By: Brandon Warr, Athletics Communication Specialist
For Alex Matthews, the journey from the Permian Basin to professional basketball has taken him farther than he could have imagined.
A 2025 graduate of The University of Texas Permian Basin, Matthews is entering his second season of professional basketball, continuing a journey that has taken him overseas and provided new challenges both on and off the court.
Most recently, Matthews signed with Tkibuli Orbi of Georgia's Superleague based in Tkibuli, Georgia, adding another chapter to a professional career that began after his time with the Falcons.
His first season overseas proved to be a major step forward. Playing for Griffin in Georgia's A League, Matthews appeared in 17 games and averaged an impressive 20.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.9 steals per game. He helped Griffin win the regular season and advance to the league championship game.
His individual performance was equally impressive. Matthews was named Eurobasket.com All-Georgian A League Import Player of the Year, Player of the Year and Forward of the Year.
A native of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, Matthews played for The Ville (Louisville Alumni) during The Basketball Tournament (TBT) this past July and earned the number one spot on SportsCenter's Top 10 for his viral poster dunk.
During the TBT tournament, Matthews averaged 8.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.3 assist, while shooting 47.6% from the field, 50% from three and 100% from the free throw line in the three games he played.
But before the awards, statistics and professional opportunities, Matthews had to adjust to life in an entirely new environment.
"The biggest adjustment was probably finding a new routine for a new place, whether it was sleep schedule or finding foods that work for me," Matthews said.
That adjustment extended beyond basketball. Moving overseas meant learning what to expect from a new country, a new culture and a new way of life.
"The biggest culture shock was not knowing what you were going to get out of that country," Matthews said. "I didn't know if our games would have a lot of people or nobody and how people were outside of basketball."
Despite the uncertainty, Matthews quickly found things to appreciate about his new home.
"The people are just amazing and very welcoming," he said.
And then there was the food. Matthews' favorite discovery has been Khachapuri, a traditional Georgian cheese bread that quickly became a favorite.
While his surroundings changed, his approach to basketball continued to evolve.
Since leaving UTPB, Matthews has developed his game into a more versatile, guard-oriented style. He has become increasingly comfortable coming off ball screens, creating opportunities for teammates and looking to establish himself as a premier scorer.
"My game has evolved into more of a guard coming off ball screens to play make and be a premier scorer," Matthews said.
One of the biggest areas of growth has been his 3-point shooting.
"My 3-point shooting has improved drastically in terms of percentages and volume," Matthews said.
That continued development has helped Matthews transition from college basketball into the professional game, where every player is expected to bring a more complete skill set to the court.
The transition from college to the professional lifestyle has also changed what his days look like.
In college, much of Matthews' time away from basketball was occupied by classes, studying and schoolwork. As a professional, that structure is largely gone.
"It's pretty much the opposite when it comes to free time," Matthews said. "That time that was used for schoolwork in class before, it's just empty time that you have to fill with other things."
For Matthews, that extra time has provided another opportunity for growth. His goal for the next few years is straightforward: continue improving.
"My goal right now is just growth," Matthews said. "Just keep improving my game so that I can get to the higher leagues I believe I can play in."
Even as his career takes him farther from West Texas, Matthews has made sure one thing stays close - UTPB. Whether he's walking through the streets of his new home or working out, Matthews continues to wear his UTPB gear.
"It means a lot," Matthews said of representing UTPB around the world. "I still wear all my UTPB gear everywhere. Whether I'm walking in the street or working out, I'm still repping the Permian Basin, so it's been amazing to represent."
That connection to the Permian Basin is part of what makes his journey especially meaningful.
His first memory of arriving at UTPB, fittingly, involves one of West Texas' defining characteristics: the heat.
"I'd say the heat down there was different," Matthews said. "And believe it or not, when my family and I first got there, our car overheated."
From an overheated car in the West Texas heat to playing professional basketball overseas, Matthews' journey has already covered plenty of ground.
For current Falcons hoping to eventually follow a similar path, Matthews offers advice rooted in what he has learned throughout his own journey.
"Just focus on your journey and not anyone else's," Matthews said. "I've learned that just because someone else may be where you want to be or somewhere better, if you focus too long on other people's paths, you'll miss your own opportunities."
Matthews' professional career is still in its early stages, but his path from UTPB to the international game demonstrates what can happen when development, patience and persistence come together.
Now, as he enters another season overseas, Matthews is focused on the next step — continuing to grow, continuing to improve and continuing to represent the Permian Basin wherever basketball takes him.
