Wisconsin High School Sports | Wisconsin Sports Network | WisSports.net

The WSN15 series will celebrate the 15th Anniversary of WisSports.net by looking back at the top players, teams, and moments of the past 15 years (2003-2017). 

The WSN15 boys' basketball series continues with the Top 15 Players of the WSN Era.

Wesley Matthews did not start out as a big-time star at Madison Memorial High School. 

Oh sure, people around the state new his name, thanks in large part to his father, Wes Matthews, who played at the University of Wisconsin and later in the National Basketball Association.

But Matthews came off the bench as a freshman for the varsity squad at Madison Memorial. He contributed but was anything but a star as the Spartans went 15-6 record under coach Steve Collins. 

Matthews blossomed a bit as a sophomore, averaging around 14 points while helping Memorial to a 19-4 mark and a second-place finish in the Big Eight Conference.

As a junior, Matthews continued his slow but steady progression, averaging 15.8 ppg and leading the Spartans to the first WIAA State Tournament appearance in school history. Madison Memorial lost to Milwaukee King 75-58 in the Division 1 title game to end a 25-1 season. Matthews had eight points and four rebounds in the game.

As a senior in 2004-05, Matthews grew a bit and entered the season at 6-foot-5 and around 190 pounds. He turned in a terrific final campaign at Madison Memorial, averaging 22.5 points while helping the Spartans to a 24-2 record.

In the state-title game against Milwaukee Vincent, Matthews scored 29 points and snared 10 rebounds as the Spartans captured their first boys' basketball state championship with a convincing 63-55 victory.

Matthews was chosen as the Player of the Year in the state by the Associated Press and also earned the Mr. Basketball award from the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association.

He went on to star at Marquette University, where he scored 1,673 points in four years while playing in 127 games. Matthews averaged 13.2 ppg at Marquette, including 18.3 ppg as a senior.

Though he was not selected in the 2010 NBA Draft, Matthews signed as a free agent with the Utah Jazz and went on to average 9.4 points and 2.1 rebounds for coach Jerry Sloan and the Jazz.

Matthews currently is in his ninth season in the NBA and has scored 9,059 career points with the Jazz, Portland Trail Blazers and Dallas Mavericks. He has made 1,405 career three-point shots, which is remarkable since perimeter shooting was considered a weakness coming out of high school.

Matthews earned just under $18 million this year with the Mavericks and, at 31, figures to be in the league for the foreseeable future, barring serious injury.

WSN15 Top Players Countdown:

#15 - J.P. Tokoto, Menomonee Falls
#14 - Keaton Nankivil, Madison Memorial
#13 - Trev Anderson, Stevens Point
#12 - Sam Hauser, Stevens Point
#11 - Bronson Koenig, Aquinas
#10 - Jerry Smith, Wauwatosa East
#9 - Tyler Herro, Whitnall
#8 - Jordan McCabe, Kaukauna
#7 - Jeronne Maymon, Madison Memorial
#6 - Wesley Matthews, Madison Memorial
#5 - Coming Soon...
#4 - Coming Soon...
#3 - Coming Soon...
#2 - Coming Soon...
#1 - Coming Soon...

For the latest and most up to date boys' basketball news and recruiting information, follow Mark on Twitter @wisbbyearbook. Email story ideas, recruiting info, etc. to Mark by clicking here.