NBA DRAFT 2000 INDEX

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Matthew Nielsen

College: N/A
Height: 6-9
Weight: 200 lbs.
Position: Forward
BirthDate: Feb. 3, 1978
Birthplace: Penrith, Australia

Highlights
Played in Nike Hoop Summit in 1997 and 1998. Led Australia to the Junior World Championship in 1997. In Australia's minor league, called the CBA, he was twice named to All-CBA Team and was named CBA Under-23 Player of the Year.

Highlights: Sydney Kings (National Basketball League)
In 1999-2000, averaged 16.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Had best free throw percentage of his career, hitting 74.6 percent from the line. Blocked 30 shots in 28 games.

In 1998-99, was enjoying best season of career until he suffered a broken foot and missed the final seven games of the season. Finished in the top 10 in the NBL in scoring (20.4 ppg), rebounding (9.2 rpg) and blocked shots (1.3 bpg). He scored the 1,000th point of his career vs. Newcastle on Dec. 26, 1999.

Named 1997 NBL Rookie of the Year while playing first full season for Sydney Kings, averaging 16.4 ppg and 8.3 rpg. Also finished third in voting for NBL's Sixth Man Award that season and was voted his team's Most Improved Player.

Highlights: Nike Hoop Summit
In 1998, scored 23 points and grabbed seven rebounds as the International Select Team defeated the USA Basketball Junior National Select Team, 104-99 in San Antonio. Nielsen's standout performance was overlooked by many due to the 33-point, 14-rebound effort by Germany's Dirk Nowitzki, now a star with the Dallas Mavericks. Nielsen made 6 of 8 shots from the field and went 10-for-14 from the free throw line. Players for the USA Basketball Team included Rashard Lewis (Seattle Supersonics), Al Harrington (Indiana Pacers) and Erick Barkley (St. John's).

In 1997, contributed 14 points and seven rebounds as the International Select Team dropped a 97-90 decision to the USA Basketball Junior National Select Team in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Nielsen hit 4 of 11 shots from the field and 8 of 11 from the free throw line. Among Nielsen's teammates in the 1997 game were Jerome Moiso (UCLA) and Igor Rakocevic (Red Star Belgrade). The USA Basketball Team included Elton Brand and Ron Artest (Chicago Bulls) as well as Larry Hughes (Golden State Warriors) and Baron Davis (Charlotte Hornets).

SEASON	G	FGM	FGA	PCT	FTM	FTA	PCT	REB	AST	PTS	AVG
TOTALS	106	615	1,180	.521	352	506	.696	735	205	1,603	15.1
Three-point field goals: Totals: 21-for-92 (.228)