Mathis Returns for One More Season
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico men’s basketball senior and Lobo record holder Anthony Mathis will return for the 2019-20 season, the program announced Wednesday. Mathis has been granted a season of competition waiver by the NCAA and will return for one more season in Cherry & Silver.
“I am so happy for Anthony,” head coach Paul Weir said. “There hasn’t been a more committed member of our team the past two years and to have him for one more is an absolutely huge boost for our program.”
Mathis remains with the Lobos after breaking the UNM record for most 3-pointers in a single season in 2018-19 and currently ranks fourth in UNM program history for most threes in a career with 222. He concluded last season with 980 career points, just 20 away from becoming the 35th player in Lobo history to reach 1,000 points.
Mathis, a 2019 All-Mountain West Third Team honoree, will also enter the 2019-20 season on a 25-game streak scoring at least one three, ranked fourth in UNM history.
“This is the best news I have ever heard. To be able to come back and truly have a full career here is absolutely a dream come true,” Mathis said. “I can’t thank everyone at UNM and the NCAA enough for making this happen.”
Mathis led the Lobos last season, averaging 14.4 points per game while firing at a clip of 41.6 percent from behind the arc. He led the Mountain West with 3.31 threes per game and finished ranked in the top 35 in the nation in several statistical categories including free-throw percentage (88.8, 13th), 3-point field goals per game (3.31, 20th), total 3-pointers made (106, 26th) and 3-point field goal percentage (41.6, 32nd).
“Anthony is an amazing player but he is an even better person to have helping to put this program back where it belongs,” Weir said. “I am looking forward to the upcoming season and all that we can accomplish with him back for another year.”
Mathis is a two-time All-Mountain West Team honoree, was named to the 2017 NABC Honors Court and earned a spot on the 2016 Academic All-Conference list. He will be a redshirt-senior during the 2019-20 season.