Last Updated on August 7, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Garrison Mathews has carved out an NBA role through his perimeter shooting and willingness to compete on every possession. His ability to space the floor and provide instant energy off the bench has helped him remain a valuable option for teams looking for reliable depth.

Here is detailed information about Garrison Mathews:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Garrison Mathews
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born October 24, 1996
  • Hometown: Franklin, Tennessee, USA
  • Height: 6’5″ (1.96 m)
  • Weight: 215 lbs (98 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6’7″ (2.01 m)
  • Shoe Size: Size 14 (US)
  • Number: #25 (commonly worn in the NBA)
  • Position: Shooting Guard / Small Forward
  • High School: Franklin High School (Franklin, Tennessee)
  • College: Lipscomb University (2015–2019)
  • NBA Draft: Undrafted in 2019 (signed as a free agent by the Washington Wizards)
  • Teams Played For:
    • Washington Wizards (2019–2021)
    • Houston Rockets (2021–2023)
    • Atlanta Hawks (2023–present)
  • Championship Rings: None (as of 2024)
  • Kids: Not publicly documented
  • Siblings: Not widely documented

Player Archetype / Play Style

Garrison Mathews’ player archetype is that of a movement-shooting wing specialist, a floor-spacing guard-wing whose main value comes from perimeter shot-making, off-ball activity, and instant scoring utility. Defensively, he fits best as a competitive team-scheme perimeter defender who plays with effort, chases actions, and holds his position reasonably well, even if his athletic limits keep him from being a true lockdown option. Offensively, his role is clearly built around spot-up shooting, relocation threes, quick-trigger catch-and-fire offense, and low-usage complementary scoring rather than primary creation. Physically, Mathews brings solid wing size at 6-foot-5 and 215 pounds, giving him enough strength to absorb contact while working mostly as a shooting specialist on the perimeter. Altogether, his play style is defined by floor spacing, constant readiness to fire, and straightforward offensive value, making him the kind of role player who can lift a lineup’s shooting gravity without needing the ball for long stretches. (NBA)

Scouting Report

Garrison Mathews forces defenders to account for him the moment he crosses half court because his game is built around constant motion rather than waiting for the ball to find him. He’ll sprint off staggered screens, immediately flow into a relocation after giving the ball up, then cut hard the instant a defender top-locks him, and those subtle counters are what separate him from shooters who simply run patterns. The interesting thing is that his release is only part of the equation. He creates opportunities by never allowing defenders to relax, making them navigate screen after screen until they’re a step behind, and that extra half-second is usually all he needs. When teams chase him aggressively, he’ll put the ball on the floor for one or two dribbles and keep the possession alive with the next pass, but asking him to consistently create against a set defence exposes the limits of his handle and finishing package. Defensively, he competes with more physicality than people often expect from a perimeter specialist, fighting through screens and staying connected to shooters instead of conceding easy catches, although bigger wings can dislodge him on drives and quicker guards can turn the corner if he’s isolated without help. That’s where team context matters. He fits best in offences built around drive-and-kick basketball, DHOs and continuous off-ball movement because every possession becomes a decision for the defence: stay attached to him or help at the rim. Even on nights when the shot isn’t falling, his movement keeps dragging defenders away from the middle of the floor, and that’s an influence that doesn’t always appear in the box score. To me, his role isn’t about shot volume so much as shot gravity. He resembles Duncan Robinson in the way he weaponises relentless off-ball activity to create spacing, while there are similarities to Sam Hauser through his willingness to fire immediately off the catch and punish even the smallest lapse in defensive attention rather than needing plays designed specifically for him.

Sources:

NBA.com — Garrison Mathews | Guard | NBA.com
Basketball-Reference — Garrison Mathews Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more
Last Word On Sports — Veteran Sharpshooting Wing Impresses Pacers, Earns Contract and What It Means Going Forward
ESPN — Garrison Mathews – Indiana Pacers Guard