Dakota Mathias

{{Infobox basketball biography

| name = Dakota Mathias

| image = Penya michigan18 19 mathias byunniks-1.jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Mathias with Joventut in 2018

| position = Shooting guard

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 4

| weight_lbs = 200

| league = NBA G League

| team = Noblesville Boom

| number = 31

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|7|11}}

| birth_place = Lima, Ohio, U.S.

| high_school = Elida (Elida, Ohio)

| college = Purdue (2014–2018)

| draft_year = 2018

| career_start = 2018

| years1 = 2018–2019

| team1 = Joventut

| years2 = 2019–2020

| team2 = Texas Legends

| years3 = {{nbay|2020|full=y}}

| team3 = Philadelphia 76ers

| years4 = {{nbay|2021|full=y}}

| team4 = Memphis Grizzlies

| years5 = 2022

| team5 = Texas Legends

| years6 = {{nbay|2022|start}}

| team6 = Memphis Grizzlies

| years7 = 2022–2023

| team7 = Memphis Hustle

| years8 = 2023

| team8 = Lenovo Tenerife

| years9 = 2023–2024

| team9 = ratiopharm Ulm

| years10 = 2024–present

| team10 = Noblesville Boom

| highlights =

| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's basketball}}

{{MedalCountry|the {{bk|USA}}}}

}}

Dakota Daniel Mathias (born July 11, 1995) is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Mad Ants of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for Purdue University.

High school career

Mathias was a star basketball player at Elida High School. He entered the starting lineup as a freshman and scored over 1,000 points and broke the school scoring record with 1,902.{{cite news |last=Baird |first=Nathan |title=Purdue's Dakota Mathias still a role model, but more than a role player |url=https://www.jconline.com/story/sports/college/purdue/basketball/2017/11/21/purdues-dakota-mathias-still-role-model-but-more-than-role-player/876050001/ |accessdate=June 6, 2018 |work=Journal & Courier |date=November 21, 2017}} Mathias scored 28 points a game as a senior at Elida and was First Team All-Ohio twice. He committed to Purdue in November 2013.{{cite news |last=Naveau |first=Jim |title=Elida graduate Mathias, Purdue chasing a championship |url=https://www.limaohio.com/sports/283827/elida-graduate-mathias-purdue-chasing-a-championship |accessdate=June 6, 2018 |work=The Lima News |date=February 3, 2018 |archive-date=March 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327183744/https://www.limaohio.com/sports/283827/elida-graduate-mathias-purdue-chasing-a-championship |url-status=dead }}

College career

Prior to Mathias's freshman season at Purdue, he suffered from mononucleosis and threw up before every practice. By the time his health was better, he suffered injuries to both ankles. Despite this, he never missed any games as a freshman but was not at full strength. He averaged 4.8 points and 2.1 rebounds per game as a freshman but shot just 32.2 percent from three-point range.{{cite news |last=Baird |first=Nathan |title=Purdue's Dakota Mathias hopes for healthy summer |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/2015/04/16/purdues-mathias-hopes-healthy-summer/25903631/ |accessdate=June 6, 2018 |work=Indianapolis Star |date=April 16, 2015}} He had a procedure to correct sinus issues and a deviated septum prior to his second year. As a junior, Mathias averaged 9.7 points a game, led the team in three-pointers and started every game. He developed a reputation as a coach on the floor, with players frequently going to him if they did not understand something basketball-related. He was an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention and was named to the conference Defensive Team.{{cite web|url=http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/030617aag.html|title=Men's Basketball Postseason Honors: Purdue's Swanigan named Big Ten Player of the Year|accessdate=March 7, 2017|date=March 6, 2017|website=BigTen.org|publisher=CBS Interactive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307123604/http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/030617aag.html|archive-date=March 7, 2017|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/big10/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2016-17/misc_non_event/2016-17_All_Big_Ten_Honors.pdf|title=2016–17 All-Big Ten Men's Basketball Team|accessdate=March 7, 2017|date=March 6, 2017|website=CSTV.com|archive-date=March 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307123951/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/big10/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2016-17/misc_non_event/2016-17_All_Big_Ten_Honors.pdf|url-status=dead}}

As a senior, Mathias evolved into one of the best defensive players in the Big Ten Conference. He scored 23 points against Fairfield on November 29, 2017. In the Round of 32 of the NCAA Tournament, he hit the critical 3-pointer with 13 seconds remaining that decided Purdue's 76–73 victory over Butler.{{cite news |last=Baird |first=Nathan |title=Dakota Mathias sets the tone for Purdue basketball with his calm intensity |url=https://www.jconline.com/story/sports/college/purdue/basketball/2018/03/21/dakota-mathias-sets-tone-purdue-basketball-his-calm-intensity/442465002/ |accessdate=June 6, 2018 |work=Journal & Courier |date=March 21, 2018}} As a senior, he averaged 12.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game on a 30–7 squad. Mathias finished sixth in the NCAA in three-point field goal percentage at 46.6 percent and owns the Purdue record for career threes with 250.{{cite news |title=Purdue's Mathias picked for 3-Point Championship roster |url=http://www.journalgazette.net/blog/on-campus/20180326/purdues-mathias-picked-for-3-point-championship-roster |accessdate=June 6, 2018 |work=The Journal Gazette |date=March 26, 2018}} He was again an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention and named to the conference Defensive Team.{{Cite news|url=http://btn.com/2018/02/26/view-the-2017-18-all-big-ten-mens-basketball-team/|title=View the 2017–18 All-Big Ten Men's Basketball Team|work=Big Ten Network|access-date=June 6, 2018}}

Professional career

=Joventut (2018–2019)=

After going undrafted in the 2018 NBA draft, Mathias signed a partially guaranteed contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, joining the team for Summer League.{{cite news |last=Baird |first=Nathan |title=Former Purdue guard Dakota Mathias excited about his fit with Cleveland Cavaliers |url=https://www.jconline.com/story/sports/college/purdue/basketball/2018/06/22/purdues-dakota-mathias-lands-partially-guaranteed-deal-cleveland/724888002/ |accessdate=June 24, 2018 |work=Lafayette Journal & Courier |date=June 22, 2018}} On August 1, 2018, he signed with Divina Seguros Joventut of the Liga ACB in Spain.{{cite news |title=Dakota Mathias signs with Badalona |url=https://sportando.basketball/en/spain/acb/284297/dakota-mathias-signs-with-badalona.html |accessdate=August 1, 2018 |work=Sportando |date=August 1, 2018 }}{{Dead link|date=January 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} After an ankle injury that sidelined him between October and December, some pain remained which prevented him from playing regularly, and on March 3, 2019, he and the club agreed to cancel their contract.{{cite news|last=Prat|first=Jordi|work=L'Esportiu |language=Catalan|url=https://www.lesportiudecatalunya.cat/basquet/article/1564608-dakota-mathias-deixa-de-ser-jugador-del-divina-joventut.html|title=Dakota Mathias deixa de ser jugador del Divina Joventut|date=March 3, 2019|accessdate=March 24, 2019}}

=Texas Legends (2019–2020)=

On July 26, 2019, Mathias signed a training camp contract with the Dallas Mavericks.{{cite web|last=Sefko|first=Eddie|title=Mavericks sign former Purdue star Mathias|url=https://www.mavs.com/mavericks-sign-former-purdue-star-mathias/|website=Mavs.com|accessdate=July 26, 2019|date=July 26, 2019}} He was waived on October 16, 2019,{{cite web|title=Dakota Mathias: Waived by Dallas|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/dakota-mathias-waived-by-dallas/|website=cbssports.com|accessdate=October 16, 2019|date=October 16, 2019}} but later added to the roster of the Mavs' NBA G League affiliate, the Texas Legends.{{cite news |title=Legends hand Skyforce first home loss |url=https://www.ksfy.com/content/sports/Legends-hand-Skyforce-first-home-loss-565569472.html |accessdate=December 9, 2019 |work=KSFY |date=November 27, 2019}} He scored 30 points in a win over Sioux Falls Skyforce on November 27.{{cite news |title=Dakota Mathias: Drops 30 points in win |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/dakota-mathias-drops-30-points-in-win/ |accessdate=January 12, 2020 |work=CBS Sports |date=November 27, 2019}} Mathias scored 30 points in a victory over the Oklahoma City Blue on December 9.{{cite news |title=Dakota Mathias: Drops 30 points in win |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/323222-dakota-mathias-drops-30-points-in-win/ |accessdate=January 12, 2020 |work=CBS Sports |date=December 9, 2019}} Mathias averaged 18.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal per game.{{cite web |last=Schmidt |first=Dakota |title=Dakota Schmidt And Santa Cruz Play By Play Man Kevin Danna Select Their G League All-Star Teams |url=https://www.ridiculousupside.com/2020/2/13/21136546/dakota-schmidt-and-santa-cruz-pbp-man-kevin-danna-g-league-all-star-justin-anderson-tremont-waters |website=Ridiculous Upside |publisher=SB Nation |accessdate=May 27, 2020 |date=May 27, 2020}}

=Philadelphia 76ers (2020–2021)=

On December 3, 2020, Mathias signed a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, splitting time with their G League affiliate the Delaware Blue Coats.{{cite web |title=Team Signs Mathias to Two-Way Contract |url=https://www.nba.com/sixers/news/team-signs-mathias-two-way-contract |website=NBA.com |access-date=December 3, 2020 |date=December 3, 2020}} He was waived on January 18, 2021, after averaging 6.0 points and 1.6 assists per game in eight games.{{cite news |last=Levick |first=Noah |title=Sixers waive Mathias, opening up 2-way spot |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/sixers/sixers-roster-sixers-waive-dakota-mathias-nba-two-way-contract |access-date=December 31, 2021 |work=NBC Sports |date=January 18, 2021}}

=Memphis Grizzlies / Texas Legends (2021–2022)=

On December 30, 2021, Mathias signed a 10-day contract with the Memphis Grizzlies via the hardship exception.{{cite web |title=Memphis Grizzlies sign Dakota Mathias to 10-day contract |url=https://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/memphis-grizzlies-sign-dakota-mathias-to-10-day-contract-211230 |website=NBA.com |access-date=December 31, 2021 |date=December 30, 2021}}

On January 9, 2022, Mathias was reacquired by the Texas Legends.{{cite web|url=https://gleague.nba.com/transactions/|website=gleague.nba.com|title=2021-22 NBA G League transactions|date=January 9, 2022|access-date=January 9, 2022}}

On January 14, 2022, Mathias signed a 10-day contract with the Memphis Grizzlies.{{cite web |title=Memphis Grizzlies sign Dakota Mathias to second 10-day contract |url=https://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/memphis-grizzlies-sign-dakota-mathias-to-second-10-day-contract-220114 |website=NBA.com |access-date=January 15, 2022 |date=January 14, 2022}}

On January 24, 2022, Mathias was reacquired by the Texas Legends.{{cite web|url=https://gleague.nba.com/transactions/|website=gleague.nba.com|title=2021-22 NBA G League Transactions|date=January 24, 2022|access-date=January 24, 2022}} On February 10, he was waived.{{Cite web |title=2021-22 Texas Legends Transactions |url=https://basketball.realgm.com/dleague/teams/Texas-Legends/32/Transaction_History/2022 |access-date=March 27, 2022 |website=RealGM}}

=Memphis Hustle (2022–2023)=

Mathias joined the Memphis Grizzlies for the 2022 NBA Summer League.{{Cite web |title=Memphis Grizzlies 2022 NBA2K23 Summer League Roster |url=https://www.nba.com/summer-league/2022/vegas/team/1610612763/grizzlies |access-date=July 5, 2022 |website=NBA.com}} On November 4, 2022, Mathias was named to the opening-night roster for the Memphis Hustle.{{cite web|url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/memphis-hustle-announce-roster-moves-finalize-opening-night-roster/n-5895741|title=Memphis Hustle Announce Roster Moves; Finalize Opening Night Roster|website=oursportscentral.com|date=November 4, 2022|access-date=November 4, 2022}}

=Lenovo Tenerife (2023)=

On April 6, 2023, Mathias signed with Lenovo Tenerife of the Liga ACB.{{cite web |date=April 6, 2023 |title=Dakota Mathias refuerza la línea exterior del Lenovo Tenerife |url=https://www.acb.com/articulo/ver/400081-dakota-mathias-refuerza-la-linea-exterior-del-lenovo-tenerife.html |access-date=April 7, 2023 |website=ACB.com |language=es}}

=ratiopharm Ulm (2023–2024)=

On August 1, 2023, Mathias signed with ratiopharm Ulm of the Basketball Bundesliga.{{cite web|title=Erfahrener Scharfschütze wird Uuulmer|url=https://ratiopharmulm.com/news/erfahrener-scharfschuetze-wird-uuulmer-1769/|website=ratiopharmUlm.com|date=August 1, 2023|access-date=August 1, 2023|language=de}}

=Indiana Mad Ants (2024–present)=

On August 26, 2024, Mathias signed with the Indiana Pacers,{{cite web|title=Indiana Pacers Sign Mathias to Exhibit 10 Contract with the Mad Ants|url=https://www.nba.com/pacers/news/indiana-pacers-sign-mathias-to-exhibit-10-contract-with-the-mad-ants|website=NBA.com|date=August 26, 2024|access-date=August 27, 2024}} but was waived three days later.{{cite web|title=Indiana Pacers Waive Mathias|url=https://www.nba.com/pacers/news/indiana-pacers-waive-mathias|website=NBA.com|date=August 29, 2024|access-date=August 29, 2024}} On October 27, he joined the Indiana Mad Ants.{{cite tweet|author=Mad Ants Basketball|title=our 2024-25 training camp roster 🐜🔥|number=1850621766915539218|user=TheMadAnts|date=October 27, 2024|access-date=October 28, 2024}}

National team career

Mathias was a part of the Purdue team chosen to represent the United States in the 2017 Summer Universiade in Taipei, Taiwan.{{cite news|first=Mike|last=DeCourcy|title=World University Games 2017: Purdue 40 minutes from gold after wrecking Serbia|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball/news/world-university-games-2017-us-serbia-purdue-vincent-edwards-gold-medal-match/1jotlaj87qs9z1bmi8ttoe89tv|work=Sporting News|date=August 28, 2017|access-date=June 6, 2018}} The U.S. received a silver medal after losing in the title game to Lithuania.{{cite web|first=Mike|last=Botkin|title=Medal Up|url=https://www.indianapolismonthly.com/sports/medal-up/|work=Indianapolis Monthly|date=August 29, 2017|access-date=January 22, 2018}}

In 2021, Mathias joined the national team to compete in the Americup qualifiers.{{Cite web|title=FIBA.basketball|url=http://www.fiba.basketball/americup/2022/qualifiers/player/Dakota-Daniel-Mathias|access-date=2021-03-10|website=FIBA.basketball|language=en}}

Personal life

Mathias is the son of Dan & Tracy Mathias and has two older brothers: Dustin & Bo. Mathias married Gabby Gary, daughter of former Mercer men's basketball head coach Greg Gary, in August 2019.{{cite web |title=Gabby Gary and Dakota Mathias |url=https://registryfinder.com/registry/gabby-gary/dakota-mathias/wedding/august-2019/na/1390807 |website=RegistryFinder.com |accessdate=January 12, 2020 |archive-date=January 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112200117/https://registryfinder.com/registry/gabby-gary/dakota-mathias/wedding/august-2019/na/1390807 |url-status=dead }}