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Matthew Robert "Matt" Bonner (born April 5, 1980) is an American professional basketball player currently with the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA. He's nicknamed Red Rocket.
[edit] High schoolMatt Bonner attended Concord High School in his home town. He played for the Concord High School basketball team, helping bring them to and then win three state championships. Matt has two younger siblings. Matt's brother, Luke Bonner, attended the University of Massachusetts and played basketball there, and now plays professionally in Hungary. Matt's sister, Becky, is the Director of Basketball Operations for the University of Louisville women's basketball program. Due to the strong support by his parents, Mr. Bonner, a letter carrier, and Mrs. Bonner, an elementary school teacher in Concord, he would also graduate top of his class in academics.[1] [edit] CollegeStanding 6'10" at 240 lb, Bonner was drafted out of the University of Florida by the Chicago Bulls in the 2nd round of the 2003 NBA Draft and then traded to the Toronto Raptors. While playing for the Florida Gators, Bonner amassed 1,570 points 778 rebounds and 165 three pointers and finished his career ranked in the top 10 in six categories. Bonner graduated from Florida with a 3.96 GPA and was named the Verizon Academic All-American of the Year for the sport of basketball in both 2002 and 2003.[2][3] [edit] International careerThe Toronto Raptors recognized the potential in Bonner but did not have a roster position available. Bonner was asked to spend a year in Europe honing his skills with a verbal promise to give him a shot at making the team in 2004. After signing with Sicilia Messina of the Italian league based in Messina, Sicily, 2003 proved to be a harrowing year for Bonner. Bonner survived a 104.5 degree Fahrenheit fever brought on by a bout of salmonella (treated by the team dentist) most likely caused by a lack of running hot water in his apartment. Sicilia had filed for bankruptcy in the middle of the season and had stopped paying its players. Bonner's heat and electricity were shut off and he was given two eviction notices. Despite half the team leaving, Bonner stuck it out and finished the year averaging 19.2 points and 9.3 rebounds.[4] [edit] NBA career Bonner signed with the Raptors before the 2004–05 NBA season, averaging 7.2 points per game and played in all 82 of the Raptors' games. Matt received the nickname "Red Rocket" during the same season due to the fact that he has red hair and was constantly sighted on the public transit in Toronto, the TTC, whose streetcars are red and slogan is 'Ride the Rocket'. Matt Bonner's first prominent moment as a Raptor occurred on December 2004 during an exciting game at the Air Canada Centre. Extending for a rebound, he knocked all-star Kevin Garnett from behind, sending him sprawling to the ground prompting the two players to get into a heated exchange. The crowd chanted "Bonner, Bonner" as he was ejected from the game. This immediately established Matt as a fan favorite with Raptors fans rallying behind Bonner. In the 2005–06 season Bonner played 78 games averaging 7.5 points per game, 3.6 rebounds per game and shot 44.8% from the field. He ranked 14th in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage, and was one of the first players the Raptors looked to for three-point shots. On June 21, 2006, Bonner was traded with Eric Williams and a second round pick in the 2006 NBA Draft to the San Antonio Spurs for Radoslav Nesterovic and cash considerations. While with the Spurs in the 2006–07 season, Bonner played in 56 games averaging 4.9 points per game in 11.7 minutes per game. The team went on to win the league championship and Bonner received his championship ring in a ceremony on October 30, 2007 prior to a game against the Portland Trail Blazers. On December 11, 2007, Bonner registered career highs of 25 points and 17 rebounds in a loss to the Golden State Warriors.[5] [edit] PersonalUntil receiving a C on a chemistry exam in college, Bonner had never received a B as final grade in any class throughout his academic career.[6] Among Bonner's favorite food is a Mr. Sub smoked turkey breast submarine sandwich with mayo and mustard on whole wheat.[7] Bonner bought his car, a white Pontiac Grand Prix, in New Hampshire to avoid paying sales tax.[8] He chose it because it had good leg room and decent gas mileage.[8] In 2008, Bonner signed with New Balance to produce his own basketball shoe.[9] [edit] Awards
[edit] NBA career statistics
[edit] Regular season
[edit] Playoffs
[edit] Notes
[edit] External links
Categories: 1980 births | Living people | American expatriate basketball people in Canada | American expatriate basketball people in Italy | American immigrants to Canada | Basketball players from New Hampshire | Chicago Bulls draft picks | Florida Gators men's basketball players | People from Concord, New Hampshire | Power forwards (basketball) | San Antonio Spurs players | Small forwards | Toronto Raptors players | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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