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Mathew Campbell (born 20 June 1976) is an Australian former professional basketball player who played his entire career for the Wollongong Hawks of the National Basketball League (NBL).

NBL career

Born in Bendigo, Victoria, Campbell joined the Illawarra Hawks in 1996, and remained with the club for 17 seasons. In his rookie season, he played in the NBL's Future Forces Game. In 1999, he finished third in voting for the NBL Best Defensive Player Award, and the following season, became the captain of the Hawks. He and long-time teammate Glen Saville helped the Hawks win their maiden NBL championship in 2001 and finish runners-up in 2005. He scored a career-best 36 points against the Townsville Crocodiles in Townsville on 5 December 2005, including 9-of-14 from three-pointer range.

Campbell led the "Save the Hawks" campaign in February 2009 to ensure Wollongong's further participation in the NBL. He helped the team raise significant funds as well as obtaining a $1 million guarantee from Gujarat NRE and gaining Australian Health Management as their naming rights sponsor.

In 2009, Campbell had his iconic No. 32 singlet retired by the Hawks. He is one of only five Illawarra/Wollongong players to have had their jersey retired.

On 15 March 2012, Campbell announced his retirement from professional basketball. He completed his 17-year NBL career as the Hawks' all-time games played leader with 524 (Glen Saville surpassed that record during the 2012–13 season), and the club's three-pointers made leader with 1,049. In 524 career games, he averaged 11.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.

National team career

Campbell was a member of the Under 23 Australian squad in 1996, and played for the Australian team during their tours to China and Europe in 2002. Two years later, he trialled for the Boomers to compete in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, but was cut from the squad ahead of the games.

Post-playing career

After retiring, Campbell worked for six years in the mining sector.

On 5 April 2018, Campbell was appointed general manager of the Illawarra Hawks. He remained in the role as of February 2024.

References

1. ^ "Mat Campbell NBL Player Profile". NBL.com.au. Archived from the original on 18 April 2007. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
2. "Mat Campbell Hawks Player Profile". NBL.com.au. Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
3. "Keys to the City for Mat Campbell". wollongong.nsw.gov.au. 26 March 2012. Archived from the original on 29 March 2013. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
4. "Tribute to Mat Campbell". parliament.nsw.gov.au. 27 March 2012. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
5. "Profile – Mat Campbell". HawksHistory.com.au. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
6. "RETIRED NUMBERS". Hawks.com.au. Archived from the original on 29 February 2016. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
7. "Hawks captain Mat Campbell retires". IllawarraMercury.com.au. 15 March 2012. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
8. Huntsdale, Justin (15 March 2012). "Hawks captain Campbell announces retirement". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
9. "PRESS CONFERENCE: Mat Campbell Announces Retirement". YouTube.com. 14 March 2012. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
10. "Player statistics for Mat Campbell". FoxSportsPulse.com. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
11. "Boomers coach ends Olympic dreams". The Age. 16 June 2004. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
12. ^ "Hawks legend Mat Campbell named Illawarra General Manager". NBL.com.au. 5 April 2018. Archived from the original on 22 February 2024.
13. "Tatum signs three-year deal with Hawks". NBL.com.au. 22 February 2024. Archived from the original on 22 February 2024.

External links

• NBL player profile at the Wayback Machine (archived 18 April 2007)
• Wollongong Hawks player profile at the Wayback Machine (archived 24 February 2012)
• NBL stats

• 1976 births
• Living people
• Australian men's basketball players
• Illawarra Hawks players
• Sportspeople from Bendigo
• Shooting guards
• Small forwards
• Wollongong Hawks players
• Sportsmen from Victoria (state)