Garrison Mathews Joins Olimpia Milano: A New Chapter in Europe
Garrison Mathews, an accomplished basketball player, is embarking on a new professional journey by joining Olimpia Milano in Europe. This move signifies a fresh chapter for Mathews, who has spent several years in the NBA. The official announcement from Olimpia Milano is pending, with the contract expected to be finalized mid-August following his arrival in Italy and completion of a physical examination. Mathews conveyed his excitement about the opportunity, acknowledging that playing overseas was not initially part of his career plan but was too appealing to decline. Despite this European venture, he maintains a long-term aspiration of returning to the NBA after a successful season with Olimpia Milano.
Mathews' Transition to European Basketball
Garrison Mathews is set to embark on a new chapter in his basketball career, transitioning from the NBA to join Olimpia Milano in Europe. This move marks a significant shift for the player, who expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity despite it being an unforeseen path. The agreement, initially reported last month as a one-plus-one contract, awaits official confirmation from the Italian club. Mathews' arrival in Italy after August 15th will precede a physical examination and his integration into the team's training camp. This European stint offers him a fresh platform to showcase his skills and continue his professional development.
Mathews, who entered the NBA as an undrafted free agent in 2019 after a successful collegiate career at Lipscomb, has accumulated significant experience across multiple teams including Washington, Houston, Atlanta, and Indiana. Over 329 regular-season games, he averaged 6.4 points and 1.7 rebounds in 17.3 minutes per contest, primarily recognized for his proficiency in three-point shooting, maintaining a 38.2% conversion rate on 3.9 attempts per game. His most recent NBA tenure involved two 10-day contracts and a non-guaranteed deal with the Pacers during the 2025-26 season, culminating in his waiver in December. Now, after a period of reflection and family time, Mathews is eager to leverage his time with Olimpia Milano, viewing it as a crucial step towards achieving his ultimate goal of a potential NBA comeback.
NBA Career and Future Aspirations
Garrison Mathews forged a notable career in the NBA after going undrafted in 2019, demonstrating resilience and skill across various franchises. His journey saw him don the jerseys of the Washington Wizards, Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, and Indiana Pacers. Throughout his 329 regular-season appearances, Mathews consistently contributed with an average of 6.4 points and 1.7 rebounds over 17.3 minutes per game. He particularly distinguished himself with his impressive perimeter shooting, converting 38.2% of his three-point attempts, which became a hallmark of his playstyle. This sharpshooting ability made him a valuable asset to every team he played for, showcasing his capacity to perform at the highest level of professional basketball.
Despite his consistent performance, Mathews' NBA journey recently led him to two 10-day contracts and a subsequent non-guaranteed deal with the Indiana Pacers during the first half of the 2025-26 season, before being waived in December. This turn of events paved the way for his current move to Europe. While embracing the new challenge with Olimpia Milano, Mathews openly expressed his ambition to parlay a strong performance in Italy into another NBA opportunity. He views this European chapter not as a definitive end to his NBA aspirations but rather as a strategic step to further develop his game and prove his capabilities, hoping to attract renewed interest from NBA teams in the future.