====== Matt Cross ======
  * **Player**
  * **Seasons:** [[season_2022-23|2022-23]], [[season_2023-24|2023-24]]
  * **Number:** 33
  * **Position:** F
  * **Height:** 6' 7"
  * **Weight:** 230
  * **Hometown:** [[wp>Beverly, Massachusetts|Beverly MA]]
  * **High School:** [[wp>St. Mary's High School (Lynn, Massachusetts)|St. Mary’s High School]] (Lynn MA)
  * **Prep School:** [[wp>Brewster Academy]] (2019-20), [[wp>Woodstock Academy]] (2018-19), [[wp>Cushing Academy]] (2017-18)
  * **Transfer From:** [[opponent_louisville|Louisville]]
  * **Transfer To:** [[wp>SMU Mustangs men's basketball|SMU]]
  * **Birthday:** February 21, 2001((https://gocards.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/matt-cross/12119))

===== At UMass =====
{{ :cross_matt_roster_photo_final_2023-24.jpg?nolink&140|Matt Cross final roster photo 2023-24}}
  * Committed to UMass on 4/25/22.((https://www.instagram.com/p/Ccyb8YDpOpR/))  UMass made it official on 5/10.((https://twitter.com/UMassMBB/status/1524053978392182785))
  * Cross requested a waiver to the usual NCAA transfer rules after leaving Louisville, and it was granted, making him eligible to play for us in 2022-23.((https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/status/1557374460080144385))
  * [[https://umassathletics.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/matt-cross/14563|Roster page at UMassAthletics.com]]
  * Entered the transfer portal on 4/16/24.((https://x.com/JamieShaw5/status/1780287589737537825))((https://instagram.com/p/C6u4IiXsuHT/))  [[frank_martin|Coach Martin]] encouraged him to capture a larger NIL offer.((https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpURx1eh2uY))
  * Was an NIL partner with The Mass Collective((https://www.themasscollective.com/matt-cross)).  Deal terminated upon entry into the transfer portal((per prior statements from The Mass Co about their deals))
  * Graduated in May 2024((https://x.com/coachFMartin/status/1791472266070434120))

==== 2023-24 Season ====
  * **[[Atlantic 10]] First Team**((https://umassathletics.com/news/2024/3/12/mens-basketball-four-minutemen-named-to-atlantic-10-end-of-year-awards))
  * Played in 28 of the season's 31 games, missing 3 to an ankle injury.  Started 27, the one exception after the ankle injury
  * Put up career bests of 15.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg
  * Led the team in both rebounding and steals, in totals and per game average
  * Rebounding avg was second in the A-10, just behind 8.5 from Dayton's [[https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/daron-holmesii-1.html|DaRon Holmes]]
  * PPG of 15.3 was second on the team ([[Josh Cohen]] 15.9), tenth in the A-10
  * Shot .624 from two-point territory, best of his career and much better than the .422 from 2022-23
  * NABC All-District Second Team((https://umassathletics.com/news/2024/3/19/mens-basketball-cross-and-cohen-earn-nabc-all-district-selection))
  * Pre-Season All-Atlantic 10 Third Team((https://umassathletics.com/news/2023/10/17/mens-basketball-matt-cross-named-to-preseason-all-atlantic-10-third-team-at-conference-media-day))
  * October: [[https://twitter.com/UMassMBB/status/1716512963237150946|A quick "get to know" video for Cross and Josh Cohen]]
  * Put up 19 & 5 in 20 minutes of work against [[game20231113_quinnipiac|Quinnipiac (11/13)]]
  * Snared a career high 16 rebounds against [[game20231117_harvard|Harvard (11/17)]].  Also scored 16 points, both numbers led the Minutemen
  * Set a new career high in scoring with 31 points against [[game20231122_central_connecticut|CCSU (11/22)]].  Also hauled in 9 rebounds, both numbers led the Minutemen.  Shot an impressive 11-13 from the floor
  * On November 28, Cross was leading the nation in Sports Reference's PER (Player Efficiency Rating)((https://twitter.com/collegebb_ref/status/1729603568435331482))
  * Led the team with 11 rebounds in the win over [[game20231202_south_florida|South Florida (12/2)]]
  * Shot 7-10 from the field and put up 17 points [[game20231206_towson|at Towson (12/6)]]
  * Tallied 14-6-5 in 27 minutes of work in the win over [[game20231209_lowell|UMass-Lowell (12/9)]]
  * Doubled-up [[game20231216_west_virginia|West Virginia (12/16)]] with 13 & 13, overcoming a 7 turnover night
  * Led UMass in points (17) and boards (9) in the loss [[game20231221_georgia_tech|vs Georgia Tech (12/21)]]
  * Put up 19-8-5 in the win over [[game20231222_portland|Portland (12/22)]]
  * Put up 14-7-5 in the win over [[game20231224_old_dominion|Old Dominion (12/24)]]
  * Swiped a career high 8, scored 24, pulled in 9 rebounds, and dished 5 assists in the win over [[game20231230_siena|Siena (12/30)]]
  * Tallied 15 & 8 in the win over [[game20240103_duquesne|Duquesne (1/3)]]
  * Led UMass in points (18) and boards (14) in the close game [[game20240107_dayton|at Dayton (1/7)]].  Early on in the game, Cross took a DaRon Holmes arm to the face((https://twitter.com/DavidPJablonski/status/1744193816217653559)) and lost most of a tooth.((https://twitter.com/carenburg92/status/1744154509671018639))((https://www.gazettenet.com/Matt-Cross-feels-right-at-home-with-UMass-men-s-basketball-Minutemen-53914976))  He still went on to play a total of 30 minutes
  * Rolled his ankle against [[game20240110_la_salle|La Salle (1/10)]] after putting up 6 & 4
  * Sat out the games [[game20240113_rhode_island|at Rhody (1/13)]], [[game20240117_loyola_chicago|at Lo-Chi (1/17)]], and [[game20240120_george_washington|GW (1/20)]], resting the ankle
  * Returned [[game20240123_saint_josephs|at Saint Joe's (1/23)]], coming off the bench and registering 12-9-4
  * Led UM with 19 points in the win [[game20240127_st_louis|at Saint Louis (1/27)]]
  * Article 2/2/24: [[https://www.gazettenet.com/Matt-Cross-feels-right-at-home-with-UMass-men-s-basketball-Minutemen-53914976|After years of moving around, Matt Cross has found a home at UMass; and the Minutemen have found their leader]]
  * February: [[https://www.youtube.com/live/Xwgi-cnmIeI?si=EAOr2dj9JHG1yAmL|Interview with The Field of 68]]
  * Tallied 9 and 9 versus George Mason (2/3), but racked up 7 turnovers in UM's narrow win over the Patriots
  * Led UM with 19 points [[game20240207_st_bonaventure|at St. Bonaventure (2/7)]]
  * Notched 10-7-6 and 3 steals in the win over [[game20240211_rhode_island|Rhode Island (2/11)]]
  * Led UM in points (16) and boards (13), and shot 8-9 from the line in UM's win [[game20240214_richmond|at Richmond (2/14)]]
  * Put up 15 & 8 in UM's narrow loss [[game20240217_la_salle|at La Salle (2/17)]]
  * Put up 18 points, shot 7-9 from the field, and snared a team-high 12 boards in the win over [[game20240220_vcu|VCU (2/20)]]
  * Shot 8-12, scored 17, rebounded 7 in the win [[game20240227_george_washington|at GW (2/27)]]
  * Shot 9-13 from the field and 8-10 from the line for 26 points in the win [[game20240302_davidson|at Davidson (3/2)]]
  * Tallied 15 & 9 in the Senior Night win over [[game20240306_fordham|Fordham (3/6)]]
  * Held to 2-9 shooting in the A-10 Tournament loss [[game20240314_vcu|vs VCU (3/14)]]

==== 2022-23 Season ====
{{ :cross_matt_roster_photo_2022-23.jpg?nolink&140|Matt Cross off-season roster photo 2022-23}}{{ :cross_matt_roster_photo2_2022-23.jpg?nolink&140|Matt Cross final roster photo 2022-23}}
  * Played in 25 of the season's 31 games, starting 23
  * Averaged 12.2 points per game, second on the team behind [[RJ Luis]] (13.4)
  * Led the team in rebounding with 6.3 rpg, which ranked 12th among the [[Atlantic 10]]
  * Was UM's leading scorer in 9 games
  * Article 3/11/23: [[https://www.gazettenet.com/Matt-Cross-wandering-brought-him-to-Frank-Martin-and-UMass-basketball-50232932|Cross’ basketball odyssey led him back home to UMass]] (Daily Hampshire Gazette)
  * Sustained a Grade 2 MCL injury sustained in the [[game20230214_loyola_chicago|2/14 game vs Loyola Chicago]].((https://twitter.com/JosephAliberti1/status/1628100352674263040))  Missed the next three games, returning to action in the Senior Day game with [[game20230304_st_bonaventure|St. Bonaventure (3/4)]], putting up 5 & 4 in 20 minutes
  * Put up 15 & 8 [[game20230211_la_salle|at La Salle (2/11)]]
  * Led UM with 17 points [[game20230208_fordham|at Fordham (2/8)]]
  * Missed the games against [[game20230128_duquesne|Duquesne (1/28)]] and [[game20230201_george_mason|at George Mason (2/1)]] with a nasty stomach bug that put him in the hospital.((https://dailycollegian.com/2023/02/matt-cross-has-gutsy-career-high-28-points-after-tumultuous-week/))  Returned with a vengeance, putting up a career-high 28 points, with 10-15 FG shooting, against [[game20230204_davidson|Davidson (2/4)]]
  * Tallied 16 & 8 in the win over [[game20230125_richmond|Richmond (1/25)]]
  * Put up two straight double-doubles, with 15 & 10 [[game20230117_vcu|at VCU (1/17)]] and 14 & 10 [[game20230121_saint_josephs|at Saint Joe's (1/21)]]
  * Led UM in both points (22) and rebounds (7, co-leader) in the win over [[game20230114_rhode_island|Rhode Island (1/14)]]
  * Tallied 13 & 9 versus [[game20230111_la_salle|La Salle (1/11)]]
  * Led UM with 9 rebounds against [[game20221220_dartmouth|Dartmouth (12/20)]], and put up 16 points
  * Led UM in points and rebounds, 19 & 13, versus [[game20221217_north_texas|North Texas (12/17)]]
  * Put up 19 points, with 8-8 shooting from the line, versus [[game20221208_lowell|UMass-Lowell (12/8)]]
  * Tallied a double-double, 15 & 14, versus [[game20221118_murray_state|Murray State (11/18)]]
  * Sat out the season opener against [[game20221107_central_connecticut|CCSU (11/7)]] with a slight toe injury.((https://twitter.com/MLBergman_/status/1589812819377065984))  Played in the next game vs [[game20221110_towson|Towson (11/10)]], logging 22 minutes off the bench, scoring 13 points (co-led the team)

===== Pre-UMass ======
==== Louisville (2021-22) =====
{{ ::cross_matt_roster_photo_2021-22.jpg?direct&150|Matt Cross, Louisville, 2021-22}}
  * Announced his commitment to Louisville on 2/25/21.((https://www.cardchronicle.com/2021/2/25/22302255/miami-sharpshooter-matt-cross-transferring-to-louisville))  Louisville announced it officially in mid-March.((https://www.cardchronicle.com/2021/3/17/22335967/louisville-basketball-officially-announces-addition-of-miami-transfer-matt-cross))
  * Double figure scorer in nine games in 2021-22, starting nine games for the Cardinals.
  * Third on the team in blocked shots with 14, including 11 in ACC games.
  * Produced his first career double-double against [[https://gocards.com/news/2022/2/1/mens-basketball-north-carolina-takes-down-louisville-in-frantic-ot-ending.aspx|North Carolina on Feb. 1]] with 13 points and a career-best 15 rebounds. Cross knocked down 3-of-5 three-pointers, his sixth game this season with multiple threes.
  * Made his first start of the season against [[https://gocards.com/news/2021/12/10/mens-basketball-jones-career-high-33-helps-depaul-defeat-louisville-62-55.aspx|DePaul (12/10)]], contributing 11 points and six rebounds.  He added 13 points and five rebounds vs. [[https://gocards.com/news/2021/12/14/mens-basketball-williams-double-double-leads-louisville-past-se-louisiana.aspx|Southeastern Louisiana (12/14)]], also in the starting lineup.
  * Contributed 13 points and a season-high seven rebounds [[https://gocards.com/news/2021/12/4/mens-basketball-cross-makes-clutch-plays-lifts-louisville-over-nc-state.aspx|at NC State (12/4)]], including a three-pointer with 28 seconds remaining to break the tie game. 
  * Scored eight points and grabbed five rebounds vs. [[https://gocards.com/news/2021/11/27/mens-basketball-louisville-tops-maryland-to-win-bahamas-championship.aspx|Maryland (11/27)]], including burying a three-pointer that pulled UofL from a three-point deficit late in the game.
  * Scored 14 points, making all four of his three-point attempts, to lead four Cardinals in double figures against [[https://gocards.com/news/2021/11/15/mens-basketball-cross-williamson-help-lead-louisville-past-navy-77-60.aspx|Navy (11/15)]].
  * Totaled 15 points, five rebounds, two steals and a blocked shot against [[https://gocards.com/news/2021/11/9/mens-basketball-louisville-pulls-away-from-southern-in-2nd-half-wins-72-60.aspx|Southern (11/9)]] to tie for 13th in scoring for a UofL debut.  Cross suffered a dislocated ring finger on his right hand, but returned to play with the finger taped.
  * [[https://gocards.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/matt-cross/12119|Roster page on GoCards.com]]
  * Opted to transfer out of Louisville after they cut ties with head coach [[wp>Chris Mack (basketball)|Chris Mack]].

==== Miami FL (2020-21) ====
{{ ::cross_matt_roster_photo_2020-21.jpg?direct&150|Matt Cross, Miami, 2020-21}}
  * Season did not count towards eligibility due to COVID-19 pandemic.
  * Appeared in the first 14 games, starting nine of them.
  * Averaged 6.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.  Added 20 assists, 11 steals and seven blocked shots in the season.
  * Set Miami’s ACC-era freshman 3-point percentage record with a 40.0 clip on 20-of-50 shooting.
  * Twice shot 4-of-6 from deep to tie for the fifth-best single-game mark by a Hurricane freshman in the ACC era.
  * Against [[https://miamihurricanes.com/news/2021/01/02/mbb-drops-66-65-heartbreaker-to-clemson/|Clemson (1/2)]], logged the most assists (seven) in a game by a Miami freshman since Chris Lykes on 3/3/18.
  * Third Miami freshman in the ACC era to start the season opener ([[https://miamihurricanes.com/news/2020/11/29/mbb-tops-north-florida-77-59-in-season-opener/|North Florida 11/29]]), including the first in seven years.
  * Scored in double figures four times, pulled down five-plus boards three times and reached five assists once.
  * Paced the Hurricanes in steals and blocks twice each, as well as points and assists once apiece.
  * Notched 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting to go along with seven rebounds and two blocks versus North Florida (11/29) in the opening game.
  * Scored 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting against [[https://miamihurricanes.com/news/2020/12/04/mbb-defeats-stetson-82-60/|Stetson (12/4)]].
  * Grabbed a season-high eight rebounds against [[https://miamihurricanes.com/news/2020/12/19/mbb-defeats-jacksonville-73-64/|Jacksonville (12/19)]].
  * Tallied 16 points, finishing 6-of-8 from the floor and 4-of-6 from deep, [[https://miamihurricanes.com/news/2020/12/29/mbb-comeback-bid-falls-short-at-no-24-virginia-tech/|at No. 24/RV Virginia Tech (12/29)]].  Also snared five rebounds and dished three assists.
  * Totaled nine points and a career-best seven assists in 31 minutes against Clemson (1/2).  The seven dimes were the most for a Miami freshman in three years.
  * Scored nine points in a career-best 32 minutes in the win [[https://miamihurricanes.com/news/2021/01/09/mbb-notches-64-59-road-win-at-nc-state/|at NC State (1/9)]].
  * Posted 16 points in the win over [[https://miamihurricanes.com/news/2021/01/16/mbb-stuns-no-16-18-louisville-78-72/|No. 16/18 Louisville (1/16)]], shooting 4-of-6 on 3-pointers and 4-of-4 at the line.  Also notched four rebounds and two assists.
  * Went scoreless in the games [[https://miamihurricanes.com/news/2021/01/19/mbb-drops-road-decision-at-syracuse/|at Syracuse (1/19)]] and at home vs [[https://miamihurricanes.com/news/2021/01/24/mbb-falls-to-notre-dame/|Notre Dame (1/24)]], shooting a combined 0-8 from the field.
  * Was a coach's decision DNP for the game at [[https://miamihurricanes.com/news/2021/01/27/mbb-falls-at-no-16-florida-state/|Florida State (1/27)]].
  * Miami announced the next day that Cross was no longer with the team.((https://twitter.com/CanesHoops/status/1354877168132698118))((https://www.stateoftheu.com/2021/1/28/22254988/miami-hurricanes-basketball-2021-season-matt-cross-dismissal-jim-larranaga-watsco-center))((https://caneswarning.com/2021/01/28/miami-basketball-dismissing-freshman-matt-cross-hinders-already-thin-roster/))((https://247sports.com/college/miami/Article/Miami-Hurricanes-basketball-freshman-PF-Matt-Cross-no-longer-on-the-team-after-not-playing-at-Florida-State-160096949/))  The Miami Herald reported "no serious disciplinary issues," but no further explanation was given by the school.((https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/college/acc/university-of-miami/article248839044.html))
  * [[https://miamihurricanes.com/sports/mbball/roster/season/2020-21/player/matt-cross/|Roster page on MiamiHurricanes.com]]

===== Statistics =====
^Season^School^Conf^G^GS^MP^MPG^FG^FGA^FG%^2P^2PA^2P%^3P^3PA^3P%^FT^FTA^FT%^PTS^PPG^ORB^DRB^TRB^RPG^AST^STL^BLK^TOV^PF^FO^SOS((Strength of Schedule, as measured by Sports-Reference.com.  "The rating is denominated in points above/below average, where zero is average.  Non-Division I games are excluded from the ratings."))^
|2020-21|Miami (FL)|ACC|14|9|370|26.4|35|78|.449|15|28|.536|20|50|.400|7|8|.875|97|6.9|15|34|49|3.5|20|11|7|21|22|0|7.75|
|2021-22|Louisville|ACC|28|9|537|19.2|56|146|.384|31|58|.534|25|88|.284|25|36|.694|162|5.8|35|73|108|3.9|13|17|14|33|56|0|7.01|
|2022-23|UMass|A-10|25|23|671|26.8|102|254|.402|76|180|.422|26|74|.351|74|93|.796|304|12.2|58|99|157|6.3|44|37|14|54|48|1|0.30|
|2023-24|UMass|A-10|28|27|844|30.1|149|276|.540|123|197|.624|26|79|.329|103|129|.798|427|15.3|69|162|231|8.3|85|41|9|68|60|0|0.88|
|Total|UMass|A-10|53|50|1515|28.6|251|530|.474|199|377|.528|52|153|.340|177|222|.797|731|13.8|127|261|388|7.3|129|78|23|122|108|1| |
|Career|Overall| |95|68|2422|25.5|342|754|.454|245|463|.529|97|291|.333|209|266|.786|990|10.4|177|368|545|5.7|162|106|44|176|186|1| |

From Sports-Reference.com: [[https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/matt-cross-1.html|Stats]], [[https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/matt-cross-1/gamelog/|Game Logs]]

===== Career highs =====
Through the 2023-24 season
^ ^UMass^Louisville^Miami (FL)^
|Points|**31 - [[game20231122_central_connecticut|Central CT (11/22/23)]]**|15 - vs [[https://gocards.com/news/2021/11/9/mens-basketball-louisville-pulls-away-from-southern-in-2nd-half-wins-72-60.aspx|Southern (11/9/21)]]|16 - twice, last vs [[https://miamihurricanes.com/news/2021/01/16/mbb-stuns-no-16-18-louisville-78-72/|Louisville (1/16/21)]]|
|Field Goals|**11 - [[game20231122_central_connecticut|Central CT (11/22/23)]]**|6 - vs [[https://gocards.com/news/2021/11/9/mens-basketball-louisville-pulls-away-from-southern-in-2nd-half-wins-72-60.aspx|Southern (11/9/21)]]|6 - [[https://miamihurricanes.com/news/2020/12/29/mbb-comeback-bid-falls-short-at-no-24-virginia-tech/|at VA Tech (12/29/20)]]|
|Field Goals Att.|**16 - [[game20221118_murray_state|vs Murray St. (11/18/22)]]**|14 - [[https://gocards.com/news/2022/1/24/mens-basketball-virginia-leads-wire-to-wire-to-hand-louisville-a-64-52-loss.aspx|at Virginia (1/24/22)]]|9 - vs [[https://miamihurricanes.com/news/2020/12/19/mbb-defeats-jacksonville-73-64/|Jacksonville (12/19/20)]]|
|3-Point FG|3 - five times, last [[game20240220_vcu|VCU (2/20/24)]]|**4 - vs [[https://gocards.com/news/2021/11/15/mens-basketball-cross-williamson-help-lead-louisville-past-navy-77-60.aspx|Navy (11/15/21)]]**|**4 - twice, last vs [[https://miamihurricanes.com/news/2021/01/16/mbb-stuns-no-16-18-louisville-78-72/|Louisville (1/16/21)]]**|
|3-Point FG Att.|6 - [[game20221118_murray_state|vs Murray St. (11/18/22)]]|**8 - [[https://gocards.com/news/2022/1/8/mens-basketball-florida-state-defeats-louisville-79-70.aspx|at Florida State (1/8/22)]]**|6 - twice, last vs [[https://miamihurricanes.com/news/2021/01/16/mbb-stuns-no-16-18-louisville-78-72/|Louisville (1/16/21)]]|
|:::|6 - [[game20230125_richmond|Richmond (1/25/23)]]|:::|:::|
|Free Throws|**12 - [[game20230114_rhode_island|Rhode Island (1/14/23)]]**|4 - [[https://gocards.com/news/2021/12/4/mens-basketball-cross-makes-clutch-plays-lifts-louisville-over-nc-state.aspx|at NC State (12/4/21)]]|4 - vs [[https://miamihurricanes.com/news/2021/01/16/mbb-stuns-no-16-18-louisville-78-72/|Louisville (1/16/21)]]|
|Free Throw Att.|**14 - [[game20230114_rhode_island|Rhode Island (1/14/23)]]**|6 - vs [[https://gocards.com/news/2022/1/19/mens-basketball-curry-returns-to-help-louisville-top-boston-college-67-54.aspx|Boston College (1/19/22)]]|4 - vs [[https://miamihurricanes.com/news/2021/01/16/mbb-stuns-no-16-18-louisville-78-72/|Louisville (1/16/21)]]|
|Rebounds|**16 - [[game20231117_harvard|Harvard (11/17/23)]]**|15 - vs [[https://gocards.com/news/2022/2/1/mens-basketball-north-carolina-takes-down-louisville-in-frantic-ot-ending.aspx|UNC (OT, 2/1/22)]]|8 - vs [[https://miamihurricanes.com/news/2020/12/19/mbb-defeats-jacksonville-73-64/|Jacksonville (12/19/20)]]|
|Assists|6 - [[game20240211_rhode_island|Rhode Island (2/11/24)]]|2 - three times, last vs [[https://gocards.com/news/2022/1/19/mens-basketball-curry-returns-to-help-louisville-top-boston-college-67-54.aspx|Boston College (1/19/22)]]|**7 - vs [[https://miamihurricanes.com/news/2021/01/02/mbb-drops-66-65-heartbreaker-to-clemson/|Clemson (1/2/21)]]**|
|Blocks|**2 - three times, last [[game20231122_central_connecticut|Central CT (11/22/23)]]**|**2 - three times, last vs [[https://gocards.com/news/2022/1/22/mens-basketball-irish-make-15-3-pointers-beat-louisville-82-70.aspx|Notre Dame (1/22/22)]]**|**2 - twice, last [[https://miamihurricanes.com/news/2021/01/19/mbb-drops-road-decision-at-syracuse/|at Syracuse (1/19/21)]]**|
|Steals|**8 - [[game20231230_siena|Siena (12/30/23)]]**|3 - vs [[https://gocards.com/news/2022/2/1/mens-basketball-north-carolina-takes-down-louisville-in-frantic-ot-ending.aspx|UNC (OT, 2/1/22)]]|2 - three times, last vs [[https://miamihurricanes.com/news/2021/01/16/mbb-stuns-no-16-18-louisville-78-72/|Louisville (1/16/21)]]|
|Minutes|38 - [[game20240211_rhode_island|Rhode Island (2/11/24)]]|**39 - vs [[https://gocards.com/news/2022/2/1/mens-basketball-north-carolina-takes-down-louisville-in-frantic-ot-ending.aspx|UNC (OT, 2/1/22)]]**|32 - [[https://miamihurricanes.com/news/2021/01/09/mbb-notches-64-59-road-win-at-nc-state/|at NC State (1/9/21)]]|

Current highs available at [[https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Matt-Cross/Bests/131889|RealGM.com]]

===== Post-UMass =====
  * Committed to play for [[wp>SMU Mustangs men's basketball|SMU]] in the 2024-25 season,((https://twitter.com/mcsnipes333/status/1786608332964348059)) as a graduate student((https://twitter.com/JamieShaw5/status/1780287589737537825))

===== High/Prep school =====
  * As an 8th grader, played and started for [[wp>St. Mary's High School (Lynn, Massachusetts)|Saint Mary's]].((https://lynnjournal.com/2015/12/31/st-marys-eighth-grader-matt-cross-named-boverini-tourney-mvp/))((https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRP2H049CXA))  Mary's won a state title in the 2015-16 season.((https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xwgi-cnmIeI&t=3s))  The following season, Cross and Saint Mary's reached the state finals.((https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xwgi-cnmIeI&t=3s))
  * Played at [[wp>Cushing Academy]] for one season, his high school sophomore year.((https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xwgi-cnmIeI&t=3s))
  * Averaged 13 points, eight rebounds and five assists per game as a junior at Woodstock (Conn.) Academy, helping his team to a conference title.  Played for coach Tony Bergeron, who went on to assistant coach at UMass in [[season_2019-20|2019-20]] and [[season_2020-21|2020-21]].((https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/high-schools/2019/01/20/tony-bergeron-has-put-woodstock-basketball-national-stage/))((https://www.305sports.net/matt-cross-game-is-more-than-shooting-hes-the-ultimate-competitor/))  Played with [[fernandes_noah|Noah Fernandes]], [[weeks_tj|TJ Weeks]], [[mitchell_tre|Tre Mitchell]], [[degray_ronnie|Ronnie DeGray]], and [[santos_preston|Preston Santos]].((https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzoygvz_0l0))
  * Averaged 18.6 points, 10.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game as a senior in helping Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, N.H. achieve a 37-3 record, a 2019-20 NEPSAC runner-up finish and a National Prep Championship title.
  * Ranked among the top 100 high school student-athletes in his 2020 recruiting class, including No. 86 in the ESPN 100, No. 93 in the 247Sports composite rankings, and No. 99 by Rivals.com.
  * Earned first team All-NEPSAC Class AAA honors.
  * Received an offer from [[Frank Martin]] and staff at [[opponent_south_carolina|South Carolina]].  Also received offers from [[opponent_florida|Florida]], [[opponent_butler|Butler]], [[wp>Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball|Iowa]], [[opponent_indiana|Indiana]], and [[wp>Texas A&M Aggies men's basketball|Texas A&M]].

===== Personal =====
  * Matthew Jacob Cross, born Feb. 21, 2001.
  * Son of Jim and Cyndi Cross.  Has an older brother, Nick, and an older sister, Jess.
  * His father played basketball at [[wp>Salem State Vikings|Salem (Mass.) State]] and his brother played basketball at [[opponent_florida_gulf_coast|Florida Gulf Coast]].
  * Majored in sport administration at Louisville.
  * Wears uniform number 33 because Hall of Famer [[wp>Larry Bird]] also wore that number.  Larry Bird and [[wp>Ray Lewis]] have had the greatest influence on his athletic career.((https://gocards.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/matt-cross/12119))
  * Best moment of his athletic career to date //(written in 2021)// was scoring the game-winning basket with three seconds remaining at [[wp>TD Garden]] in the semifinals of the Massachusetts Division 4 state semifinal for St. Mary’s High School in Lynn, Mass.
  * Suffered a compound fracture in his right leg playing football in high school on Dec. 16, 2016 as a ninth-grader playing for St. Mary’s in the 2016 Division 3A Super Bowl at [[wp>Gillette Stadium]] and lost about a year of competition, missing his ninth grade season of basketball.
  * When playing basketball as a kid, he pretended he was always hitting the game-winning shot.((https://gocards.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/matt-cross/12119))
  * Enjoys playing video games, watching movies and listening to music in his spare time.
  * Feels [[wp>Jack Nicholson]] would be the best actor to play him in a movie.((https://gocards.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/matt-cross/12119))
  * Would most like to meet [[wp>Marcus Luttrell]].((https://gocards.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/matt-cross/12119))

==== Favorites ====
//Per his [[https://gocards.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/matt-cross/12119|Louisville bio]]//

  * Basketball Player: Larry Bird
  * NBA Team: no particular team
  * Athlete, other than a basketball player:  Ray Lewis, Rob Gronkowski
  * Movies: Lone Survivor, American Sniper, Forrest Gump, Wolf of Wall Street
  * TV Shows: Game of Thrones, Naruto
  * Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio
  * Website: YouTube
  * Instagram Follow: @margotrobbie
  * Musical Group/Singer: George Strait, Rod Wave
  * TV Sports Personality: Marshawn Lynch
  * Food: breakfast
  * Midnight Snack: oatmeal
  * Vacation Spot:  Bahamas

===== External links =====
  * Twitter: [[https://twitter.com/mcsnipes33|@mcsnipes33]]
  * Instagram: [[https://www.instagram.com/mattcross33/|@mattcross33]]

{{tag>"Players" "Jersey # 33" "Forwards" "Players from Massachusetts" "Played for Frank Martin" "Transfers Incoming" "Louisville" "Miami (FL)" "Born in 2001" "Prep School Brewster Academy" "Prep School Woodstock Academy" "Transfers Outgoing"}}