After Dominating G-League, Former Minnesota Mr. Basketball Matthew Hurt Gets Shot at NBA

Rochester John Marshall legend and Minnesota’s 2019 Mr. Basketball, Matthew Hurt, has been dominating the NBA G-League’s Memphis Hustle. How good has he been? Good enough to be the G-League leading scorer, at 25.5 PPG.

Matthew Hurt Signing 10-day contract with Memphis Grizzlies

And on Monday, it was announced the Memphis Grizzlies are signing him to 10-day contract via the ‘hardship’ clause. Either way, Hurt will finally get his chance in the National Basketball Association.

The Memphis Grizzlies are planning to sign forward Matt Hurt to a 10-day contract via hardship out of their G League Hustle affiliate, sources tell me and @KellyIko. Hurt is averaging 22.2 points and 7.4 rebounds in G League.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 29, 2024

As a freshman at Duke, Hurt averaged 9.7 points and 3.8 rebounds. In his final season (sophomore), he averaged 18.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, earning him ACC Most Improved Player and First-Team All-ACC. He then opted to enter the 2021 NBA Draft… but never heard his name called.

Related: Matthew Hurt: The Greatest Minnesota High School Basketball Player Ever.

Hurt signed a 2-way contract with the Houston Rockets on August 13, 2021, but never played a minute in Houston or for G-League affiliate, Rio Grande Valley Vipers. Instead, he was waived by the Rockets on September 24, 2021, prior to the start of training camp.

On October 14, he was signed by the Memphis Grizzlies, only to be waived two days later, then signed to their G-League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle. He didn’t register any stats in 2021, but that changed one year later, in 2022-23, when Hurt played in 28 regular season games, and averaged 15 points and 4 rebounds.

Hurt re-signed with the Memphis Grizzlies this offseason, only to be waived two weeks later. When no other teams came calling, he signed back on with the Hustle on October 30, and he’s dominated ever since.

Matthew Hurt was untouchable at John Marshall

Hurt played varsity as a freshman at Rochester John Marshall high school and, by his junior year in 2017–18, he was averaging 33.9 points, 15.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 4.3 blocks per game, leading his team to a remarkable 26–3 record and a spot in the section title game.

As a senior, he somehow got better, averaging 36.8 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game, which earned him the prestigious title of Minnesota Mr. Basketball and a spot in the 2019 McDonald’s All-American Game.

Getting to see high school Matthew Hurt play in person was pretty incredible, He’s by far the best high school player I’ve seen live. He used to sellout high school gyms all over the state.

Here's a look at Matthew Hurt's 46 point, 17 rebound performance today for Rochester John Marshall. RJM beat Lakeville South 75-72 at the Breakdown Boys Tip-Off Classic in Hopkins. pic.twitter.com/moFeKglJnZ

— KSTPSports (@KSTPSports) December 9, 2017

Related: Shocker: Matthew Hurt Chooses Duke

Hurt chose Duke over other blue blood offers from North Carolina, Kentucky, and Kansas. He had a five-star consensus rating and easily considered a top-25 high school prospect in the 2019 class.

Matthew Hurt has undoubtedly earned an opportunity after showcasing his skills in high school and then transitioning to the G League. With his impressive performance, another player with ties to Minnesota joins the league.