Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball Product Now Wears G League Scoring Crown

Former Duke basketball forward Matthew Hurt continues his sizzle for the Hustle.

Matt Giles

Photo credit: Chris Day-USA TODAY NETWORK
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On Saturday night, less than two weeks after posting a career-high 36 points, Memphis Hustle stretch-four Matthew Hurt scored a game-high 35, albeit in a 126-124 home loss to the Santa Cruz Warriors. The 2019-21 Duke basketball bucket-getter shot 13-for-22 from the field, 4-for-5 beyond the arc, and 3-for-3 at the line.

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Those numbers alone are impressive. But he also notched a double-double by adding a career-high 14 rebounds, along with four assists across his 36 minutes on the floor.

Now, as of Sunday, just a few months since breaking his hand, Hurt boasts the top scoring average in the G League at 25.5 points per game through his 11 outings.

The Hustle praised him on social media for snagging that title. Then, the Duke basketball account followed suit, giving three "fist bump" emojis to the sharpshooting Hurt, who has knocked down 50.6 percent of his 3-point attempts while averaging 3.5 makes from deep per game in his third year as a pro since going undrafted in 2021.

And Matthew Hurt's father, Rich Hurt, posted his admittedly "biased" endorsement, pointing out that it's "unbelievable" the former five-star Minnesota prep, now 23 years old and without a single NBA appearance to his name, is not yet on the big stage:

"I'm his dad, so of course I'm biased, but…It’s unbelievable to me that no one has moved to sign him! Look at the numbers, yes, but more importantly watch the film! The 1/3 & 1/18 games in particular. I've coached for a long time…whoever chooses to sign him will get a great one!"

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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