Michael Ah Matt facts for kids
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 30 November 1942 Townsville, Queensland |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Died | 14 February 1983 (aged 40) |
| Listed weight | 73 kg (161 lb) |
| Career information | |
| Pro career | 1959–1979 |
| Career history | |
| 1959–1979 | South Adelaide Panthers |
Michael Henry George Ah Matt (born November 30, 1942 – died February 14, 1983) was an amazing Indigenous Australian professional basketball player. He was a key member of the Australian national basketball team. He even played for Australia at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
Michael Ah Matt was born in Townsville, Queensland. He grew up in Darwin, Northern Territory. In 1959, he played for the Northern Territory team at the Australian Championships. After that, he moved to Adelaide, South Australia. There, he joined the South Adelaide Panthers team. He played an incredible 588 games for the Panthers over twenty seasons. This was a record at the time!
Playing for Australia
In 1964, Michael Ah Matt was chosen to be part of the Australian team for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. This was a huge achievement for him.
Four years later, in 1968, he again played for the Australian team. They took part in a special tournament to try and qualify for the 1968 Summer Olympics. This tournament was held in Monterrey. Unfortunately, his team did not make it to the Olympics that year.
What people said about him
Darryl Pearce, who was also an Australian Olympian, spoke highly of Michael Ah Matt. He said, "He had an amazing sense of where he was on the court." This means Michael knew exactly where everyone was during a game. Darryl also added, "He could see players where no-one could understand how he could actually pass the ball the way he did." This shows Michael was a very clever player with great passing skills.
Michael Ah Matt passed away on February 14, 1983.
Achievements and Special Recognition
Michael Ah Matt achieved many great things during his life. He is remembered for his skills and contributions to basketball.
- 1964: Michael Ah Matt, along with Adrian Blair and Frank Roberts, made history. They were the first Indigenous Australians to represent Australia at the Olympic Games. This happened at the 1964 Olympics.
- 1994: He was honored by being added to the Aboriginal and Islander Sports Hall of Fame. This hall celebrates amazing Indigenous athletes.
- 2010: Michael Ah Matt was also welcomed into the Australian Basketball Hall of Fame. This is a very special award for basketball players in Australia.
