Mathiang Muo

Mathiang Muo
No. 23 – Hobart Chargers
Position Shooting guard / Small forward
League SEABL
Personal information
Born (1987-03-04) 4 March 1987
Khartoum, Sudan
Nationality Australian / Sudanese
Listed height 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Listed weight 210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school The Winchendon School
(Winchendon, Massachusetts)
The Patterson School
(Lenoir, North Carolina)
College
NBA draft 2013 / Undrafted
Playing career 2013–present
Career history
2013–2015 Perth Wildcats
2014 East Perth Eagles
2015 Goldfields Giants
2016 Brisbane Spartans
2017–present Hobart Chargers
Career highlights and awards

Mathiang Mauot Muo (born 4 March 1987)[1] is an Australian-Sudanese professional basketball player for the Hobart Chargers of the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL). The 6'5" swingman graduated from Charleston Southern University in 2013 before joining the Perth Wildcats of the National Basketball League (NBL). Due to injury, he managed just 15 games for the Wildcats over two seasons. Muo has also had stints in the State Basketball League (SBL) for the East Perth Eagles and Goldfields Giants, and played for the SEABL's Brisbane Spartans in 2016.

Early life

Muo was born in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum, a city in the heart of the Sudanese civil war in the 1990s.[2] To help himself and his family survive, Muo worked as a domestic cleaner, earning three dollars a day at the age of 10, leaving home for two-month stints before returning to spend a week with his family. In 1998, at the age of 11, Muo, along with six siblings and his mother, Elizabeth, escaped to Egypt as refugees. The family enrolled in a refugee lottery while in Egypt and waited two years to find a new destination.[3] Eventually, Muo's family were given the chance to come to Australia on humanitarian visas, moving to Sydney, where he and his family were able to settle down.[4] Upon arrival in Sydney, Muo began formal education at the age of 13. He spent the first two years in extensive English training and enrolled in high school.[3]

While living in Sydney as a teenager, Muo starting playing basketball for the first time in a local park. As he began to love the sport and realising his natural talent, Muo decided to take the game seriously, partly as a way to keep himself out of trouble.[4] Muo's talents were recognised by a local basketball training centre called Next Level Basketball. Muo was introduced to coach Edward Smith and his game began to take off. A few years later, Next Level began taking one trip a year to showcase tournaments in the United States as a way to promote and expose the better players to college programs. It was a trip to Las Vegas when Muo was 18 that changed his life forever after his performances drew plenty of attention. In 2005, Muo attempted to finish high school in Florida at Florida Prep but the school went bankrupt before he could graduate.[3] He subsequently moved to The Winchendon School in Boston but left when he realised the coach, who had links to the University of Massachusetts, was telling other colleges not to recruit him. He then moved to The Patterson School in Lenoir, North Carolina, where he finally graduated high school.[4]

College career

Though he received a diploma, Muo did not qualify through the NCAA Clearinghouse and instead attended Quinnipiac University as an international student for one year. He improved his grades enough to qualify and accepted a basketball scholarship worth $60,000 with Northeastern University in 2009,[3] and joined the university's Division 1 college basketball team.[4] As a freshman playing for the Huskies in 2009–10, Muo played 29 games (one start) and averaged 1.8 points and 1.2 rebounds in 8.5 minutes per game.[5][6]

In 2010, Northeastern University decided Muo did not meet its academic standards and rescinded his scholarship.[3] He subsequently moved to the College of Central Florida, where he played 29 games as a sophomore in 2010–11.[4] In those 29 games, he averaged 13.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per game.[7]

In 2011, Muo once again moved colleges, this time landing at Charleston Southern University and joined the Buccaneers men's basketball team. Playing for CSU, Muo's talent began to shine.[4] As a junior in 2011–12, he played 31 games and started all of them, recording averages of 9.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 27.0 minutes per game.[6] As a senior in 2012–13, he became one of the best shooters in school history and the second-best shooter in the league, as he shot 41.2% from the three-point line.[4] In 28 games (26 starts), he averaged 11.2 points and 5.1 rebounds in 29.8 minutes per game.[6]

College statistics

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2009–10 Northeastern 2918.5.313.318.7141.2.2.3.11.8
2010–11 Central Florida CC 29––.488.448.7034.0.9.7.213.2
2011–12 Charleston Southern 313127.0.422.435.8094.01.0.7.39.8
2012–13 Charleston Southern 282629.8.385.412.7645.1.7.7.111.2

Professional career

Perth Wildcats (2013–2015)

Injury struck (2013–14)

On 7 June 2013, Muo signed a three-year deal with the Perth Wildcats of the National Basketball League.[8][9] However, on 13 August 2013, he suffered a tear to his left Achilles tendon during the second official training session of the team's pre-season schedule.[10] He was subsequently ruled out for the entire 2013–14 season.[11] He worked tirelessly throughout his rehabilitation program,[12] a strict program that lasted nine months.[13] He attended every training session throughout the 2013–14 season and remained a big part of the Wildcats playing group, and watched on as his team won the NBL Championship in April 2014.[14][15]

2014 off-season

On 16 May 2014, Muo joined the East Perth Eagles of the State Basketball League for the rest of the 2014 season.[14] He made his debut for the Eagles the following day in a 97–68 win over the South West Slammers.[13] In 18 minutes of court time, he recorded eight points and four rebounds despite shooting just 3-of-12 from the floor and 2-of-9 from downtown.[16] Muo helped the Eagles finish the regular season in seventh place with a 14–12 record. They went on to advance through to the SBL Grand Final, where they faced the Geraldton Buccaneers. Muo had 12 points in the championship decider, helping the Eagles defeat the Buccaneers 99–83 to claim their first ever SBL Championship.[17] In 17 games for the Eagles, he averaged 13.4 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.[18]

On 5 September 2014, Muo took to the court for the first time in a Wildcats singlet, playing in a pre-season game against the SBL All-Stars. He showed signs of being able to make an impact at NBL level, finishing with seven points in 18 minutes of court time in Perth's 98–59 win.[19] Four days later however, the Wildcats opted not to register Muo's contract with the NBL for the 2014–15 season.[20][21] He continued to train with the team while exploring opportunities elsewhere; the Wollongong Hawks were reportedly on the radar at the time of his release.[20][22] Later that month, he travelled with the team to Brisbane for the 2014 NBL Pre-season Blitz, and on 18 September 2014, he replaced Earnest Ross in the line-up for the Wildcats' pre-season exhibition match against the Sydney Kings.[23]

Injury-replacement player (2014–15)

Days after the Wildcats' season-opening home loss to the New Zealand Breakers, back-up forward Greg Hire sustained a calf injury that ruled him out for six weeks.[24] As a result, the Wildcats elevated Muo into the team on a short term injury-replacement contract.[25][26] He went on to make his long-awaited NBL debut on 17 October 2014 in the Wildcats' 69–59 win over the Wollongong Hawks, recording one turnover in just under two minutes of action.[27] Seven days later, he recorded his first career points in the Wildcats' 84–63 win over the Sydney Kings. He finished the game with 3 points on 1-of-3 shooting.[28] On 9 November 2014, Muo was a spark off the bench for the Wildcats against Melbourne United. Coming on late in the second quarter, he scored 11 points to finish the half and gave the Wildcats a much needed boost, going into half time with a 41–28 lead.[29] The Wildcats held on to the lead in the second half as they won the game 68–59.[30][31]

On 15 January 2015, Muo's contract was deactivated following Hire's return from injury.[32] He continued to train with the Wildcats for the rest of the season.[33] In 15 games for the Wildcats, Muo averaged 1.9 points per game.[34]

Goldfields Giants (2015)

On 24 March 2015, Muo signed with the Goldfields Giants for the rest of the 2015 State Basketball League season.[35][36] Four days later, he made his debut for the Giants, recording 31 points, 17 rebounds, four assists and three steals in a 111–101 loss to the Joondalup Wolves.[37][38] On 16 May, he scored a season-high 34 points in a 120–92 win over the Mandurah Magic.[39] Despite starting the season losing their first eight games, the Giants surged mid-season to win 14 of their final 18 games, finishing in seventh place with a 14–12 record. The Giants' big three of Muo, Jay Bowie and Jacob Holmen helped the team reach the finals for the first time in three years.[40] The Giants went on to sweep the Geraldton Buccaneers in the quarter-finals,[41] before losing in straight sets to the South West Slammers in the semi-finals. In 26 games for the Giants in 2015, he averaged 21.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.7 steals per game.[42]

Brisbane Spartans (2016)

On 25 February 2016, Muo signed with the Brisbane Spartans for the 2016 SEABL season.[43] He made his debut for the Spartans in the team's season opener on 1 April, recording game highs of 25 points and 11 rebounds in a 73–55 loss to the Geelong Supercats.[44] On 30 April, he scored a season-high 33 points in a 114–71 win over the Sandringham Sabres.[45] He subsequently earned Player of the Week honours for Round 5.[46] On 30 July, he had his second-best scoring performance of the season with 31 points in a 93–81 win over the Albury Wodonga Bandits.[47] He subsequently earned Player of the Week honours for Round 17.[48] The Spartans finished the regular season with a 15–9 record, good for second in the East Conference. Muo helped the Spartans earn a playoff berth for the first time in five years.[49] The Spartans lost their semi-final contest against the first-seeded Bendigo Braves, and then lost their preliminary final match-up with the Nunawading Spectres to bow out of the playoffs with back-to-back losses. In 25 games for the Spartans in 2016, he averaged 18.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.[50]

On 29 August 2016, Muo suited up for the Brisbane Bullets in their pre-season clash against the UCLA Bruins.[51] The following month, he travelled with the Bullets to New Zealand for pre-season clashes against the New Zealand Breakers.[52] He also competed with the Bullets during the Australian Basketball Challenge, the NBL's official pre-season tournament.[53][54]

Hobart Chargers (2017–present)

In January 2017, Muo signed with the Hobart Chargers for the 2017 season, returning to the SEABL for a second stint.[55] He made his debut for the Chargers in their season opener on 25 March, recording 28 points and 10 rebounds in a 98–41 win over the North-West Tasmania Thunder.[56][57] On 30 April, he scored 32 points against the Kilsyth Cobras.[58] On 12 May, he scored 35 points against the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence.[58] On 19 May, he scored a season-high 38 points in a 117–82 win over the Dandenong Rangers.[59] He subsequently earned Player of the Week honours for Round 8.[60] The Chargers finished the regular season as the second seed in the South Conference with a 16–8 record. On 18 August, the Chargers were knocked out of the playoffs with a 105–98 loss to the Dandenong Rangers in the South Conference Preliminary Final,[61] despite an 18-point effort from Muo.[62] In 25 games for the Chargers in 2017, he averaged 22.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.0 steals per game.[58]

On 29 November 2017, Muo re-signed with the Chargers for the 2018 season.[63][64] He missed a month of action between late May and late June due to a calf injury.[65][66][67] On 20 July, he scored a season-high 31 points in a 104–63 win over the North-West Tasmania Thunder.[68] The Chargers finished the regular season in third place with a 15–5 record. They went on to reach the SEABL Grand Final, where they defeated the Nunawading Spectres 72–58 behind Muo's MVP performance of 20 points and 14 rebounds.[69][70]

National team career

In July 2016, Muo was selected to represent South Sudan in the first World Indigenous Basketball Challenge.[71] The 16-team tournament was held in Vancouver, Canada from August 10–13. Muo helped South Sudan reach the championship game, where they defeated Lords of the Plains 98–91 to complete a 4–0 run. As a result, Muo was named tournament MVP.[72][73]

In March 2017, Muo represented South Sudan in their debut at the Afro Basket Zone Five qualifiers in Cairo, Egypt. In their fifth/sixth playoff game against Kenya, Muo scored 34 points.[74]

References

  1. ↑ "Mathiang Mauot MUO". FIBA.com. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
  2. ↑ Robinson, Chris (19 July 2013). "New recruit Mathiang Muo excited to join Perth Wildcats". HeraldSun.com.au. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Shelton, David (23 December 2011). "From Sudan to Charleston Southern: Buccaneers standout Mathiang Muo a survivor". PostandCourier.com. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Hopkin, Michael (9 October 2013). "From war-torn Sudan to the Perth Arena: Meet the Wildcats' newest recruit, Mathiang Muo". SMH.com.au. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
  5. ↑ "Mathiang Muo – 2009–10 Men's Basketball". GoNU.com. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
  6. 1 2 3 "#23 Mathiang Muo". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved 17 August 2015.
  7. ↑ "2010–11 – NJCAA Stats – Mathiang Muo". NJCAA.org. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  8. ↑ "Perth Wildcats sign Mathiang Muo". Wildcats.com.au. 7 June 2013. Archived from the original on 18 October 2014.
  9. ↑ "Perth Wildcats sign little-known guard Mathiang Muo for next three years". HeraldSun.com.au. 7 June 2013. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  10. ↑ Robinson, Chris (14 August 2013). "Perth Wildcats recruit Mathiang Muo recruit out for season after tearing achilles". HeraldSun.com.au. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  11. ↑ "Mathiang Muo ruled out for season". Wildcats.com.au. 14 August 2013. Archived from the original on 18 October 2014.
  12. ↑ Hope, Shayne (10 September 2014). "Wildcats sign rookie to replace Muo". TheWest.com.au. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  13. 1 2 Hope, Shayne (17 May 2014). "Gentle steps for Muo in SBL". TheWest.com.au. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  14. 1 2 "Mathiang Muo to finally play". Wildcats.com.au. 16 May 2014. Archived from the original on 18 October 2014.
  15. ↑ "GF Report: Perth thrash 36ers, claim sixth title". NBL.com.au. 13 April 2014. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014.
  16. ↑ Pike, Chris (18 May 2014). "Doubles for Flames, Senators, Magic (Week 10 Saturday night SBL wrap)". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  17. ↑ Pike, Chris (30 August 2014). "East Perth Eagles win first men's SBL championship". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  18. ↑ "Player statistics for Mathiang Muo". FoxSportsPulse.com. Archived from the original on 22 October 2014.
  19. ↑ Robinson, Chris (6 September 2014). "Forgotten Perth Wildcats guard Mathiang Muo makes club debut after achilles injury". PerthNow.com.au. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  20. 1 2 Hope, Shayne (9 September 2014). "Muo a no-go for Wildcats". TheWest.com.au. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  21. ↑ McAuliffe, Hugh (9 September 2014). "Wildcats part ways with Mathiang Muo". Australiabasket.com. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
  22. ↑ Hope, Shayne (10 September 2014). "Wildcats sign rookie to replace Muo". TheWest.com.au. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  23. ↑ Hope, Shayne (19 September 2014). "Knight haul in vain for Wildcats". TheWest.com.au. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  24. ↑ Robinson, Chris (15 October 2014). "Forgotten Perth Wildcat Mathiang Muo finally gets his chance at NBL level". PerthNow.com.au. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  25. ↑ "Mathiang Muo to, finally, debut". Wildcats.com.au. 15 October 2014. Archived from the original on 18 October 2014.
  26. ↑ Hope, Shayne (16 October 2014). "Muo wild about reprieve". TheWest.com.au. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  27. ↑ "Wildcats vs Hawks". FIBALiveStats.com. 17 October 2014. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
  28. ↑ "Wildcats vs Kings". FIBALiveStats.com. 24 October 2014. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  29. ↑ "Perth Wildcats Vs Melbourne United Highlights - 9 November 2014". YouTube.com. 9 November 2014. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
  30. ↑ "Perth Wildcats defeat Melbourne United at Perth Arena". Wildcats.com.au. 9 November 2014. Archived from the original on 9 November 2014.
  31. ↑ "Wildcats vs United". FIBALiveStats.com. 9 November 2014. Retrieved 9 November 2014.
  32. ↑ "Perth Wildcats thank Mathiang Muo". Wildcats.com.au. 15 January 2015. Archived from the original on 16 January 2015.
  33. ↑ Rynne, Nick (16 January 2015). "Wildcats sweat on recruit". TheWest.com.au. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  34. ↑ "Player statistics for Mathiang Muo". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  35. ↑ "Giants Sign Former Wildcat". GoldfieldsGiants.com. 24 March 2015. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015.
  36. ↑ McAuliffe, Hugh (24 March 2015). "Giants sign Mathiang Muo". Australiabasket.com. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
  37. ↑ "Giants vs Wolves". FIBALiveStats.com. 28 March 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  38. ↑ Pike, Chris (29 March 2015). "Lady Hawks suffer first loss; men record first win (Week 3 Saturday night SBL wrap)". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  39. ↑ Exell, Mike (18 May 2015). "Giants find the Magic touch". TheWest.com.au. Kalgoorlie Miner. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  40. ↑ Pike, Chris (16 July 2015). "Giants hunger behind them securing a return to playoffs". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  41. ↑ Pike, Chris (14 August 2015). "Red hot Giants excited for challenge of Slammers in semis". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  42. ↑ "Career Statistics (Giants games only)". GoldfieldsGiants.com. Archived from the original on 1 February 2016.
  43. ↑ "Brisbane Spartans sign former Wildcat". SportsTG.com. 25 February 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  44. ↑ "Supercats vs Spartans". SportsTG.com. 1 April 2016. Archived from the original on 29 August 2016.
  45. ↑ "Sabres vs Spartans". FIBALiveStats.com. 30 April 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  46. ↑ "ROUND 5 PLAYERS OF THE WEEK". SEABL.com.au. 4 May 2016. Archived from the original on 16 March 2017. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  47. ↑ "Sabres vs Bandits". FIBALiveStats.com. 30 July 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
  48. ↑ "ROUND 17 PLAYERS OF THE WEEK". SEABL.com.au. 2 August 2016. Archived from the original on 6 April 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  49. ↑ "EAST CONFERENCE MEN- SEMI FINAL PREVIEW". SEABL.com.au. 19 August 2016. Archived from the original on 26 March 2017. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  50. ↑ "Player statistics for Mathiang Muo". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 29 August 2016.
  51. ↑ "BULLETS PREPARED FOR MILESTONE MOMENT". BrisbaneBullets.com.au. 29 August 2016. Archived from the original on 29 August 2016.
  52. ↑ "BULLETS READY TO CROSS THE DITCH". BrisbaneBullets.com.au. 9 September 2016. Archived from the original on 14 September 2016.
  53. ↑ "Kings vs Bullets". FIBALiveStats.com. 24 September 2016. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  54. ↑ "Bullets vs Taipans". FIBALiveStats.com. 26 September 2016. Retrieved 26 September 2016.
  55. ↑ Smith, Adam (6 January 2017). "Hobart Chargers ready to turn on the power ahead of 2017 SEABL season". TheMercury.com.au. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
  56. ↑ "Chargers vs Thunder". FIBALiveStats.com. 25 March 2017. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  57. ↑ Smith, Adam (26 March 2017). "Thunder no match for hot Chargers". TheMercury.com.au. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  58. 1 2 3 "Player statistics for Mathiang Muo". SportsTG.com. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  59. ↑ "Chargers vs Rangers". FIBALiveStats.com. 19 May 2017. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  60. ↑ "ROUND 8 PLAYER OF THE WEEK- MATHIANG MUO". SEABL.com.au. 22 May 2017. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  61. ↑ "PRELIMINARY FINALS PREVIEW- MEN'S". SEABL.com.au. 17 August 2017. Retrieved 18 August 2017.
  62. ↑ "Chargers vs Rangers". FIBALiveStats.com. 18 August 2017. Retrieved 18 August 2017.
  63. ↑ Hobart Chargers (29 November 2017). "But wait, there's more... double the joy..." Twitter. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  64. ↑ Smith, Adam (29 November 2017). "Hobart men and women lock away two important signings for next SEABL campaign". TheMercury.com.au. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  65. ↑ Adam Smith (25 May 2018). "What a night from @CraigyMoller_9! With..." Twitter. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  66. ↑ Brent Costelloe (28 June 2018). "WATCH: Two of our state's @SEABL..." Twitter. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  67. ↑ Mercury Sport (29 June 2018). "Revenge on the menu for hungry Chargers..." Twitter. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  68. ↑ "Chargers vs Thunder". FIBALiveStats.com. 20 July 2018. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
  69. ↑ "Spectres vs Chargers". FIBALiveStats.com. 18 August 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  70. ↑ "HOBART CHARGERS' DEFENCE SEES THEM WIN 2018 GRAND FINAL". SEABL.com.au. 18 August 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  71. ↑ Nagy, Boti (22 July 2016). "Aussie basketball pair Majok Majok and Mathiang Muo to suit for South Sudan at World Indigenous Challenge". AdelaideNow.com.au. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
  72. ↑ Kaipust, Rich (18 August 2016). "Former Omaha South player Duol Mayot helps South Sudan win tournament". Omaha.com. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  73. ↑ "World Indigenous Basketball Challenge 2016". haidanation.wordpress.com. 1 September 2016. Archived from the original on 1 December 2016.
  74. ↑ Evans, Ronnie (18 March 2017). "Egypt ejects Kenya out of Afro Basket Zone Five qualifier". sportsnewsarena.com. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
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