Charles I. Matthews Bio
Charles I. Matthews (born November 15, 1996) is an American professional basketball player for the Memphis Hustle of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Michigan Wolverines and had a brief stint with the Kentucky Wildcats during his freshman year. Matthews was recognized as a 2015 Jordan Brand Classic All-American selection in high school, showcasing his potential early on in his athletic career.
Early Life and Background
Charles Matthews was born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in the Avalon Park Community area. He attended St. Rita of Cascia High School, where he began to take basketball seriously just before his freshman year. Matthews’ early exposure to sports included playing chess, hockey, and the trombone, but basketball became his primary focus. He committed to play for the Kentucky Wildcats during his junior year of high school, being rated as one of the top shooting guards in the national class of 2015. Matthews led his high school team to significant victories, including four consecutive Chicago Catholic League South championships.
Path to Basketball
Matthews’ high school career was marked by impressive statistics, averaging 21.3 points and 6.2 rebounds as a senior. He was selected for the Associated Press’ Class-4A All-State first team and participated in the 2015 Jordan Brand Classic. After graduating, he played for the Kentucky Wildcats during the 2015–16 season, where he averaged 1.7 points and 1.6 rebounds in 36 games. After a medical procedure on his hip, he transferred to the University of Michigan, where he continued to develop his skills and make a name for himself in college basketball.
Charles I. Matthews Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Matthews began his professional career with the Cleveland Charge in the NBA G League after going undrafted in the 2019 NBA Draft. He signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the preseason and joined the Charge for the 2020–21 regular season. He re-signed with the Charge in October 2021 but was waived in January 2022.
Breakthrough (2022–Present)
After his time with the Cleveland Charge, Matthews was acquired by the Memphis Hustle in February 2022. He had a brief stint with the Maine Celtics before joining the Windy City Bulls for the 2022–23 season. In January 2024, he joined BC Luleå in Sweden, marking his first experience playing professionally in Europe. He returned to the Memphis Hustle in February 2025, continuing to build his career in the G League.
Notable Works and Milestones
Matthews was named the USA Basketball 3×3 Tournament MVP in 2014, highlighting his early talent in the sport. His collegiate career included significant achievements, such as being named the West Region Most Outstanding Player during the 2018 NCAA tournament, leading the Michigan Wolverines to the championship game.
Charles I. Matthews Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Matthews has received recognition for his performances, including being selected for various all-conference teams during his college career.
Charles I. Matthews Awards Won
Matthews has achieved notable milestones, including being named the USA Basketball 3×3 Tournament MVP in 2014.
Charles I. Matthews Family
Charles Matthews is the son of Nichole and Charles Matthews. He has an older brother, Dominique, who played for the UIC Flames, and a younger brother, Jordan, who attended St. Rita’s High School.
Personal Life
Matthews co-founded The Players Trunk, a business that appeared on the thirteenth season of Shark Tank, seeking investment for their venture. He and his co-founders declined an offer from Mark Cuban and Kevin Hart during their appearance on the show.