Senior point guard Matt Van Pelt has signed a one year contract to play professionally for the Darwin Uni Rebels located in Darwin, Australia. Van Pelt will depart on June 5th and tentatively plans to return to the states on December 16. Matt is one of only two American players on the roster joining a 6’9 forward from Seattle, Washington.
Darwin is the capital city of the northern territory in Australia and sits right on the ocean. Temperatures range from the low 70’s to the high 90’s all year long.
Matt started in 126 games throughout his collegiate career and led Spring Arbor to 84 victories. He was twice named to the Crossroads League All-Defensive Team.
In March the National Christian College Athletics Association recognized Matt as the Pete Maravich Award Recipient. This is the highest individual honor within the NCCAA. The award which originated in 1990 was named after Pete Maravich, the legendary LSU and NBA basketball Hall-of-Famer. Van Pelt is the 24th recipient and the first in Spring Arbor history.
Matt will graduate this spring with a degree in English and Communications.
“I’m really happy Matt has the opportunity to continue to play the game he is so passionate about. He has put in countless hours and is very deserving,” commented SAU Head Coach Ryan Cottingham.
Van Pelt becomes the first SAU player to play overseas since Rob Boss played two seasons in the Basketiglan Herr Division I League in Sweden in 2010 and 2011.