BIO: Born and raised in the Sydney suburb of Leonay. He played his junior basketball with the Penrith Basketball Association and attended St Marys Senior High School. Whilst still a high school student he arranged to leave school early three times a week to train with the Sydney Kings as a development player. Nielsen received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 1996. He spent one year there and played for the program’s state league team.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Matthew Nielsen made his NBL debut with the Sydney Kings at 17 years of age. He went scoreless in his first NBL game.

In the 1995 NBL season, the Sydney Kings aimed to bolster their roster by adding seasoned veterans to support their young talent. Notable additions included Phil Smyth (via Adelaide), Justin Withers (via Canberra), and import Bruce Bolden (via South East Melbourne). These acquisitions increased the team’s average starting lineup age from 28 to 31, indicating a strategic push for immediate success.​

The season commenced with a narrow 85–86 loss to Bolden’s former team, the South East Melbourne Magic. Throughout the season, the Kings showcased inconsistency, securing victories against top-tier teams while faltering against lower-ranked opponents. They achieved notable wins over the Perth Wildcats and North Melbourne Giants, who finished first and third respectively. However, they suffered defeats to teams like the Canberra Cannons (who finished tenth), Townsville Suns (twelfth), and Gold Coast Rollers (thirteenth). This inconsistency led to a 3–6 start to the season.​

Leon Trimmingham (27.5 points, 11.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 2.1 steals, and 2.2 blocks) led the team in most statistical categories. Bruce Bolden (20.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.3 steals) and captain Damian Keogh (14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.6 steals) were the teams other major contributors.

Despite these individual performances, the Kings concluded the season in tenth place with a 10–16 record, failing to secure a playoff berth.​

Matt Nielsen, a young talent for the Kings, made his NBL debut during this season. However, specific statistics regarding his contributions for the 1995 season are not readily available. Following this season, Nielsen moved to Canberra to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), furthering his development as a player.

1997
In 1997, Matthew Nielsen returned to the Sydney Kings and by mid-season had moved into the starting lineup. He played a key role for the Kings, who finished in tenth position during the regular season. At the end of the season, he was awarded the NBL Rookie of the Year Award.

A year into the Kings’ rebuilding process around Boomers guard Shane Heal, Sydney faced a major setback when Heal, following an outstanding 1996 Olympic campaign, signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves. To compensate for his departure, the Kings signed Aaron Trahair, an up-and-coming guard who had shown promise in Perth despite being behind legendary guard Ricky Grace. Additionally, Cameron Dickinson (via Townsville) was brought in to help cover the perimeter shooting lost with Heal’s absence.

The 1997 season was one of the most competitive in NBL history, with the league consolidating after the exit of Hobart, Geelong, and Gold Coast. The redistribution of talent made the competition fiercer than ever. Combined with the unexpected loss of Heal, the Kings struggled early, losing three of their first four games. Much of the offensive and playmaking burden fell on import Isaac Burton (20.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 3.0 steals), who led the team in scoring and topped the league in steals for the second consecutive year. Burton would produce a dominant performance against Illawarra, where he recorded 44 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, and seven steals, hitting 15 of 22 shots from the field in a 123–107 victory.

Melvin Thomas (18.9 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.6 steals) provided a strong presence in his second season with the Kings, leading the team in rebounds. Stephen Whitehead (12.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists) emerged as the team’s third-leading scorer. Nielsen (9.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.2 assists), who had been training with the Kings since 1995, became a regular part of the rotation, appearing in 29 games and making an impact with his consistent performances. His contributions earned him NBL Rookie of the Year honors.

Sydney would lose their final three games and finish with a 12–18 record, placing them second-last (tenth) on the ladder. The Kings failed to qualify for the playoffs.

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1998
Sydney Kings underwent significant changes in the 1998/99 season as the NBL transitioned from a winter to a summer schedule. The team lost Shane Heal, who departed for Near East in Greece, and long-time team captain Bruce Bolden, who joined the newly established West Sydney Razorbacks. Additionally, Brad Williams and Stephen Whitehead were not re-signed. To fill these gaps, Ben Castle (Brisbane) and Darren Smith (State League) were signed as replacements.

With key veterans gone, head coach Bill Tomlinson opted to rebuild around young local talent, particularly Matthew Nielsen and Aaron Trahair. Veteran point guard Brad Rosen was named team captain, taking over leadership duties, while the Kings re-signed Kelsey Weems, who had joined the team for the final 12 games of the previous season, and brought in import Alonzo Goldston.

The Kings opened the season against Bolden’s Razorbacks, marking West Sydney’s NBL debut. Sydney fell 97-103, and their struggles continued as they lost seven of their next eight games.

After a poor start, Goldston (14.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.5 blocks in six games) was released, and the team replaced him with former NBA big man Acie Earl. Standing 208cm and 110kg, Earl had played two seasons with the Boston Celtics before being selected by the Toronto Raptors in the 1995 expansion draft, where he famously scored 40 points against Boston in a revenge game. His arrival in the NBL immediately boosted the Kings, delivering one of the most dominant statistical seasons in league history.

Just five games into his tenure, Earl put up 33 points (12/19 FG) and 12 rebounds, shutting down Brisbane’s Thaddeus Delaney (4/14 FG). He finished the season averaging 21.6 points (50% FG), 12.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.4 steals, and 2.9 blocks per game, proving to be one of the most efficient big men in the league.

Beyond Earl, the rest of the roster delivered mixed performances. Weems (15.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.0 steals) didn’t match the impact of his previous campaign, while Matt Nielsen took a major leap, increasing his scoring from 16.4 points per game to 20.4, while also contributing 9.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.3 blocks, solidifying himself as the franchise’s future cornerstone.

Despite individual bright spots, the Kings struggled with consistency, finishing 5-8 at home and 4-9 on the road, ultimately placing ninth and missing the playoffs once again.

1998/99
Sydney faced significant roster changes as the NBL transitioned from a winter to a summer competition. The most notable departures included Shane Heal, who left to play in Greece for Near East, longtime team captain Bruce Bolden, who joined the newly established West Sydney Razorbacks, and Brad Williams and Stephen Whitehead, who were not re-signed. To fill the gaps, Ben Castle (via Brisbane) and Darren Smith (via state league) were brought in.

Head coach Bill Tomlinson opted to rebuild around young local talent, particularly Matthew Nielsen and Aaron Trahair. With Bolden gone, veteran Brad Rosen was named team captain, while import Kelsey Weems, who had joined Sydney for the final 12 games of the previous season, was re-signed and paired with incoming import Alonzo Goldston.

The season opener saw the Kings face off against Bolden’s Razorbacks in West Sydney’s NBL debut. Sydney fell 97-103, marking the first of eight losses in their opening nine games.

Following the rough start, Goldston (14.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.5 blocks in six games) was cut, and the Kings signed former NBA big man Acie Earl as his replacement.

Earl, a 208cm, 110kg powerhouse, had spent two seasons with the Boston Celtics before being selected by the Toronto Raptors in the 1995 expansion draft. Holding a grudge against Boston for letting him go, he famously erupted for 40 points against them in their next meeting. His 1998/99 season in Sydney was one of the most dominant in NBL history, posting 21.6 points (on 50% shooting), 12.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.4 steals, and 2.9 blocks per game. Five games into his tenure, he dropped 33 points (12/19 shooting) and 12 rebounds while shutting down Brisbane’s star big man Thaddeus Delaney, holding him to just 4-of-14 from the field.

Beyond Earl’s dominance, the rest of the roster struggled with consistency. Weems (15.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.0 steals) wasn’t able to match his impact from the previous season, while Nielsen (20.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.3 blocks) continued his impressive development, increasing his scoring output from 16.4 points per game and emerging as the face of the franchise.

Despite individual standout performances, the Kings struggled both at home (5-8) and on the road (4-9), finishing in ninth place and missing the playoffs once again.

1999/00

2000/01

He played a further seven seasons with the Kings and helped the club win championships in 2003 and 2004. In 244 career games for the Kings over nine seasons, he averaged 17.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.5 blocks per game.

In 2004, Nielsen began a decorated European career playing for PAOK Thessaloniki in Greece, Lietuvos Rytas in Lithuania, Valencia in Spain, Olympiacos Piraeus also in Greece, and Khimki in Russia.

On 10 October 2013, Nielsen was named in the Sydney Kings 25th Anniversary Team.