Matt Lojeski

{{Infobox basketball biography

| name = Matt Lojeski

| image = Matt Lojeski.JPG

| image_size = 250px

| caption = Matt Lojeski

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 6

| weight_lb = 203

| nationality = American / Belgian

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1985|7|24}}

| birth_place = Racine, Wisconsin, U.S.

| high_school = St. Catherine's (Racine, Wisconsin)

| college =

{{nowrap|Eastern Wyoming (2003–2005)}}
Hawaii (2005–2007)

| draft_year = 2007

| career_start = 2007

| career_end = 2021

| career_position = Small forward / shooting guard

| career_number = 24

| years1 = 2007–2009

| team1 = Okapi Aalst

| years2 = 2009–2013

| team2 = Oostende

| years3 = 2013–2017

| team3 = Olympiacos

| years4 = 2017–2019

| team4 = Panathinaikos

| years5 = 2019–2020

| team5 = Tofaş

| years6 = 2020–2021

| team6 = AEK Athens

| highlights =

FIBA Intercontinental Cup champion (2013)
4× Greek League champion (2015, 2016, 2018, 2019)
Greek League Finals MVP (2019)
Greek Basketball Cup winner (2019)
3× All-Greek League Second Team (2015, 2016, 2019)
2× Belgian League champion (2012, 2013)
Belgian League Finals MVP (2013)
2× Belgian Cup winner (2010, 2013)
2× Belgian League MVP (2009, 2013)
Belgian Cup MVP (2013)
4× All-Belgian League First Team (2010-2013)

}}

Matthew Thomas Lojeski (born July 24, 1985) is an American-Belgian[http://www.mattlojeski.com/ MattLojeski.com - Citizenship: U.S./Belgian.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730231236/http://www.mattlojeski.com/ |date=2013-07-30 }} former professional basketball player who last played for AEK Athens of the Greek Basket League and the Basketball Champions League. He also represents the senior men's Belgian national basketball team. Standing at {{height|ft=6|in=6}}, and weighing 92 kg (203 lbs.),[http://widgets.baskethotel.com/site/esake/player/4966125/ MATTHEW LOJESKI Height: 198 cm Weight: 92 kg.] he plays at the shooting guard and small forward positions.[http://www.mattlojeski.com/#!about/cadp About Matt Personal Details.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730231236/http://www.mattlojeski.com/ |date=2013-07-30 }}

High school career

Lojeski played high school basketball at St. Catherine's High School in Racine, Wisconsin. While in high school, Lojeski played basketball, baseball, and soccer, and also competed in cross country sports. As a basketball player, he was named All-County and All-Conference twice, and All-State once. As a baseball player, he was named All-Conference twice.[http://hawaiiathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6752 MATT LOJESKI Prep:]

College career

Lojeski played college basketball at Eastern Wyoming College (NJCAA) from 2003 to 2005. At Eastern Wyoming, he was named to the NJCAA All-Tournament Team in 2004, and to the NJCAA All-American Third Team in 2005.

After being recruited by the Utah State Aggies and the DePaul Blue Demons, Lojeski ultimately decided to play at the University of Hawaii (NCAA Division I), where he played with the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors, from 2005 to 2007. While at Hawaii, he was selected to the Great Alaska Shootout's All-Tournament Team, and was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Rainbow Classic in 2006. He was also selected to the All-WAC Newcomer Team in 2006. He was named to the All-WAC Second Team in 2007.[http://hawaiiathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6752 21 MATT LOJESKI:]

Professional career

Lojeski began his pro career in 2007, with the Belgian League club Okapi Aalst. While a member of the Aalst team, he was named the Belgian League MVP in 2009.[http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2009/Jun/21/sp/hawaii906210368.html The.Honoluluadvertiser.com Ex-'Bow Lojeski best in Belgium.] He then moved to the Belgian League club Oostende.

With Oostende, he won the Belgian Cup in 2010 and 2013, and the Belgian League championship in 2012 and 2013. He was also named the Belgian Cup MVP in 2013,[http://www.fibaeurope.com/cid_3-I9xIK,H52ZNfYSgahgJ0.inplayer_on.inteam_on.intext_on.incoach_on.search_oostende.x_0.y_0.coid_dPxG7iECItUbg6vihymvy1.articleMode_on.html FIBAEurope.com Oostende, MZT Skopje Clinch Cup Titles.] and the Belgian League MVP the same year.[http://www.demorgen.be/dm/nl/1005/Meer-Sport/article/detail/1666036/2013/07/09/Matt-Lojeski-blijft-BC-Oostende-trouw.dhtml DeMorgen.br Matt Lojeski blijft BC Oostende trouw {{in lang|nl}}.]

On July 31, 2013, Lojeski signed a two-year contract with the back-to-back defending EuroLeague champions Olympiacos.{{cite web|title=Olympiakos BC officially sign Matt Lojeski|url=http://www.sportando.net/eng/europe/greece/60654/olympiakos-bc-officially-sign-matt-lojeski.html|work=Sportando|access-date=31 July 2013}}{{cite web|title=OLYMPIACOS acquires Lojeski from Oostende |url=http://www.euroleague.net/euroleaguenews/transactions/2013-14-signings/i/115174/8177 |work=Euroleague.net |access-date=31 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130803152954/http://www.euroleague.net/euroleaguenews/transactions/2013-14-signings/i/115174/8177 |archive-date=August 3, 2013 }} On November 16, 2014, he extended his contract with Olympiacos until 2017.{{cite news|title=Olympiacos extends Matt Lojeski till June 2017|url=http://www.sportando.com/en/europe/greece/141369/olympiacos-extends-matt-lojeski-till-june-2017.html|access-date=July 15, 2015|work=Sportando.com|date=November 16, 2014}} With Olympiacos, he won the 2013 edition of the FIBA Intercontinental Cup, and the Greek League championship in 2015 and 2016.

Lojeski has also played in the NBA Summer League, with the Summer League teams of the Utah Jazz and Milwaukee Bucks.[http://www.mattlojeski.com/about Professional History/Accomplishments.]

On August 12, 2017, Lojeski signed a one-year deal with Greek club Panathinaikos.{{cite news|title=Στον Παναθηναϊκό Superfoods ο Ματ Λοτζέσκι|url=http://www.paobc.gr/page.ashx?pid=2&aid=44630|access-date=August 12, 2017|work=paobc.gr|date=August 12, 2017|language=el}} In his very first year in Greens, he won the Greek Championship. In the 5th final (best-of-five-series) against Olympiakos, ([https://www.paobc.gr/page.ashx?pid=23&aid=49009&mid=2224&lang=2 84:70]) Matt had 12 points, four rebounds and four assists. Lojeski renewed his contract with Panathinaikos for another season on July 28, 2018. On February 17, 2019, he won the Greek Cup title after Panathinaikos beat PAOK (79:73) in the big final, held in Heraklion, Crete. At the end of the season, Matt won another Championship with the Greens (3rd in a row and 38th trophy for Panathinaikos) having 8.7 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 17.9 minutes per game. Panathinaikos beat Promitheas in the play-off final series with 3-0 victories.

On August 5, 2019, he signed with Tofaş of the Turkish Basketbol Süper Ligi.{{Cite web|url=https://sportando.basketball/en/matt-lojeski-signs-in-turkey-with-tofas-bursa/|title=Matt Lojeski signs in Turkey with Tofas Bursa

|date=August 5, 2019|publisher=Sportando|language=En|access-date=August 5, 2019}}

On July 26, 2020, Lojeski agreed to return to Greece, this time for AEK Athens.{{cite news |title=Aek Athens officially signs Matt Lojeski |url=https://sportando.basketball/en/aek-athens-officially-signs-matt-lojeski/ |website=Sportando |access-date=July 27, 2020 |date=July 27, 2020 |last1=Maggi |first1=Alessandro }}

National team career

Lojeski received Belgian nationality in May 2013, making him eligible to play for the senior men's Belgian national basketball team.[http://www.court-side.com/news/blog/matt-lojeski-added-by-olympiacos/ Court-Side.com Matt Lojeski added by Olympiacos.] After playing in the team's preparation stage in several friendly games, he was selected to play for Belgium at the EuroBasket 2013. However, he could not play at the tournament, due to an injury.[http://www.eurobasket2013.org/en/coid_lPc-yUW1GtAHnUU53DELL0.articleMode_on.html Eurobasket2013.org Roundup: Mancinelli, Lojeski Ruled Out.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130901014348/http://www.eurobasket2013.org/en/coid_lPc-yUW1GtAHnUU53DELL0.articleMode_on.html |date=2013-09-01 }}

He made his debut in an official tournament with Belgium, at EuroBasket 2015. On September 7, 2015, during EuroBasket 2015, he hit a buzzer-beating tip-in against Lithuania, which gave Belgium a 76–74 win. Belgium ended the competition at the tournament's Round of 16, where they lost to Greece, by a score of 75–54.{{cite news|title=GREECE TOO MUCH FOR BELGIUM.|url=http://www.eurobasket2015.org/en/compID_qMRZdYCZI6EoANOrUf9le2.season_2015.roundID_9322.coid_99zgqUGsGhQ2C9b0JYJcP1.articleMode_on.html|access-date=12 September 2015|work=eurobasket2015.org|date=12 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150913160056/http://www.eurobasket2015.org/en/compID_qMRZdYCZI6EoANOrUf9le2.season_2015.roundID_9322.coid_99zgqUGsGhQ2C9b0JYJcP1.articleMode_on.html|archive-date=13 September 2015|url-status=usurped}} Over 6 EuroBasket 2015 tournament games, Lojeski averaged 11.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, on 49.1% shooting from the field.{{cite web|title=Matt Lojeski|url=http://www.eurobasket2015.org/en/compID_qMRZdYCZI6EoANOrUf9le2.season_2015.roundID_9322.teamID_245.playerID_66047.html|website=eurobasket2015.org|publisher=FIBA Europe|access-date=12 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907235643/http://www.eurobasket2015.org/en/compID_qMRZdYCZI6EoANOrUf9le2.season_2015.roundID_9322.teamID_245.playerID_66047.html|archive-date=7 September 2015|url-status=usurped}}

Career statistics

=EuroLeague=

| style="text-align:left;"| 2013–14

| style="text-align:left;" rowspan=4| Olympiacos

| 29 || 13 || 25.0 || .518 || .430 || .778 || 4.0 || 2.0 || .6 || .1 || 11.1 || 12.6

| style="text-align:left;"| 2014–15

| 25 || 7 || 24.2 || .489 || .432 || .625 || 3.8 || 1.6 || 1.0 || .3 || 9.5 || 10.6

| style="text-align:left;"| 2015–16

| 11 || 3 || 21.6 || .506 || .450 || .813 || 3.5 || 2.5 || .5 || .1 || 10.1 || 12.0

| style="text-align:left;"| 2016–17

| 26 || 2 || 21.4 || .494 || .420 || .827 || 3.1 || 1.6 || .5 || .3 || 9.9 || 11.3

| style="text-align:left;"| 2017–18

| style="text-align:left;" rowspan=2| Panathinaikos

| 27 || 18 || 18.3 || .467 || .455 || .700 || 2.4 || .7 || .3 || .1 || 5.7 || 4.6

| style="text-align:left;"| 2018–19

| 25 || 6 || 15.9 || .517 || .356 || .920 || 2.2 || .9 || .2 || .1 || 6.5 || 6.3

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan=2 | Career

| 143 || 49 || 22.1 || .499 || .426 || .790 || 3.1 || 1.5 || .5 || .2 || 8.7 || 9.4

Awards and accomplishments

=College=

NJCAA All-Tournament Team: (2004)
NJCAA All-American Third Team: (2005)
Great Alaska Shootout All-Tournament Team: (2006)
Rainbow Classic Most Outstanding Player: (2006)
All-WAC Newcomer Team: (2006)
All-WAC Second Team: (2007)

=Pro career=

2× Belgian League MVP: (2009, 2013)
2× Belgian Cup Winner: (2010, 2013)
2× Belgian League Champion: (2012, 2013)
Belgian Cup MVP: (2013)
FIBA Intercontinental Cup Champion: (2013)
EuroLeague Finals Top Scorer: (2015)
4× Greek League Champion: (2015, 2016, 2018, 2019)
Greek League Finals MVP: (2019)

References

External links

[https://web.archive.org/web/20130730231236/http://www.mattlojeski.com/ Official Website]
[http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Matt-Lojeski-1280/stats/ Matt Lojeski] at draftexpress.com
[http://widgets.baskethotel.com/site/esake/player/4966125/ Matt Lojeski] at baskethotel.com {{in lang|en}}
[http://www.esake.gr/el/action/EsakeplayerView?idplayer=7E196AB8&mode=1&idteam=00000002&idchampionship= Matt Lojeski] at esake.gr {{in lang|el}}
[http://basketball.eurobasket.com/player/Matt_Lojeski/90772 Matt Lojeski] at eurobasket.com
[http://www.euroleague.net/competition/players/showplayer?pcode=003608 Matt Lojeski] at euroleague.net
[https://web.archive.org/web/20180520051639/http://archive.fiba.com/pages/eng/fa/p/rpp//q/Matt%20LOJESKI/pid/66047/_//players.html Matt Lojeski] at archive.fiba.com
[https://web.archive.org/web/20150809092830/http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/gamecent/p/pid/6040093/playerview.html Matt Lojeski] at fiba.com (game center)
[http://hawaiiathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6752 Matt Lojeski] at hawaiiathletics.com
[https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/matt-lojeski-1.html Matt Lojeski] – college basketball player statistics at Sports Reference
[https://www.tblstat.net/player/3088 Matt Lojeski] at tblstat.net
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