Matt Bonner
Matthew Robert Bonner (born April 5, 1980), nicknamed the "Red Rocket," is a retired American professional basketball player who spent 12 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a power forward and center, renowned for his three-point shooting accuracy.[1] Selected by the Chicago Bulls in the second round (45th overall) of the 2003 NBA draft, Bonner's rights were traded to the Toronto Raptors, where he began his career in 2004, appearing in 160 games over two seasons and averaging 7.3 points per game.[2][3] In 2006, he joined the San Antonio Spurs, becoming a key role player on their championship-caliber teams, contributing to NBA titles in 2007 and 2014 while appearing in 632 regular-season games for the franchise.[2][3] Over his entire NBA tenure with the Raptors and Spurs, Bonner played in 792 regular-season games and 94 playoff contests, posting career averages of 5.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game, with a 41.4% three-point shooting percentage on 2.4 attempts per game.[1] A product of the University of Florida, where he helped the Gators reach the NCAA Tournament in all four seasons from 1999 to 2003, Bonner earned a reputation as a reliable teammate and locker-room presence during his pro career.[3] After retiring following the 2015–16 season, he transitioned into broadcasting, initially serving as a studio analyst for the Spurs before joining Sportsnet as a radio co-host for Toronto Raptors coverage in 2024; in 2025, he was inducted into the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association Hall of Fame.[4][5][6]Early Years
Family Background and Upbringing
Matthew Robert Bonner was born on April 5, 1980, in Concord, New Hampshire, making him the only player in NBA history to hail from that city.[7] Bonner grew up in a close-knit, working-class family of Catholic descent, with his father, David Bonner, working as a postal carrier and basketball official, and his mother, Paula Bonner, serving as a special education teacher.[8] The family emphasized hard work and athletics, with both parents standing over six feet tall and actively supporting their children's pursuits in sports.[9] Bonner has two younger siblings: sister Becky, who pursued a successful college basketball career at Boston University after starting at Stanford, and brother Luke, who played professionally in Europe after college stints at West Virginia and UMass.[10][11] From a young age, Bonner was exposed to basketball through local youth programs, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central New Hampshire, where he first joined at age six and developed a passion for the sport.[10] His family's love for basketball provided constant encouragement, with parents who attended games and instilled values of dedication, helping foster his early interest alongside watching NBA games.[12] Bonner demonstrated strong academic performance throughout his schooling in Concord, balancing rigorous studies with athletics and ultimately graduating as valedictorian of Concord High School's class of 1999.[10] This early commitment to education, rooted in his family's priorities, laid the groundwork for his later academic achievements in college.[8]High School Career
Matt Bonner attended Concord High School in Concord, New Hampshire, from 1995 to 1999.[1] During his time there, he emerged as a dominant forward, helping lead the Crimson Tide to three consecutive NHIAA Class L state championships in 1997, 1998, and 1999, compiling an impressive 77–6 record over those seasons.[13] In his senior year of 1998–1999, Bonner averaged 35 points and 14 rebounds per game, contributing to his career total of 2,459 points, the most by any Class L player at the time.[13] He was recognized as New Hampshire Player of the Year for each of his final three seasons (1997–1999), earned the 1999 Gatorade Circle of Champions New England Regional Player of the Year award, and was a finalist for National High School Athlete of the Year.[13][14] Bonner balanced his athletic success with academic excellence, graduating as valedictorian of his class in 1999.[10] His high school performance drew attention from college recruiters, ultimately leading him to commit to the University of Florida, where he continued his basketball career under coach Billy Donovan.[15] In November 2025, Bonner was inducted into the NHIAA Hall of Fame in recognition of his high school accomplishments.[13]College Career
University of Florida Playing Record
Matt Bonner enrolled at the University of Florida in 1999, joining the Gators' basketball team as a walk-on player. Over his four-year career from 1999 to 2003, he progressed from a reserve role in his freshman season to a key starter by his junior and senior years, appearing in 131 games and becoming an integral part of the team's frontcourt rotation. His development showcased his work ethic and shooting prowess, evolving into a reliable scorer and rebounder for the Southeastern Conference (SEC) squad. Bonner's career statistics at Florida highlight his consistent contributions, amassing 1,570 points at an average of 12.0 points per game, 778 rebounds averaging 5.9 per game, and 158 assists (1.2 per game) across his tenure. His scoring peaked during the 2001–02 season, where he averaged 15.6 points per game, leading the team in field goals made and ranking among SEC scorers. In his senior year (2002–03), Bonner averaged 15.2 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, contributing to Florida's 25–8 overall record and second-round appearance in the NCAA Tournament.[16]| Season | Games Played | Points (PPG) | Rebounds (RPG) | Assists (APG) | FG% | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999–00 | 36 | 172 (4.8) | 115 (3.2) | 15 (0.4) | 44.0% | 28.6% |
| 2000–01 | 31 | 412 (13.3) | 239 (7.7) | 47 (1.5) | 51.4% | 38.1% |
| 2001–02 | 31 | 484 (15.6) | 223 (7.2) | 47 (1.5) | 51.3% | 37.1% |
| 2002–03 | 33 | 501 (15.2) | 201 (6.1) | 49 (1.5) | 51.0% | 47.4% |
| Career | 131 | 1,570 (12.0) | 778 (5.9) | 158 (1.2) | 51.0% | 39.8% |
Academic and Team Honors
Matt Bonner exemplified academic excellence throughout his tenure at the University of Florida, graduating in May 2003 with a bachelor's degree in business administration and a 3.96 grade point average.[19] His scholarly achievements earned him recognition as a two-time Academic All-American in 2002 and 2003, including being named the Verizon Academic All-American of the Year for men's basketball in both years.[20] Additionally, Bonner was selected to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Academic Honor Roll multiple times, reflecting his consistent performance in the classroom while maintaining eligibility as a Division I athlete.[21] On the court, Bonner's contributions complemented his academic success, as he was named to the All-SEC First Team in 2003, following a senior season in which he averaged 15.2 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. He earned All-SEC Third Team honors in 2001, Second Team in 2002, and First Team in 2003.[22][16] He played a key role in the Gators' SEC regular season championship teams in 2000 and 2001, helping Florida secure back-to-back shared titles and reach the 2000 NCAA national championship game.[23] These team accomplishments underscored his value as a versatile forward who balanced scoring and rebounding responsibilities, providing essential context for his on-court honors. Bonner's ability to juggle rigorous academics with a demanding basketball schedule highlighted his disciplined approach, as evidenced by his near-perfect GPA amid consistent starting minutes over four seasons.[24] His commitment fostered a team environment that valued intellectual growth alongside athletic prowess, influencing teammates through his example of prioritizing education. In post-graduation reflections, Bonner emphasized how his University of Florida experience instilled a mindset of preparation and resilience, stating that he sought "the best education I could... If basketball didn't work out, I figured I'd have a degree to fall back on," which shaped his professional outlook in the NBA.[25]Professional Basketball Career
Pre-NBA Experience in Italy
After being selected 45th overall in the 2003 NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls and traded to the Toronto Raptors, Bonner did not secure a spot on the Raptors' opening roster and instead signed a one-year contract with Sicilia Messina of Italy's Lega Basket Serie A on September 7, 2003, for the 2003–2004 season.[26][1] In 33 games with Messina, Bonner averaged 19.2 points and 9.3 rebounds per game while shooting 54.4% from the field, demonstrating his adaptation to the physicality of professional basketball and the nuances of international competition.[27] Bonner learned professional routines and honed his skills under European coaching during the stint, though the experience included significant challenges such as cultural adjustment in Messina, including periods without running water.[28] Midway through the season, Sicilia Messina filed for bankruptcy and ceased paying its players, leading many teammates to depart, but Bonner persevered and completed the full campaign, which boosted his visibility and paved the way for an NBA contract with Toronto.[28][29] He returned to the United States in the summer of 2004 following the conclusion of the Italian season.[30]Toronto Raptors Tenure
After spending the 2003-04 season playing professionally in Italy with Sicilia Messina, where he honed his skills as a stretch forward, Matt Bonner signed a one-year, non-guaranteed contract with the Toronto Raptors on September 20, 2004. This deal marked his entry into the NBA following the trade of his draft rights from the Chicago Bulls to Toronto in 2003.[1] In his rookie season of 2004-05, Bonner appeared in all 82 games for the Raptors, providing consistent bench production during a rebuilding year under head coach Sam Mitchell, who took over mid-season and led the team to a 33-49 record.[31] Averaging 7.2 points and 3.5 rebounds per game while shooting 42.4% from three-point range, he earned the nickname "Red Rocket" for his red hair and frequent use of Toronto's public transit system, whose slogan is "Ride the Rocket."[32] One memorable performance came on March 11, 2005, when he scored a then-career-high 21 points in an overtime victory against the Atlanta Hawks.[33] During the 2005-06 sophomore campaign, Bonner continued as a reliable reserve, playing in 78 games and averaging 7.5 points and 3.6 rebounds, with his spot-up shooting and energetic play contributing to the team's spacing needs amid another challenging season that ended 27-55.[1] On June 21, 2006, following the conclusion of the regular season, Bonner was traded to the San Antonio Spurs along with Eric Williams and a future second-round pick in exchange for Rasho Nesterović and cash considerations.[34]San Antonio Spurs Era
Matt Bonner was traded to the San Antonio Spurs from the Toronto Raptors on June 21, 2006, along with Eric Williams and a second-round draft pick, in exchange for center Rasho Nesterović.[35] Under head coach Gregg Popovich, Bonner quickly established himself as a reliable reserve forward, leveraging his three-point shooting to provide spacing in the Spurs' disciplined offensive system.[36] In his debut season of 2006–07, Bonner appeared in 56 games, averaging 4.9 points and 2.8 rebounds per game while shooting 38.3 percent from three-point range.[1] His contributions helped the Spurs capture the NBA championship, defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 4–0 in the Finals for Bonner's first title.[37] Although his playoff minutes were limited to 2.8 per game across nine appearances, his regular-season role as a spot-up shooter complemented the team's core stars.[38] Bonner's performance peaked during the 2009–10 season, where he averaged 7.0 points per game in 65 contests, including a career-high 28 points in a single game against the Utah Jazz on December 7.[39][40] The following year, in 2010–11, he led the NBA in three-point field goal percentage at 45.7 percent on 3.5 attempts per game, earning recognition as one of the league's most efficient long-range shooters from the forward position.[41] These seasons highlighted his growth into a specialized role player, often deployed to stretch defenses and support San Antonio's motion offense. Over his decade with the Spurs, Bonner's responsibilities expanded beyond scoring; he became a locker room leader, valued for his humility, work ethic, and seamless integration into the team's culture of selflessness.[36] He appeared in 632 regular-season games for the franchise, averaging 5.5 points and 3.3 rebounds overall.[42] This longevity culminated in a second championship in 2014, when the Spurs overcame the Miami Heat 4–1 in the Finals; Bonner played in 22 playoff games that year, contributing 1.2 points per game primarily through timely threes.[3][43] On January 6, 2017, Bonner announced his retirement following the 2015–16 season, reflecting on his 10 years with the Spurs as the defining chapter of his professional career.[44]Career Statistics
NBA Regular Season and Playoffs
Matt Bonner's NBA regular season career spanned 12 seasons, during which he appeared in 792 games, averaging 5.8 points and 3.0 rebounds per game while shooting 46.4% from the field and 41.5% from three-point range.[1] During his time with the Toronto Raptors from 2004 to 2006, Bonner played in 160 games, averaging 7.4 points per game. With the San Antonio Spurs from 2006 to 2016, he logged 632 games, averaging 5.5 points per game. His seasonal scoring averages peaked in several years, including 8.0 points per game in the 2007–08 season.[1] In the playoffs, Bonner suited up for 94 games across nine postseason appearances, averaging 2.8 points and 1.7 rebounds per game. A standout performance came in the 2014 NBA Finals, where he averaged 4.0 points per game on 50% three-point shooting as part of the Spurs' championship run.[1] Advanced metrics highlight Bonner's efficiency as a specialist shooter and role player. His true shooting percentage trended upward early in his career before stabilizing, peaking at 61.5% in the 2010–11 season. Minutes per game evolved from over 20 in his initial full seasons with the Raptors and early Spurs years to a consistent bench role of under 15 minutes later, reflecting his transition to a specialized contributor.[1] For context, Bonner's college performance at the University of Florida showed higher volume production prior to his professional career.| Season | Games | PPG | RPG | FG% | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career | 131 | 12.0 | 5.9 | 50.3 | 39.5 |
College Statistics
Matt Bonner concluded his four-year career at the University of Florida with impressive statistical contributions as a forward, appearing in 131 games and accumulating 1,570 points, 778 rebounds, 158 assists, and 64 blocks overall.[16] His per-game averages stood at 12.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 0.5 blocks, reflecting steady development into a reliable scorer and rebounder for the Gators.[16] He shot 50.3% from the field (580-of-1,154) and 39.5% from three-point range (165-of-418), showcasing his efficiency as a stretch forward capable of spacing the floor.[16] Bonner's statistical growth was evident year by year, transitioning from a limited-role freshman to a dominant senior leader. As a freshman in 1999-00, he averaged 4.8 points and 3.2 rebounds across 36 games, primarily off the bench during Florida's Final Four run.[16] His sophomore season (2000-01) marked a breakout, with averages of 13.3 points and 7.7 rebounds in 31 games, including strong contributions in SEC play where he ranked 16th in conference scoring with 411 total points.[16] By his junior year (2001-02), Bonner elevated to 15.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game over 31 appearances, placing 10th in SEC scoring with 484 points and earning second-team All-SEC honors for his consistent output.[16] In his senior campaign (2002-03), he maintained excellence at 15.2 points and 6.1 rebounds in 33 games, leading the Gators in scoring while ranking sixth in the SEC with 501 points and securing first-team All-SEC recognition.[16]| Season | Games | PPG | RPG | APG | BPG | FG% | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999-00 | 36 | 4.8 | 3.2 | 0.4 | 0.3 | .440 | .286 |
| 2000-01 | 31 | 13.3 | 7.7 | 1.5 | 0.4 | .514 | .381 |
| 2001-02 | 31 | 15.6 | 7.2 | 1.5 | 0.7 | .513 | .371 |
| 2002-03 | 33 | 15.2 | 6.1 | 1.5 | 0.6 | .510 | .474 |
| Career | 131 | 12.0 | 5.9 | 1.2 | 0.5 | .503 | .395 |