Matt Walsh was one of the most colorful players in Florida basketball history.
He dated a Playboy Playmate. He wore his brown, curly hair long,
often drawing the ire of opposing fans throughout the Southeastern
Conference.
often drawing the ire of opposing fans throughout the Southeastern
Conference.
He also hit some big shots in his career, including a bunch of
3-pointers during a 26-point performance that led Florida over Kentucky
in 2005 for its first SEC Tournament title in school history.
3-pointers during a 26-point performance that led Florida over Kentucky
in 2005 for its first SEC Tournament title in school history.
But so far, Walsh hasn’t found a home in the NBA. His NBA career
consists of a bunch of summer league and preseason games and one
regular-season game with the Miami Heat.
consists of a bunch of summer league and preseason games and one
regular-season game with the Miami Heat.
The Heat signed Walsh again this offseason as a free agent. But
they cut him over the weekend in favor of point guard Shaun Livingston,
a former high school phenom who is coming off major knee surgery.
they cut him over the weekend in favor of point guard Shaun Livingston,
a former high school phenom who is coming off major knee surgery.
I always thought that Walsh would find a role with an NBA team
off the bench, because even though he lacked quickness, he has good
size (6-foot-6) for the shooting guard position and showed he could
make clutch shots. Some scouts I know, however, said his chest-high
release negated his height advantage and ability to shoot over
defenders.
off the bench, because even though he lacked quickness, he has good
size (6-foot-6) for the shooting guard position and showed he could
make clutch shots. Some scouts I know, however, said his chest-high
release negated his height advantage and ability to shoot over
defenders.
Could Walsh have benefited from staying for his senior year at
Florida? I wonder how he would, or could have fit in the Fab ‘O4s. Lee
Humphrey was a better fit with that group. He practiced with them more
regularly and worked the two-man game in the post with Joakim Noah and
Al Horford as well as any guard in college basketball.
Florida? I wonder how he would, or could have fit in the Fab ‘O4s. Lee
Humphrey was a better fit with that group. He practiced with them more
regularly and worked the two-man game in the post with Joakim Noah and
Al Horford as well as any guard in college basketball.
Where does Walsh go from here? His agent, Jason Levien, sent a
text message saying that Walsh is looking into options both in the NBA
and overseas. Last season, Walsh played in Spain and did well
financially.
text message saying that Walsh is looking into options both in the NBA
and overseas. Last season, Walsh played in Spain and did well
financially.
On a personal level, I’m pulling for Matt because he’s a good kid
who was never afraid to speak his mind. But as he gets older, it’s only
going to get tougher for him to make his NBA dream a reality.
who was never afraid to speak his mind. But as he gets older, it’s only
going to get tougher for him to make his NBA dream a reality.
