(Saint John, NB): The Saint John Mill Rats are pleased to announce a key signing of 6'4 wing Chris Matthews - pending FIBA clearance.

Matthews is known in basketball circles as a dead-eye shooter and can swing between shooting guard and small forward.

"Chris flat-out has unlimited range and is a also very cerebral player on the court," explained Mill Rats President and General Manager Ian McCarthy. "He has played in some big time environments and we are excited he decided to join our club."

Matthews hails from Washington D.C. and began his college career at Washington State (NCAA-Pac 10) in 2005.  He later transferred and played two season at St. Bonaventure (NCAA-A10) where he averaged 12.6 points per game and 3.0 rebounds while shooting 39% from behind the arc.  As a member of the 'Bonnies' he teamed with Team Canada member and Orlando Magic forward, Andrew Nicholson.

Since college Matthews has played abroad in France, Mexico, Iceland as well as in the NBA Development League, the Premier Basketball League, and the Eastern Basketball Association.

To catch a preview of Matthews shooting stroke, check out his workout video below:

Matthews is the third player signing announced this season for the Mill Rats.  Here is the roster breakdown to date:

Signed:

Ashton Smith 6'2 Guard Indiana University of PA

Doug Herring Jr. 6'3 Guard Utica College

Chris Matthews 6'4 Wing St. Bonaventure

Draft Picks:

Mike Luby 6'11 Centre Brock University

Doug Louis 6'5 Wing Kingsborough CC

Alex Jackson 6'6 Forward St. Louis-Missouri

Protected List:

Anthony Anderson 5'11 Guard Massachusetts

Jerice Crouch 6'0 Point Guard Tennessee-Chattanooga

Kenny Jones 6'6 Forward Kentucky State

Kevin Francis 6'7 Forward Cleveland State

Sheray Thomas 6'9 Centre-PF Kentucky

2012-13 Season Ticket Holders will have until September 15th to purchase their same seats for the upcoming season.  All unsold seats from last season are open for the public to purchase as season tickets now.  To buy or inquire about season tickets please contact Julia Higgins at the Mill Rats Fan Zone located in Brunswick Square or contact the Harbour Station Box Office or call 506-657-1234.

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For more information, visit www.millratsbasketball.ca or email hoops@millratsbasketball.ca.   

The Saint John Mill Rats are part of the National Basketball League of Canada.

National Basketball League of Canada founded in 2011, is a Canada's only professional basketball league. There are currently 10 teams, with 2 divisions: Central and Atlantic. The NBLC is committed to being one of the leading professional basketball leagues in the world. The NBLC provides Canadians, international athletes, coaches and officials the opportunity to participate in the game they love at the professional level. The NBLC is dedicated to raising awareness of the sport of basketball throughout Canada, by providing fans with an exciting and entertaining

experience.

For more information on the league, please visit www.nblcanada.ca

Media Contact:

Apryll Stansfield             

Media Relations, Saint John Mill Rats

Phone: 1.506.214.4454

E-mail: astansfield@millratsbasketball.ca