By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Garrison Mathews is headed to Italy after inking a deal with Armani Olimpia Milan for the upcoming 2026–27 EuroLeague season. His move aligns with an initial Eurohoops report revealing that the 29-year-old sharpshooter was closing in on a contract with the Italian powerhouse. The transition marks a major new chapter for the veteran guard, concluding a solid seven-year stint in the NBA.
Mathews expressed profound excitement about taking his elite shooting talent overseas, a professional path he had not originally anticipated. “I’m excited about the opportunity,” he recently shared with local media. “I didn’t think I’d ever play [overseas], but I got a couple calls with some great offers that were too hard to pass up.”
This decision follows a challenging stretch in the NBA, where he most recently completed a 15-game stint with the Indiana Pacers in his 2025–26 journey after spending the prior three seasons with the Atlanta Hawks. Reflecting on his final months in the league, Mathews explained that despite starting strongly in Atlanta, he was unexpectedly benched for the final two months of the season. While that situation did not work out as intended, this European venture serves as a strategic reset, with an ultimate goal to showcase his skills in the EuroLeague and eventually earn another opportunity on an NBA roster.
The squad, coached by Peppe Poeta, has been highly active during the ongoing offseason. Milan has already officially welcomed additions like Moses Wright, R.J. Cole, Nicola Akele, and Alec Peters, though they have yet to formally confirm the arrival of the veteran of 332 NBA games and former Lipscomb standout.
Once settled, the American guard will find a very familiar face in the Italian backcourt when he pairs up with fellow Tennessee native Darius Thompson. Mathews recalled their high school matchups with a laugh, noting that Thompson’s team used to beat him back in their prep days. Now, he is eagerly looking forward to sharing the court with his former rival, emphasizing that joining forces in Milan will be a positive step forward for both players.
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