but Wollongong escaped with a 96-93 win.

Rose (23 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.3 steals across 33 games) again led Canberra in scoring and playmaking and was selected to the All-NBL First Team, while Donaldson (18.9 points and 4.2 rebounds across 33 games) provided a second major scoring option. Dwight (16.5 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 4.3 blocks across 33 games) led the NBL in blocks and earned All-NBL Second Team honours, with Borner (9.3 points and 6 rebounds across 29 games), Pilon (7.3 points and 3.7 rebounds across 32 games), Mann (6.8 points across 33 games), Blakemore (6.7 points and 3.3 rebounds across 18 games) and Pearlman (4.9 points and 3.1 rebounds across 32 games) completing the main rotation.

Canberra closed the regular season with three consecutive victories, defeating Sydney 98-95 at the AIS Arena on September 27 to finish 15-15. The Cannons finished sixth, going 11-4 at home and 4-11 away, with Brisbane taking fifth place after both teams finished with identical records.

Canberra opened its quarterfinal series against third-placed North Melbourne at the AIS Arena, where Scalzi (5 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block) provided 10 minutes from the bench. Rose (22 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 steals) and Borner (18 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals) led Canberra, while Pat Reidy (25 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) and Andrew Goodwin (23 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists) led North Melbourne as the Cannons won 104-93.

Game two moved to Melbourne, where Scalzi (2 points and 2 assists) played 12 minutes as Donaldson (25 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists) and Dwight (17 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 blocks) led Canberra. Reidy (26 points) and McDonald (20 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals) helped North Melbourne respond with a 108-98 victory and force a deciding game three.

Game three remained in Melbourne, where Scalzi (6 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 1 steal) played 19 minutes. Rose (23 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists), Pilon (20 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Borner (12 points and 10 rebounds) led Canberra, while Reidy (20 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Mike Mitchell (17 points and 4 rebounds) led North Melbourne as the Giants won 102-75 and eliminated Canberra 2-1.

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	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	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	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	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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