Kenny Matthews

Kenny Matthews

Personal information
Born	Washington, D.C., U.S.
Listed height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight	185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High school	Dunbar (Washington, D.C.)
College	NC State (1979–1983)
NBA draft	1981: 10th round, 222nd overall pick
Drafted by	Boston Celtics
Position	Guard
Career highlights
Parade All-American (1977) D.C. All-Met High School All-American (1977)
Stats at Basketball Reference

Kenny Matthews is an American former basketball player who gained national attention for his record-setting high school career at Dunbar High School in Washington, D.C., where he was named a Parade All-American in 1977. He went on to play four seasons at NC State University, becoming the team's leading scorer in his senior year, and was selected by the Boston Celtics in the 10th round of the 1981 NBA draft.

High school career

Matthews starred at Dunbar High School, where he was regarded as one of the premier guards in the nation. He set the school’s single-game scoring record with 51 points during the 1976–77 season, a feat that highlighted his explosive scoring ability. His standout play earned him a spot on the 1977 Parade All-American team.

Recognized beyond the local scene, Matthews was profiled by The Washington Post as one of several standout D.C. players making an early impact at the collegiate level. He rose to prominence during Dunbar’s golden era under legendary coach Joe Dean Davidson, whose leadership helped produce some of the city’s top-tier talent. By 1980, Matthews had earned recognition as one of the most accurate shooters in the Atlantic Coast Conference, a reflection of the refined skills he developed under Davidson’s guidance.

Kenny Matthews credited Coach Davidson for being a steady and supportive influence in his life—someone who encouraged balance, lifted his players during tough times, and helped keep them focused both on and off the court.

— DCBasketball.com, "The General"

His 51-point performance remains the Dunbar school single-game scoring record, emblematic of his scoring brilliance and the offensive firepower of that era.

Matthews’s scoring feats set a high bar for future Dunbar athletes and cemented his status among D.C.’s elite. The 1980 Post article highlighting NC State's interest further credited Dunbar’s disciplined system and coaching for shaping Matthews into a polished, high-level competitor.

International exhibition selection

In the spring of 1977, Matthews was selected to represent the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area in an exhibition basketball game against a visiting Soviet junior national team. The event was part of a broader U.S.–Soviet sports exchange program during the Cold War era, designed to showcase elite American high school talent.

Matthews was one of four top high school players who were expected to miss the game due to scheduling conflicts, underscoring the high demand for his participation in postseason events. His selection to compete against an international opponent reflected his reputation as one of the nation's premier prep guards at the time.

College career

Matthews played four seasons at NC State, where he became a regular contributor in the backcourt. He averaged double figures in scoring for three consecutive seasons and gradually improved his assist and rebounding statistics.

A 1978 article in The Washington Post noted Matthews’ performance as a freshman, citing his composure and expanding role within the NC State program.

College career statistics

Legend

GP	Games played	GS	Games started	MPG	Minutes per game
FG%	Field goal percentage	3P%	3-point field goal percentage	FT%	Free throw percentage
RPG	Rebounds per game	APG	Assists per game	SPG	Steals per game
BPG	Blocks per game	PPG	Points per game	Bold	Career high

Season	Team	Conf.	Class	Pos	G	FG	FGA	FG%	FT	FTA	FT%	TRB	AST	STL	BLK	PF	PTS
1977–78	NC State	ACC	Freshman	Guard	31	133	292	.455	59	70	.843	63	24	35	1	73	325
1978–79	NC State	ACC	Sophomore	Guard	30	104	226	.460	34	41	.829	50	24	18	3	59	242
1979–80	NC State	ACC	Junior	Guard	28	98	223	.439	20	31	.645	52	17	16	1	54	216
1980–81	NC State	ACC	Senior	Guard	27	109	243	.449	24	37	.649	63	37	21	0	54	242
Career					116	444	984	.451	137	179	.765	228	102	90	5	240	1,025

Kenny Matthews’ collegiate performance is documented via Sports-Reference.com.

Professional career

Matthews was selected by the Boston Celtics with the 222nd overall pick in the tenth round of the 1981 NBA draft. Although he did not appear in an NBA regular-season game, he went on to play professionally overseas and in domestic semi-professional leagues.

Post-playing career

Following his professional playing career, Matthews remained active in the basketball community as a commentator and analyst. He has appeared on regional sports programs and YouTube channels, offering expert insights on high school and college basketball in Texas and beyond.

In 2023, he was featured on Game Time with Da Goss (Episode 65), where he discussed the UIL state boys basketball tournament and reflected on his experiences as a top high school and collegiate player.

Matthews also became a regular contributor to Friday Night Glory Sports and launched a recurring segment called Kenny Matthews' Weekly Basketball Wrap Up, where he provides weekly commentary on standout performances, team matchups, and player development at the prep and college levels.

Through his analysis and interviews, Matthews continues to engage with emerging basketball talent while sharing insights drawn from his experience as a Parade All-American, NC State standout, and Boston Celtics draft pick.

Awards and honors

Year	Honor	Organization	Ref.
1977	Parade All-American	Parade
1977	D.C. All-Met High School All-American	DCBasketball.com

Media coverage

• The Washington Post reported in the March 12, 1977 article 1976–77 All‑Met Boys Basketball Team that Matthews "had the single‑game high this year with 51 points" and averaged 24 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and five steals per game.

• The Washington Post profiled Matthews in the January 21, 1978 article Washington-Area Basketball Stars Parade Their Skills Across Nation as one of several D.C. players making early impacts at NCAA programs.

• The Washington Post highlighted Matthews's senior season at Dunbar in the March 9, 1978 article Basketball Title Evades Dunbar, which referenced his leadership role and the team's playoff campaign.

• The Washington Post featured Matthews in the April 10, 1980 article Dunbar's Super-Coach Builds Blue-Chip Athletes, quoting NC State coach Norm Sloan who described him as "one of the best pure shooters in the Atlantic Coast Conference."

• The Washington Post reported in the May 1, 1977 article 4 Metro Stars to Miss Soviet Game that Matthews had been selected for an exhibition game against the Soviet junior national team, although he ultimately did not play due to scheduling conflicts.

• The Washington Post spotlighted Matthews as a "speeding bullet" in the July 25, 1980 profile Top Pick? Matthews, a speeding bullet, praising his quickness and potential as an athletic standout with NBA aspirations.

• The Washington Post included retrospective mention of Matthews in the March 8, 1990 article 1989–90 All‑Met Basketball, listing him among historic high school standouts from the D.C. area.

Legacy

Matthews is recognized as one of the most dynamic high school guards to emerge from Washington, D.C. in the 1970s. His record-setting performances at Dunbar and consistent production at NC State solidified his place among the elite players of his era. His selection to the 1977 Parade All-American team placed him in the national spotlight alongside future NBA stars.

Notes

According to a 2024 post on a public fan page, Matthews was a standout contributor to Dunbar’s 1975–76 team, which finished 29–0 and claimed the city championship with a win over DeMatha. He is credited with scoring 51 points in a single high school game and delivering a go-ahead shot during a close 1979 game against North Carolina while at NC State. The post also notes that Matthews was selected by the Boston Celtics in the same NBA Draft class as Danny Ainge, a circumstance that may have limited his opportunity to make the roster.

The same fan source highlights an overseas performance in which Matthews scored 74 points in a professional game in New Zealand, including 16 three-pointers—a mark claimed to be a record among NC State alumni competing professionally.

See also

• Jo Jo Hunter
• Ralph Ledbetter
• Curt Smith (basketball)
• Stacey Robinson
• James "Turk" Tillman
• Joe Holston
• Billy Langloh