PROFESSIONAL: Matt was chosen with the 46th pick in the 2002 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies and traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He has played for eight different teams in his career: LA Clippers, Sacramento, New York, Philadelphia, Golden State, Phoenix, Orlando and LA Lakers. Matt was a key contributor to the Warriors success during the 2006-07 season, helping the team advance to the NBA Playoffs after a 13-year hiatus. He scored a career-high 36 points on January 3, 2007 at Memphis and netted 20-plus points on eight occasions overall. Matt registered his first playoff career double-double (16 points and 11 rebounds) in Golden State’s series-clinching victory over the Dallas Mavericks in Game 6 of the First Round. Additionally, he established single-season career-highs in three-point field goals made (106), steals (73) and blocked shots (41). As a member of the 2008-09 Phoenix Suns, he averaged career-best figures in scoring (10.2), rebounding (5.5), assists (2.8) and minutes played (27). During the 2009-10 season, Matt played career-high 81 games with the Orlando Magic and appeared in career-high 14 playoff games.
COLLEGE: Matt became the 43rd player in UCLA history to top the 1,000 point mark. The Bruins advanced to the NCAA Tournament all four years that Matt played on the team, including three straight Sweet Sixteen appearances. As a senior, Matt was selected Second Team All-District 15 by the National Association of Basketball Coaches. He led UCLA in assists (108) and was second in rebounds (192) and steals (35). His junior year Matt earned All-Pac-10 Honorable Mention honors and won a team award for outstanding play.
PHILANTHROPY: In 2008, Matt Barnes established Athletes vs. Cancer in memory of his mother, Ann Barnes, who passed away at age 50 just thirty five days after being diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer. Athletes vs. Cancer was established as an industry-wide fundraising program that unites sports, sports fans and the community in the fight against cancer. Matt launched AVC to the world to get athletes more involved and join together to educate, bring awareness and motivate people to get regular cancer screenings. Through the annual AVC golf tournament and many other fundraisers each year, the foundation’s goal is to raise money to help secure cancer screening vans to visit low-income neighborhoods, give free support research and provide screening opportunities, as well as deliver subsequent support to cancer patients.
PERSONAL: Matthew Kelly Barnes was born on March 9, 1980. He has one brother and one sister. Matt was a two-sport standout at Del Campo High School in Sacramento, starring in football and basketball. He set a state high school record with 21 blocks in one game and was named All-American in football as a senior, leading the nation with 28 touchdowns. Matt’s favorite NFL teams are the San Francisco 49ers and the Philadelphia Eagles. Matt was a history major at UCLA. He and his fiancée Gloria have twin boys, Carter and Isiah.
