Blazers sign Matthews

Press release:

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Trail Blazers have signed guard Wesley Matthews, it was announced today by General Manager Rich Cho. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

A restricted free agent, Matthews signed an offer sheet with the Trail Blazers on July 10. The Utah Jazz elected not to exercise its right of first refusal and match the offer.

“Wesley is a great fit for our team both on and off the court,” said Cho. “As only a first-year player last season, he demonstrated a lot of maturity and ability. He’s already one of the best young defenders in the league and offensively he’s an emerging threat. He’s going to add a lot of versatility to our roster.”

Matthews, 23, appeared in all 82 games, including 48 starts, for Utah as a rookie in 2009-10. He averaged 9.4 points (48.3% FG, 38.2% 3-PT, 82.9% FT), 2.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.78 steals and 24.7 minutes for the Jazz last year.

In his first NBA season, Matthews (6-5, 220) started all 10 of Utah’s 2010 postseason contests, posting averages of 13.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.80 steals in 37.1 minutes.

A four-year player from Marquette University, Matthews went undrafted in the 2009 NBA Draft. He totaled collegiate averages of 13.2 points (44.4% FG, 34.1% 3-PT, 79.9% FT), 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.22 steals and 30.2 minutes in 127 games (117 starts) from 2005-09.

Matthews will wear jersey No. 2.